The Silver Pencil

by Patricia Ward

The silver pencil Ann finds on the beach writes secret messages that lead to adventure.
Published in the USA as The Secret Pencil.

Genres: Childrens

Unknown Binding

First published December 1, 1959

Reviews

[CLM · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a long time I tried to remember this book and kept ending up with The Silver Pencil by Alice Dalgliesh, which seems quite dull in contrast and which I knew was not the right book. I was so pleased to find this one again.

This book is about 9 year old Anna, spending the summer holidays in Wales with her beloved Uncle Robert. When her older brothers go off without her, she goes down to the beach and finds a mysterious silver pencil. Enjoying her secret find, she later sits down and is about to start writing when "the pencil gave a sort of wriggling jump in her hand and began to write, moving very fast across the paper and making big scrawling letters. It stopped as suddenly as it had begun and Anna, looking at the paper, saw that right at the top was something that seemed like an enormous capital S and underneath was written, 'Hallo, girl!'"

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A summer at the seashore yields many adventures, starting with the discovery of a pencil that leads first to a new friend, and then into buried treasure, gypsies, and a new friend.

This is absolutely everything that I adore about vintage children's adventure books. The kids are expected to have adventures, and let loose to enjoy summer at the seashore almost entirely on their own. Add in a new friend, a touch of magic in the form of a silver pencil that 'knows' things no one possibly could and this book becomes absolute perfection.

I wish like crazy that Patricia Ward had written other books, but this appears to be the only one that I have found mention of anywhere. It's a shame because this is a family I would have liked to have seen more of. Give me another dozen books to embrace and I would be happy indeed.

Overall, if you chance across this book, then grab it if you can. It was just that good.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written in 1959 and concerns a magic pencil. Anna finds a silver pencil in a cave that writes messages to her secretly. The reader early on figures that the pencil is linked to another generation and keeps reading to learn the outcome. The pencil does just what it is meant to do- give a little girl some confidence and a little boy friendship. Some elements of this children's book that I love is that it takes place in Wales, has some magical elements, and includes some imaginative characters. I wish there was a sequel.

[Jonathan Shearing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew the author of this book though I was very young at the time. Lady Patricia Ward lived in Chevington, Suffolk and then Bampton, Oxfordshire. We shared the same birthday and I was staying with her in Bampton for our birthday (my 10th) when this book had just been published. I remember her delight when she received a royalty cheque and she took me to Oxford to buy a birthday present, a train set. I had a signed copy of the book which sadly disappeared during one of my family's clear outs but I've just bought it again for the memory.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book that I remember absolutely loving as a kid. I think the mystery and intrigue fascinated a kid who was hungry for adventure.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

About a pencil that was magic. Very good and think kids probably like.

[Karen]

Another childhood favorite.