THE SECRET OF PLATFORM 13
BY
EVA IBBOTSON
Summary….….………………………………2
About the Author………………………..3
Book Reviews……………………………….5
Discussion Questions…………………..6
Author Interview………………………….7
Further Reading…………………………..8
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SUMMARY
WANTED: Four curious characters for one risky mission
Hidden under Platform 13 in King's Cross Station is a gump, a secret
entrance to another world. This doorway opens only for nine days
every nine years. During those nine days, beings are free to come and
go between our world and a magical Island, where fantastic creatures
and humans live together sensibly and peacefully, shrouded from view
by the hazy clouds created by lovable animals known as mistmakers.
When the infant prince of the Island is kidnapped to our world by the
unpleasant Mrs. Trottle, a strange band of rescuers is assembled nine
years later to bring him back, and a fast-paced tale of magic,
mayhem, and mistaken identity ensues. At first the rescuers are
delighted to meet Ben, a sweet boy who could be the prince in spite of
his lowly status in the Trottle house. But it soon becomes apparent
that the real prince must be Raymond, the Trottles' rather obnoxious,
spoiled son. Raymond, however, has no interest in leaving his
pampered life for a mystical island. One of the rescuers, a young hag
named Odge Gribble, is a tough, no-nonsense type who is determined
on success. What she doesn't expect is that, in the end, she'll care
much more about being a friend than a hero.
Honors
3
Beehive Children's Fiction Book
Award
School Library Journal Best
Books
http://www.penguinputnam.com/static/rguides/us/eva_ibbotson.html
from PenguinPutnam.com
(Accessed 8/2/05)
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ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Eva Ibbotson
Eva Ibbotson was born in Vienna, Austria, in the
years before World War II. Her mother was a
playwright and her father a scientist, but the
marriage was unhappy and they soon went their
separate ways. Eva's early childhood was spent
shuttling back and