The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place

"I prefer not to" those are the words of Margaret Rose Kane she says them every time she is asked to do a summer camp activity. Actually she doesn't really want to be at this summer camp at all but she is forced to while her parents are in Peru. The summer camp experience would not last for long though as her uncles come and rescue her from the apprehensive camp director and the cruel cabin mates. They bring her back to their exquisite house at 19 Schuyler Place. This story takes place in the year of 1983 when many things happen. For example Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space but in the town of Epiphany something even more exciting is happening! As you know the main character in this book is Margaret Rose Kane who also is the one who is telling the story. Some other main characters are her uncles Alexander Rose and Morris Rose. Also there is the camp director, the very strict Mrs. Kaplan and her son Jake Kaplan. Jake isn't as bad as his mother and actually helps Margaret. Some final important characters are Margaret's cabin mates, Peter Vanderwaal and Loretta Bevilaqua who also help Margaret. When you read this book you will instantly get hooked. After Margaret gets home from her awful camp experience she learns why her uncles did really want her to stay with them. In the uncles back yard they have everything from peppers to roses but most of all 3 amazing towers that the uncles have been building for the past 45 years. The towers were made of steel and they were built like a network of ribs which cast more light than shadow, almost like a spider web. All of the towers also had rungs on them, from each rung hung thousands of chips of glass and shards from porcelain and the inner workings of old clocks. They were of all different colors and different sizes making each and every one of them unique. Margaret is appalled to find out that the city has demanded that the tower must come down because they are not safe and could fall in something like a wind storm and damage property. Margaret is astonished by this and tries to do everything it takes to save the towers even if she needs a little help. This book had many good scenes and in my personal opinion was one of the greatest books I have ever read. It could go into a little more detail though. Also in the very end of the book I think it should have explained a little more about what she was doing. This book could definitely have a sequel. All in all this is a must read book for any age. It's a great book that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time you're reading it. I would recommend this book to anybody because it is an all around book that anybody would enjoy!

Margaret Rose Kane's Uncle Alex said that "you couldn't stop history from happening because the entire past tense is history." But Margaret Rose had a plan. ad she was ready to change history. Twelve year-old Margaret Rose Kane "prefered not to" go to summer camp, and so when her uncle Alex comes and saves her from the dreaded Camp Taquela, her real summer adventures begin. This book is full of wit. I have read From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, also written by E.L. Konigsburg and The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place is the better one by far. This book has a very difficult vocabulary, so I recommend it mostlly for girls 12 and older. If you love an interesting and suspenseful book, then GO FOR IT!

Having first read OUTCASTS last October (My review is online at RichiesPicks) I laughed and cried my way through it for the third time today. In the way that I knew immediately upon reading them that BUD NOT BUDDY and HOLES would be Newbery Medal winners, I am confident that this literary masterpiece will at least earn a Newbery Honor next January, will gain dozens of state awards over the next 3 or 4 years, and will be taught in classrooms all over the place. Yes, it's THAT good. Packed with enough humor, heart, and mischievousness for a dozen books, THE OUTCASTS OF 19 SCHUYLER PLACE becomes the yardstick by which I'll measure 2004. Richie Partington

This book sings! You will be able to hear songs of true courage, friendship, and hope. I highly recommend it for people of all ages who love words and marvels. I was enthralled by every character and every page.E.L. Konigsburg is one of the greatest writers on this planet, no doubt for her perfect language and ability to touch your heart and mind. A real gem.

Respected author E. L. Konigsburg is in fine form and high spirits in this latest book. While the characters are witty and sure to appeal to readers who often find themselves on the fringes of society, the real strong point of the book is its message. The first matter handled here is the need to be an individual. Margaret, as well as much of the cast, prefers to march to her own beat and is capable of handling the pressure. This theme runs as an undercurrent, something that is taken for granted rather than presented as the leading difficulty. The second major theme is the purpose or 'apurpose' of art. Taking a page from Wilde, Konigsburg proudly stands up for all art- art in school, art at home, art in public- as being quite useless and beautiful for it. While once or twice almost getting weighed down in expansive speeches, this theme shines through. The third and most subtle theme is one of life. It took me a while to realize what about this book was so stunning and it is that unlike most books, 'Outcasts' recognizes that no event or set of events can ever make life perfect. Regardless of the Towers' fate (I wouldn't dare tell you), Margaret's life goes on. People hurt one another, people change, people die and nothing can alter that. But it is art and the experience of a life lived artfully that can make all things bearable. Many books tell children that by overcoming some obstacle, everything that goes wrong in life can be fixed. Konigsburg teaches here that while much can be fixed, life will never be without struggle. And that it is how you live your life that makes the difference. For that reason, I think the book makes a wonderful read and a stong candidate for 2004. 'Outcasts' is a thing of beauty- from its glorious cover art to the detailed craft of the writing and it has certainly set the standard for any books premiering this coming year.