The Silver Crown

I first read this book when I was 10 years old - the same age as the heroine, Ellen. I continued to check it out from my small town library over the years until I graduated and left home at 18. The bits and pieces I retained in my memory were tantalising... an independent, strong-willed girl; a boy, rather wild and untamed; a CROWN, omigosh, it made her a princess, couldn't that happen to me?? And, of course, the all-controlling Hieronymus Machine, with its ebony streets and handsome, albeit evil king. But was the king truly evil, or just an unwitting pawn? This book has some mature themes, of which parents should be aware. There is a fire that appears to have destroyed her entire family. There is a description of a murder to which Ellen is an eyewitness. She accepts a ride from a stranger who turns out to be the murderer. There is a journey on her own that exposes her to danger and hardship. I was, as were my children, mature for my age and gobbled it up like candy. It may be a little dark and unnerving for some kids. If you feel your child can separate fantasy from reality, then I highly recommend this book as an introduction to reading a more challenging book then the pablum that is typical for this age. I swore that if I could find this book, I would retype it and post it on my website for everyone to read. When I finally did find it, I paid 150.00 for it. Two months later, it was re-issued!! Oh, well. My children, then ages 13 & 11, had also fallen in love with it, so I got them each a hardback. My son bought 6 paperbacks (out of his OWN money) and donated them to his Lit teacher's class so it would always be available. This is one of my all-time favourite books, which is saying a lot because I read books like most people eat lunch.

My mother gave me this book as something to help pass the time between the fifth and sixth Harry Potter books (my searches are almost always in vain, however) When I first saw the book, I expected nothing more than your average fantasy novel...villian that doesn't do much, hero that has serious problems, clueless sidekicks. But I was surprised. For one, by the third chapter into the book, I was intrigued. Despite what I thought to be a very abrupt jolt into the plot line (second page of the book, believe it or not) I was not disappointed; the plot, although mainly quite twistless, kept you wanting to read more. The main character is someone most girls, preteens and early teens can feel comfortable reading about...namely, she's anything but perfect. The research behind the villian(s) was very well done, and I can't give this book anything less than an A+. Well done!

I first read this in elementary school and the story remains with me now 18 years later. I have been searching for this book for quite some time now and am absolutely delighted to find that this book had such an impact on others as it did myself. Every time I am in a bookstore I check to see if it is available, and for the longest time I was sure I had the title wrong. I have been scouring the internet today for any trace of it and this was my last ditch effort. It is a real shame that this wonderful story is out of print.

I remember reading a book called The Silver Crown in third grade, and it's one of the most vivid memories I have of any book that I read as a child. I thought I must have been the only person that remembers it, but judging from the comments here, it struck a chord with a great many of us. It was one of those books that you feel a bit of a letdown once you finish, since there's no more of it to read. I remember a girl (Julie?) in search of her family, whom she believes is dead. The ensuing adventure, in which she meets a boy, finds a castle-like building (I remember having to look up the word 'corrider' as a youngster), was a magical trip through the imagination that has helped fuel my passion for reading books to this day. If anybody can find a copy of this book, I highly recommend it for pre-teens. I'd love to find it for my children!