The Hidden Stairs And The Magic Carpet (1999) - Plot & Excerpts
Quite a few people knocked the Spiderwick Chronicles series of children's books for splitting what was ostensibly one novel into multiple volumes, but as you know from my reviews, I think it was a good choice in that it broke the story up into smaller chunks for more junior readers. Tony Abbott has completely trumped that with The Secrets of Droon series, which is spread across forty-four volumes. Each one is about sixty pages long (not counting illustrations), and tells the story of three kids who discover an entrance to an alternative universe. The gate to the world opens at times of great need, forming a rainbow staircase leading down into a world/kingdom called Droon, which is perpetually locked in a battle between good (in the form of the benign magical rulers) and evil (in the form of a dark wizard Lord Sparr). In each story, the kids - none of whom, refreshingly, are either orphans or children of divorced parents - arrive in each story to discover the nature of the problem, assist in the solution of the problem in some way, and then return to our universe again. This structure is both good and bad, depending on your outlook in the moment. It's good, because it very closely resembles the way that young kids create their own stories when playing together: the stories are fantastical, there's scary stuff but the threat of violence is rarely realized (and often defeated by kids' methods, such as throwing snowballs), and the resolution comes very quickly. The flip side of it is that it's bad, because the stories can feel very contrived in a 22-minute-TV-episode way: the story starts, develops and resolves so quickly it beggars belief. Why do they have to return home at the end of every story? Maybe they don't in later stories - at this point I've only read the first five - but with my adult hat on, it's problematic. But seeing it from the kids' point of view, it is very reassuring that there's no significant or long-lasting character development: the trips to Droon are like trips to Mr. Rogers' "Land of Make Believe" (or any recurring setting when children "play pretend").This first book introduces us to the characters: Eric (the primary protagonist, portrayed with glasses), Neal (the goofy kid), Julie (the sporty girl), Princess Keeah (presumably pronounced Kia - the beautiful and magically gifted daughter of King Zello, rightful ruler of Droon), Galen Longbeard (what else could he be but a Gandalf character?), Max (another comic relief character: a troll doll with the body of a spider, Galen's dogsbody), the Ninns (orange-skinned orcs), and Lord Sparr (evil wizard bent on conquering Droon). Here's what happens: (view spoiler)[the kids descend the rainbow stairs to a forest, where they both meet Princess Keeah and are beset by Ninns flying on groggles (essentially dragons with silly names instead of fire). Keeah assures the kids that Galen the wizard can find a way to return them home, gives them directions to find his tower, and gives a note to deliver to Galen. Then she leads the Ninns on a merry chase so the kids can escape. The message is a bit of backwards writing - a nice touch for early readers, particularly as the kids in the story can't decipher it and young readers probably can. The kids stumble across the invisible tower, meet spider-troll Max, who leads them to see Galen. Galen translates the message and warns King Zello of an impending attack to the capitol city. Then he scrys that Keeah has been captured. Galen gives the kids an invisibility cloak and sends them with Max to rescue Keeah while he rushes to assist the King. With the cloak, the kids are able to sneak up to the forbidden city of Plud. Lord Sparr drives a big fancy car to the gate, and the three sneak in behind it. They manage to find Keeah, but then Lord Sparr catches them, takes Keeah's magic pouch, and transforms it back into its original form: the Red Eye of Dawn, a powerful ancient artifact that imparts control of the classic Elements. Max arrives and distracts the Ninn guards so that the kids can run for it. They find their way to a storage room, find a flying carpet, and fly out of Plud on the carpet. They go to the hills, where the rainbow stairs have reappeared. Keeah promises that they will meet again, and the kids return home to our world. (hide spoiler)]
It's hard to know what to say about these books. As an adult I found them cheesy and laughable. I mean on the first page he spells dryer, drier. But and I do mean but...There is also another side to these. For my first grade reader they seem to be the perfect length. He gets tired easily and reading out loud can't last too long if you want to promote reading. These books seem the perfect length and there seems to be just enough action and adventure to encourage him to get to the end of the chapter, which is also an important reading milestone. So, in some ways I find them absolute perfection and feel a small need to give them five stars. All my kids have liked them and if you are serious about raising a reader, you can't take these books seriously enough.Also, I wonder if parents get how important chapter books are for comprehension? It is such a great way to get kids to remember multiple people and places. Last night I asked, "Now who are these guys? And what happened last night?" In giving me his own little oral chapter report, I was able to tell that he is totally getting it and following the story beautifully. I remember a parent in our neighborhood punishing their child because their comprehension was low. I can't tell you how idiotic I find this style of parenting because how does a child improve their own comprehension? Um, they can't! Only parents can do that through guided reading and finding the right books for them. Comprehension takes work and kids need to feel like it is fun. Enough said.
What do You think about The Hidden Stairs And The Magic Carpet (1999)?
Listen, folks, this is no Roald Dahl. This is not good writing. But here's the thing – my 3rd grader can, and does, devour them completely on her own. In terms of story, these books seem to be a cross between Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter, but they are written on what I would guess to be a second grade reading level, and there is very little tension or character development (what little tension exists is resolved quickly). That is to say, like most modern young reader chapter books, these books are simplistic, predictable, and undeveloped. So when I read aloud to my daughter, I read her things like The Hobbit or The Witch of Blackbird Pond or A Wrinkle in Time. But when she reads to herself, guess what – I don't have to slog through the books! Thanks now to the magical world of Droon, I just put her to bed at 7 PM instead of 8 PM, and I get an extra uninterrupted hour of quiet, free time while she remains happily preoccupied reading in bed. So maybe I do find these books a little insipid (but I've read kids books that are even MORE insipid, believe you me), but apparently she doesn't. I'm all for books my kid WANTS to read on her own. And for that alone, I give this series four stars. She's on 13 right now. Whether her interest will last through all 40 or not, I don't know, but I'm glad for it at the moment.
—Skylar Burris
I must admit I was leary of starting this book. It is hard to imagine starting a new series with over 40 books in it that was started 16 years ago. I feared loving the book and being hooked for the whole series. And as much as I love most of Tony Abbott's books that I have read I also feared not liking it and being disappointed. With mixed feelings I must say it is the first. I now have a much bigger to read pile thanks to venturing into the world of Droon.I find I go through spurts reading middle grade, young adult, and non-fiction almost alternately. I am really glad I picked up this book. My oldest two children are just at the point where they can read these books to me. It has been really fun going back and reading some of Tony Abbott's earlier works now that they are showing up in ebook formats. This book though simple, was very enjoyable and I know my children will love it. And the benefit is that being part of a finished series they will not have to wait for new books to come out.This is an interesting fantasy story. For when Julie, Neal, and Eric are cleaning the basement they discover that when the door under the stairs is closed a set of steps appear leading down, those steps lead to another realm, the realm of Droon. They soon realize that Droon is a place in turmoil and after encountering red shiny men, flying lizards, And angry wizard named Sparr and some other fantastical creatures, and a princess that needs their help. And much more. Overall a great little read.This was the 16th book by Tony Aboott that I have read out of his 100 published. It was a fun read and I look forward to where the series will go next. So give it a try and see, you just might fall in love with Droon also!Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More with links to reviews of other books by Tony. As well as an author profile and interview with Tony Abbott.
—Steven R. McEvoy
2nd-4th gradeThe story introduces us Eric, Julie and Neal who are best friends who discover a magical staircase that just appears under Eric's basement stairs. As they cautiously creep down the stairs the enter the mysterious land of Droon. This book is very fast paced full of magic, fantasy and adventure. There is a lot of white space with an occasional picutre. The paragraphs are 3 to 4 sentences and the sentences are short. The typeface is medium-large. Children would enjoy this book because it would bring them into the world of make believe.Language Arts/ArtStudents could draw their version of the magical staircase.
—Janice Villwock
