"Rasmus and the Vagabond" Book Review and Giveaway

Have you ever read a book that was so delightful you turned around and read it again? "Rasmus and the Vagabond" did that for me.

I average two books a week. I don't have time to reread anything. But for "Rasmus and the Vagabond", I made an exception. This book is intended for perhaps 8 to 14 year olds but the writing is so lovely that as soon as I finished reading it, I called my family together and said, "I'm going to read this to you." We've only made it to chapter 3 so far but already they're hooked too.

The author, Astrid Linden, also wrote the well known story of Pippi Longstocking. (Don't you now feel so well-informed) To be truthful, I never read that one but now, seeing as how I liked this one so much, I might just have to pick up a copy of it.

The only caution I have about "Rasmus and the Vagabond", which is a tale about an orphan who runs away from the orphanage in search of parents, is that it romanticizes running away. I recognize that this is a fictious book intended for youngsters and therefore tales of abuse and drugs is hardly appropriate, but all the same, I couldn't help but wonder if this book might in fact encourage running away. I suppose it could serve as a springboard for conversation between you and your child.

There is one spot where the runaway and the vagabond talk about ghosts but it only lasts for a few lines and there is some mild violence as they come into contact with robbers. On the whole, I would feel comfortable putting this into the hands of any child since the violence is not glorified and the ghosts aren't made a big deal of.

If you have an 8 to 14 year old, "Rasmus and the Vagabond" would make a lovely read aloud. The first three chapters have already made my kids laugh and wanting more. (They are aged 12, 13 and 15)

So if you want a free copy - as in TOTALLY FREE, leave a comment below. The winner will have a copy mailed to them at no charge straight from the publisher. Good luck. Draw will be made February 19th, 2015.


"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”