Jim Starling facts for kids
Jim Starling is the main character in a series of seven adventure books written by Edmund Wallace Hildick. These books are about the exciting lives of four close friends: Jim, Terry, Nip, and Goggles. They call themselves the Last Apple Gang. All the boys go to a secondary modern school for boys in a town called "Smogbury" in the north of England. Each book has a main story, like when the boys travel to London to watch Burnley FC play in the 1962 FA Cup Final in Jim Starling Goes To Town (1963). The books also have smaller stories, often involving a friendly rivalry with a teacher or another group of kids.
Contents
The Jim Starling Book Series
The Jim Starling books were published between 1958 and 1963. They tell different stories about the Last Apple Gang's adventures.
Here are the books in the order they were published:
- Jim Starling (1958)
- Jim Starling and the Agency (1958)
- Jim Starling and the Colonel (1960)
- Jim Starling's Holiday (1960)
- Jim Starling Takes Over (1963)
- Jim Starling and the Spotted Dog (1963)
- Jim Starling Goes To Town (1963)
These books haven't been printed since 1971, so they might be harder to find today.
What Are the Books About?
Each book focuses on a new adventure or challenge for Jim and his friends. They often explore themes like friendship, loyalty, and growing up. The stories show what life was like for young people in northern England during the time the books were written.
The Last Apple Gang's Adventures
The gang often finds themselves in interesting situations. For example, in Jim Starling Goes To Town, they take a big trip to London. This trip is a huge adventure for them, showing how they handle new places and challenges together.
Friendly Rivalries and Challenges
A common part of the stories is the boys dealing with disagreements. Sometimes it's with a teacher at their school. Other times, it's with another group of kids their age. These challenges often teach the boys important lessons about working together and standing up for themselves.
How People Felt About the Books
When the Jim Starling books were popular, people had different opinions about them. They were often found in the children's sections of public libraries.
Praise for Realism
Some readers really liked the books because they showed a very real picture of childhood. They felt the stories were honest about what it was like to grow up in a working-class area. This is sometimes called social realism.
Concerns About Stereotypes
However, other people thought the books might have made working-class children seem too much alike. They worried that the characters might have been based on stereotypes, which are oversimplified ideas about a group of people. Despite these different views, the books offered many young readers exciting stories about friendship and adventure.
