Swallowdale facts for kids
Typical cover art depicting a montage of Arthur Ransome's own illustrations from the book
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| Author | Arthur Ransome |
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| Cover artist | Arthur Ransome |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Swallows and Amazons |
| Genre | Children's books |
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape |
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Publication date
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1931 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover & Paperback) |
| ISBN | 978-1-56792-421-3 (David R. Godine, Publisher: paperback, 1986, 2010) |
| Preceded by | Swallows and Amazons |
| Followed by | Peter Duck |
Swallowdale is an exciting adventure book for children by the English writer Arthur Ransome. It was first published in 1931. This story is about the Walker children, known as the Swallows, and the Blackett sisters, called the Amazons. They go camping in the hills and moorland around a beautiful lake. The Blacketts' Great Aunt Maria causes some trouble for them. Swallowdale is the second book in the popular Swallows and Amazons series. It comes after Swallows and Amazons and before Peter Duck. Arthur Ransome lived in the Lake District and used his own experiences there to write the book. He often climbed a mountain called Old Man of Coniston, which becomes "Kanchenjunga" in the story.
Contents
The Story of Swallowdale
Return to the Lake
The Swallows return to Wild Cat Island for their summer holiday. They find the Amazons and their uncle, Captain Flint, having a hard time. Great Aunt Maria has come to stay. She is very strict and wants the Amazon pirates to act like "young ladies." She expects them to be on time for all meals. One day, the girls watch a hound trail and forget the time. They miss three meals and know they are in big trouble.
A Sunken Boat and New Plans
Even with Great Aunt Maria around, Nancy and Peggy manage to sneak away. They plan to meet the Swallows. But on their way, the Swallow boat hits Pike Rock and sinks! Everyone is safe, and the boat is pulled out of the water. However, it needs repairs, so camping on the island is not possible. John, the "Captain" of the Swallows, learns important lessons about leading a ship. He thinks about the accident while making a new mast for the Swallow.
A new camping spot is found by Roger and Titty. They discover a beautiful hidden valley called Swallowdale. It is located high up on the moors above the lake.
Adventures in Swallowdale
In Swallowdale, the Swallows find a secret cave and a small lake with trout. They also discover a tricky path they call the "knickerbockerbreaker." They have many new adventures exploring the Lakeland area. They meet local woodcutters and farmers. They also watch a hound trail and hike across the moors.
The Amazons can only escape to join the fun sometimes. When they get home late, they are punished by having to learn and recite poetry. Eventually, Great Aunt Maria leaves. This allows the Swallows and Amazons to plan a big trip. They decide to sleep under the stars on top of a nearby hill they call "Kanchenjunga." This hill is actually The Old Man of Coniston. While there, they find a small box with a coin. The Blackett's parents and uncle had left it there thirty years earlier after climbing the "Matterhorn."
Lost in the Fog
The next morning, Roger and Titty walk back to Swallowdale. They follow trails through the bracken across the moor. Meanwhile, the older children take the Amazons' camping gear by boat. Both groups get lost in a sudden, thick fog. When the fog lifts, the older children arrive at the camp to find it empty. Titty arrives later, having hitched a ride with some woodsmen. She explains that Roger sprained his ankle and is staying the night with Old Billy, the charcoal burner. The next day, Roger is carried back to camp on a stretcher.
The Race and the Feast
Finally, the Swallow boat is repaired. The book ends with an exciting boat race and a big feast. After their adventures, everyone returns to Wild Cat Island.
