The Young Unicorns facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Madeleine L'Engle |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Austin family |
| Genre | Young adult Thriller Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Farrar, Straus & Giroux |
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Publication date
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1968 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 245 |
| ISBN | 0-374-38778-8 |
| OCLC | 37826409 |
| Preceded by | The Moon by Night |
| Followed by | A Ring of Endless Light |
The Young Unicorns is an exciting mystery book written by Madeleine L'Engle. It was published in 1968. This book is part of the popular Austin family series. It takes place between the stories of The Moon by Night and A Ring of Endless Light.
Unlike other Austin family books, this one focuses on a family friend. His name is Josiah "Dave" Davidson. The story is full of suspense and adventure.
Contents
What's the Story About?
The Austin family has moved to a new apartment in New York City. They quickly make new friends. These friends include Emily Gregory, a talented blind pianist. Josiah "Dave" Davidson helps Emily get around the city.
Emily is learning piano from Mr. Emmanuel Theotocopulous, also known as Mr. Theo. Meanwhile, Canon Tallis arrives at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. He is a wise and helpful priest.
The Austin children and their friends find a strange "Genie" in a junk shop. Soon, they are pulled into a big mystery. This mystery involves the Genie and a street gang called the Alphabats. The local bishop also starts acting very strangely.
Dave and Suzy Austin are not sure about the Genie. But the others are more open to the idea. Canon Tallis notices the Alphabats are acting very organized. He talks to Dave and Dr. Wallace Austin about it.
Dr. Austin has been working on a special laser called the Micro-Ray. This ray is super precise. It can do more than just pass through things. Dave used to be part of the Alphabats gang. He tries to forget his past.
The Alphabats try to get Dave to join their new plans. The person behind all this mischief is the Bishop himself. The Genie seems to be the Bishop's helper. The Genie also appears to have a Micro-Ray.
It turns out the Bishop has lost hope for the world. He wants to control everyone. He thinks this will stop bad things from happening. His Genie, Hythloday, uses the Micro-Ray to control the Alphabats.
The ray makes people feel very good and makes them want to obey. The Alphabats do what the Bishop wants. They hope to get more of this good feeling.
Eventually, Rob Austin is captured by the bad guys. Vicky and Emily follow him to the Cathedral. Vicky's family, Canon Tallis, and Mr. Theotocopulous join them. Together, they uncover the truth.
The "Bishop" is actually his brother, an actor named Henry Grandcourt. They stop his plans to take over. They also reveal Hythloday is a dishonest scientist named Dr. Hyde. The Micro-Ray is taken away. Dave finally accepts his past and looks forward to his future. He realizes his friends are like family.
Meet the Characters
Josiah "Dave" Davidson
Dave is a teenager who has had some tough times. He is the son of a carpenter. He used to be in a gang, but he also sang in a choir. Dave is a good friend to the Austin children. He often helps Emily.
Emily Gregory
Emily is the only child of Dr. Gregory. She became blind in a mysterious way. She is learning to live with her blindness. But she is still in danger.
Vicky Austin
Vicky is the main character in other Austin family books. She loves poetry and writing. She is the second oldest of four children. Her older brother, John, is away at college. Vicky sometimes argues with her younger sister, Suzy.
Vicky is 15 years old in this story. She feels a bit lonely in the big city. She considers Emily her first true best friend.
Suzy Austin
Suzy is often seen as the pretty one in the family. She wants to be a doctor. She likes science and facts more than fantasy. Suzy is close in age to Emily. She sometimes feels a little jealous that Vicky is Emily's best friend.
Rob Austin
Rob is the youngest Austin child. He is seven years old. He is very curious and loving. He often asks smart questions. Rob's trusting nature gets him into trouble in this book.
Canon Tom Tallis
Canon Tallis is an Episcopal priest. He is a direct and smart man. He is also very good at handling dangerous situations. Canon Tallis appears in four of L'Engle's books.
Emmanuele Theotocopoulos (Mr. Theo)
Mr. Theo is Emily's elderly piano teacher. He is very excitable. He is an old friend of Canon Tallis. He is also the cathedral's semi-retired organist. Mr. Theo is very protective of Emily and the Austins. He sometimes has temper tantrums, but he truly cares for them.
Where Does the Story Happen?
The main place where the story happens is the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. This is a large Episcopal church in New York City. Madeleine L'Engle, the author, worked there for many years. She wrote The Young Unicorns during this time.
The Austin children and Emily go to school at St. Andrew's School. This is an Episcopal school. It might be based on a real school where L'Engle taught. The Austin family has just moved back to New York. They lived in rural Connecticut for years, much like L'Engle's own family did.
