Time of Trial facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Hester Burton |
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| Illustrator | Victor Ambrus |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
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Publication date
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1963 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback, Paperback) |
| Pages | 216 pp |
| ISBN | 0192712209 (1972 edition) |
| OCLC | 557577009 |
Time of Trial is an exciting historical novel written by Hester Burton. It was first published in 1963. The story is set in England during the early 1800s.
This book explores important ideas like social reform and freedom of speech. Social reform means trying to make society better for everyone. Freedom of speech is the right to say what you think. Hester Burton won the 1963 Carnegie Medal for this novel. This is a special award for children's books.
Contents
Discover the Story's Setting
The novel begins in 1801. At this time, Great Britain was fighting a long war with France. This war caused a lot of hardship for many people. There was poverty and not enough food, especially for the poorer classes.
Because of this, the people in charge were worried. They feared that people might become angry and cause trouble. The story takes place in two main locations. One is Holly Lane in London. This is where the Pargeter family owns a bookshop. The other place is Herringsby. It is a small fishing village on the Suffolk coast.
Explore the Main Plot
The story is told from a third-person point of view. It mostly follows the thoughts and experiences of a girl named Margaret Pargeter. Margaret and her family, the Pargeters, live on Holly Lane. Their bookshop is near St Paul's Cathedral.
Even though they are not rich, their life is quite comfortable. Many of their neighbors are much poorer. Mr. Pargeter, Margaret's father, has some strong ideas. He sells books that are seen as controversial. One such book is The Rights of Man. Margaret often feels she needs to hide it from customers.
Margaret's brother, John, does not agree with his father's ideas. He dislikes the bookshop and wants to join the army instead.
A Community Crisis
A major event in the story happens when an old building collapses. Many families who lived there are killed. This tragedy deeply affects Mr. Pargeter. He decides to write a pamphlet called The New Jerusalem. In it, he shares his ideas for a perfect society.
He suggests that all property should be given to local parishes. These parishes would then manage it for everyone's benefit. Rich people did not like this idea at all. They saw it as an attack on their property. Mr. Pargeter was arrested for writing things that upset powerful people. He was also accused of trying to cause rebellion.
Poor people also had a problem with his plan. He wanted to stop children under 14 from working. They worried this would make their families even poorer. While Mr. Pargeter was waiting for his trial, an angry crowd attacked his shop. They burned it completely to the ground.
Life After the Trial
Luckily, Mr. Pargeter received a fairly mild sentence. This was thanks to Robert Kerridge's father and uncle. Robert is a young medical student who lives with the Pargeters. Mr. Pargeter was sentenced to six months in a special prison in Ipswich.
Dr. Kerridge, Robert's father, offered Margaret a place to stay. It was in Herringsbury, a town by the sea in Suffolk. This way, Margaret could visit her father in prison. However, Dr. Kerridge had another reason. He wanted to keep Margaret and Robert apart. He thought Margaret was not suitable for his ambitious son.
Despite his family's disapproval, Robert and Margaret eventually get married. They do this as soon as Robert earns enough money to be independent.
New Beginnings
More drama unfolds in Herringsby. A customs official, called a Riding officer, is found murdered. A group of soldiers comes to the village. Their goal is to find and stop the smugglers.
One of the officers is John Pargeter. He had left London after his father's arrest. He makes peace with his sister and father. Mr. Pargeter then plans to open a new bookshop. He also wants to start a school. He now believes that education is the best way to achieve his dreams.
Meet the Characters
Here are some of the main characters you will meet in Time of Trial:
- Margaret Pargeter (sometimes called Meg): A 17-year-old girl who loves books.
- John Pargeter: Margaret's older brother. He later becomes an officer in the army.
- Mr. Pargeter: Margaret and John's elderly father. He is a bookseller with big ideas.
- Mrs. Neech: The Pargeters' strict housekeeper.
- Elijah: A boy who survived the building collapse. The Pargeters take him in.
- Robert Kerridge: A medical student who is in love with Margaret.
- Dr. Kerridge: Robert's father. He is a doctor from a wealthy family.
- Mrs. Kerridge: Robert's mother.
- Sir Maurice Kerridge: Robert's uncle, who is a Member of Parliament.
- Mr. Stone: A bookdealer and a friend of Mr. Pargeter.
- Mrs. Dunnett: A widow who becomes Margaret's landlady in Herringsby.
- Lucy Moore: Margaret's friend in Herringsby.
- Mr. and Mrs. Moore: Lucy's family, who are farmers. They also have a son named Dick and an Aunt Kitty.
- Dan Fiske: A fisherman who is likely involved in smuggling.
| Awards | ||
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| Preceded by The Twelve and the Genii |
Carnegie Medal recipient 1963 |
Succeeded by Nordy Bank |
