Normally I don't believe in abridging classics (I see it as "dumbing them down"), but this adaptation serves as an introduction to Sir Walter Scott's novel rather than a replacement for it. Plus it's full of breathtakingly beautiful pictures. Highly recommended for middle-grade kids who are old enough to appreciate the plot without being ready yet for the complexity of Scott's language.

It is a beauty to flip thru, thanx to fabulous illustrations by John Rush!

Anni fa' presi questo libro tra gli scaffali di un' impolverata biblioteca più per la copertina che per il contenuto in sé. Mi devo ricredere. Un poema epico di quelli che si studiano al liceo letto con calma e curiosità può sorprendere. Le gesta di cavalieri erranti al tempo di Riccardo cuor di leone e Robin Hood possono ancora emozionare un ragazzo del ventunesimo secolo. Lettura un po' più pesante del solito che però non deve spaventare vista in ottica di un romanzo ottocentesco.

Shortened retelling of Ivanhoe with really good editing and great illustrations. I used this to prepare my kids for heavier reading, because really, the first time I cracked the original novel open, I thought my head would spin from the sentence structures alone. Learned to read and love the original, and used this children's version to ease the kids in. Now they love the original too!

What is the mark of a great book? One that inspires you to seek out and read other great books!

I am currently reading another utterly fantastic book (stay tuned to hear all about it in a couple of days), and it inspired me to get up early this morning and pick up this beautifully illustrated abridged version of the classic tale, Ivanhoe.

This retelling adapted by Marianna Mayer was wonderful and as I said previously, beautifully illustrated..I've had it on my shelf for years since my oldest did a long stint in reading about knights, etc... but I'd never picked it up on my own.

Now that I have, I may just be inspired to read Ivanhoe in its entirety one day,.

I read this recently and can fully attest to why it is a CLASSIC! What a wonderfully crafted tale. I would say that it is a little hard to get into, but once the cadence of the language is in your head, it is a wonderful story. I can't believe it took me this long to read it. Highly recommend!

Classic children's literature.

Nice quick overview of the story. I'd like to read the full book sometime.

Marianna Mayer beautifully retells Walter Scott's classic Ivanhoe. Her retelling is engaging and relatable for the modern reader, and most likely will cause the reader to tackle the original. Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the lushly gorgeous illustrations.

The best thing about this book, for me, is the development of Rachael's character.

I found this classic on my bookshelf and always wanted to read it.So I did. Now I know finally who Ivanho was. I read the graphic novel though.

simple with lovely illustrations. a good introduction.