Harleigh J. Weatherby IV leads a lonely existence in the vast Weatherby mansion under the watchful eye of his great aunt Adelaide — until a mysterious girl named Allegra literally flies over the walls of Weatherby House and into his life. Allegra's intense curiosity about Weatherby House forces Harleigh to think about things he's always ignored, including the long-lost treasure of the first Harleigh — which someone is trying to steal.
Publishers Weekly Snyder fashions a novel more akin to her lighter The Ghosts of Rathburn Park than her weightier Gib Rides Home or The Runaways. Harleigh J. Weatherby IV is a lonely and sickly 12-year-old who lives with several relatives in an enormous and rather shabby house, which is ruled by his great-aunt Adelaide. One afternoon he slips away in search of a leafy labyrinth in a far corner of the estate's overgrown gardens. There he meets a straggly-haired girl who claims she flew over the wall in order to see the house. Several mild adventures ensue, and Harleigh learns that the greatest treasures are not always riches. While Snyder's two protagonists are as sympathetic as ever, this rather repetitious novel is not among the author's best. Harleigh's consideration of future actions and review of events serves to add length to the story rather than to advance a plot somewhat reminiscent of The Secret Garden. Most of the secondary characters remain elusive. Ages 8-12. (Dec.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Simon & Schuster, Incorporated

Scholastic Inc

United States, United States of America

F First Edition, PS, 2006

1st ed, New York, ©2007

Removing Scanfee from Billable Books scanned before June 2011 which appear to have manually set scanfees

[curator]venus@archive.org[/curator][date]20111004134123[/date][state]approved[/state]

"Loathed by Lemony Snicket"--Jacket.

"Loathed by Lemony Snicket"--Jacket
Determined to be as strong and powerful as the first Harleigh, who built the rambling Weatherby Hall, twelve-year-old Harleigh Fourth and an equally diminutive new friend try to foil the plans of a distant relative who is seeking the long-lost Weatherby fortune. Harleigh J. Weatherby IV feels misunderstood. At age twelve he is about as tall as a six-year-old, and no one lets him forget it. At school the bullies nicknamed him "Hardly." Now he is homeschooled at the Weatherby mansion, where strict Aunt Adelaide is always on his case about something. Then Harleigh meets Allegra. When she literally flies over the walls of Weatherby and into Harleigh's life, the two form an unlikely friendship. Allegra is fascinated by the enormous Weatherby mansion, and against Harleigh's orders, sneaks inside. Together they discover that someone is trying to find -- and steal -- the long-lost Weatherby treasure. Will Harleigh and Allegra be able to foil the villain and save Weatherby House?

Harleigh J. Weatherby IV feels misunderstood. At age twelve he is about as tall as a six-year-old, and no one lets him forget it. At school the bullies nicknamed him "Hardly." Now he is homeschooled at the Weatherby mansion, where strict Aunt Adelaide is always on his case about something.
Then Harleigh meets Allegra. When she literally flies over the walls of Weatherby and into Harleigh's life, the two form an unlikely friendship. Allegra is fascinated by the enormous Weatherby mansion, and against Harleigh's orders, sneaks inside. Together they discover that someone is trying to find -- and steal -- the long-lost Weatherby treasure. Will Harleigh and Allegra be able to foil the villain and save Weatherby House?
Three-time Newbery Honor winner Zilpha Keatley Snyder combines a cast of quirky characters with an eerie old mansion to create a spellbinding tale of mystery and magic.

2023-06-28