"The Scarecrow and his Servant" by Philip Pullman

After a violent thunderstorm, a scarecrow standing in the middle of the field is stroke by lighting and is amazingly sprung into life. After yelling for a while a young orphaned boy, named Jack runs over to aid him. Scarecrow offers him a job has his servant and Jack excitingly agrees, since he has no other place to be. So begins the story of the Scarecrow, a courteous fellow with a generous spirit, a passion for adventure and a small pea for a brain. Accompanied by Jack, his now faithful servant, the Scarecrow leaves his bird scaring duties behind and seeks a life of glory and excitement. They set out boldly for a place called Spring Valley, a place that is written on the Scarecrow’s Heart. Through out the story, the Scarecrow and Jack are plunged into different scenarios that they have to get out of. They take part in battles, brigands, and treasure islands, but the one thing that the Scarecrow is unaware of is the gravest threat of all: the one family who desperately wishes he had never sprung to life.

This is a very simple non-complex book that revolves mainly around the theme of friendship and the theme of good vs. evil. Friendship pops out everywhere in the book, but mostly between the Scarecrow and Jack. These two characters really have a close relationship, which knits tighter by each chapter. They work as a team and get out of any trouble that they encounter. They care for one another and show this in many ways throughout the book. For example the Scarecrow always let Jack cut a piece of his turnip head to eat, so he would not starve. Towards the end of the novel Jack and the doctor nurse the Scarecrow back to health when his broom get s infested with termites. Also it has the typical sense of good against evil, where the Scarecrow and Jack are the good guys and try to fight of their enemies like the Buffalonis, which are chasing them throughout the whole book. Then there are all the robbers, cruel birds, and the brigand they fight in.

Personifications and similes where used infrequently in the book. It helped enhance the writing a bit. Similes like, “…the Scarecrow barked like a dog”. I would have preferred the writing more if no rhetorical devices were used, since the target audiences are young kids. A great thing about the book was that it used many descriptive adjectives that truly enhanced the writing and made it a pleasure to read.

Pullman has fabricated up something entirely his own: a tale of great charm and wit, told in an easy style, which reads as though it all came, right in the first draft. It teaches great moral, and sensible lessons in a comprehendible way. It is remarkable that He has managed to create a flawless plot and has conveyed it with simplicity and even silliness, which embraces such complexity, yet offers children so much wisdom.

Since this book is intended for a younger audience, there were no issues that pertained to me or any other adolescence. The one theme that did stick to me is the idea of the friendship, which is portrayed through out the book. If everyone had a friend like Jack, the world would be a better place. Jack is kind, caring, faithful, and smart. This factor will stick to me and I will consider these factors when I meet new people and in the choice of friends that I will have.

As with all Philip Pullman's books, the writing is a delight. Not a wasted word. The subject matter is probably best suited to younger readers 7 - 10, or as a series of bedtime stories for 5 - 7 year-olds. Charmingly illustrated by Peter Bailey.

By:Arshia Hayat-Davoudi