Book Guide

Strange things begin to happen the minute young Kay Harker boards the train to go home for Christmas and finds himself under observation by two very shifty-looking characters. Arriving at his destination, the boy is immediately accosted by a bright-eyed old man with a mysterious message: "The wolves are running." Soon danger is everywhere, as a gang of criminals headed by the notorious wizard Abner Brown and his witch wife Sylvia Daisy Pouncer gets to work. What does Abner Brown want? The magic box that the old man has entrusted to Kay, which allows him to travel freely not only in space but in time, too. The gang will stop at nothing to carry out their plan, even kidnapping Kay's friend, the tough little Maria Jones, and threatening to cancel Christmas celebrations altogether. But with the help of his allies, including an intrepid mouse, a squadron of Roman soldiers, the legendary Herne the Hunter, and the inventor of the Box of Delights himself, Kay just may be able to rescue his friend, foil Abner Brown's plot, and save Christmas, too. At once a thriller, a romp, and a spellbinding fantasy, The Box of Delights is a great English children's book and a perfect Christmas treat.

"It is ... a unique work and will often be re-read.... The beauties, all the 'delights' that keep on emerging from the box— are so exquisite, and quite unlike anything I have seen elsewhere." C.S. Lewis

From the back of the New York Children's Review edition

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John Masefield

John Masefield

1878 - 1967
British
John Masefield (1878-1967) was born in Ledbury, Herefordshire, England. His father died when he was very young, and at thirteen he left home to beco... See more
Judith Masefield

Judith Masefield

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The Box of Delights Reprint

The Box of Delights
Reprinted in 2012 by The Folio Society
Reprint illustrated by Sara Ogilivie
Available formats: Hardcover


The Box of Delights Reprint

The Box of Delights
Reprinted in 2008 by NYRB Kids
Reprint Cover Art by Nikki McClure
Available formats: Hardcover
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Content Guide

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Reviews

Kirkus Reviews

The Box of Delights
Kay Harker, hero of The Midnight Folk is again the hero—and, if you set up any precedents on that book, this is a natural follow through.

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