The Famous Stanley Kidnapping Case

by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Book Overview

When the four Stanley kids learn that the whole family is going to Italy for a year, they couldn't be more excited. Even grumpy Amanda, their stepsister, admits that they're bound to have quite an adventure. But adventure turns into trouble when Amanda brags about having a rich father, and her news falls into the hands of the wrong people--kidnappers. When they strike, Red Mask and his gang find they can't take Amanda without nabbing all the Stanley...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0440424852
• ISBN13: 9780440424857
• Release Date: October 1985
• Publisher: Yearling Books
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

My favorite Stanley Family book!

I have to admit that I liked "TFSKC" best of the three Stanley books. I thought Blair's visions of the Virgin Mary were perfectly in keeping with the tone of the story, being set in Italy (seat of the Roman Catholic church and all). The characters were very *real*. I too came from a blended family and I could identify with both David and Amanda. I recently re-read the books and found them just as enjoyable this time around. (And yes, I had to sleep with the lights on again after reading "The Headless Cupid".) :o)

Good -But Not as Good as CUPID

THE FAMOUS STANLEY KIDNAPPING CASE finds the same characters from Snyder's classic THE HEADLESS CUPID in Italy. Molly has inherited a little money from an uncle and they decide to spend the year in Italy so she can explore art. The story is told from the children's point of view, mainly David's. Tesser, Blair and Janey act exactly as before, almost stereotypically so. However, there is no recurrence of the spooky happenings from Blair that made CUPID so wonderful. Amanda has reverted to teenage surliness after her about-face at the end of CUPID and is (again stereotypically) a real pain about the move she doesn't want to make. The kidnapping takes place after Amanda brags that her father is a rich movie-maker in California to impress the Italian kids in school. Instead of just Amanda, the kidnappers end up with all five Stanley children and find it is much more than they can handle. The children finally free themselves mostly by frustrating the kidnappers to no end. An enjoyable read, but not as good or memorable as THE HEADLESS CUPID.

A Well Told Story

I liked this book a lot. This story has action to it and a regular story line to it as well. It was very good. This book had a lot of sense to it and good detail as well as plot. I recommend this book highly! It's most enjoyable.

A children's adventure complex enough for any adult.

This book is that rare treat - a children's book that is so multi-faceted and well told that it will capture any adult reader as well.I found this book looking for something good for my daughter to read, then couldn't give it up to her until I had finished it! A tense, realistic, and heartwarming tale.