Nostalgia - Magic Moments in Children's Stories Quiz

Answer: in the apple barrel

Only Jim would be small enough to fit in the barrel and not be seen whilst the pirates discuss just exactly what they are going to do. All Jim's plans for adventure have now begun to turn into a nightmare that won't leave him for a long time.

Answer: that she loves Gilbert and that she hasn't told him and he may die

All the things that have confused Anne's mind have now been stripped away and she realises her true feelings for Gilbert. The near certainty that he may die and not know almost overwhelms her. She has always kept him at a distance and repelled his advances and forced him to be just a friend. Now it is nearly too late.

Answer: makes a candle-grease doll of the Great Aunt and drops it in the fire

Titty decides to make a wax image of the Great Aunt so that Nancy and Peggy will have some relief from her control. She meant to just stick pins in it but the fire gets so hot she drops it in the flames and believes she has killed the old woman. It takes her mother to give her plenty or reassurance before she feels any better.

Answer: when he is about to set off on a rescue with the Westling lifeboat

It is the thought that Meryon is old enough to risk his life by going to sea in the storm and yet she has treated him as though he was not mature enough to even hold her hand. The thought that he might not come back makes her realise that now that they have found their deepened affection for each other there is "No Going Back" as the title says.

Answer: when they are trapped in a cavern underneath the Stiperstones

Before David has a chance to reply to what she has said, the roof of the cavern falls in and he has to concentrate on saving their lives. It is the following day in the Whispering Wood that he kisses her for the first time and makes it clear she is the only girl for him. This happens in "Not Scarlet but Gold".

Answer: Four o'clock every day when she would meet Joe at the school gate.

All the villagers used to set their clocks by Lassie's approach to the school to meet her young master. The day Lassie isn't there Joe knows that something is wrong. Later he learns that Lassie has had to be sold because his father is out of work. However, even when taken hundreds of miles away the instinct works on the dog every day.

Answer: Roy Gardner proposes to her.

Anne had known that the proposal was coming and considers that Roy did it with total sincerity. However, she has to refuse him because she believes that he doesn't belong in her life.

Answer: He sent him up a staircase with a missing step in the dark.

David is sent up the stair tower to fetch a chest full of precious belongings. His cautious approach and the flashes of lightning are what save him from falling down the hole to his death.

Answer: Harald Hardrada

Harold Godwinson's victory over the Norwegian King Harald Hardrada is usually presented as just the prologue to the Battle of Hastings and the defeat by William the Conqueror. In Treece's story as he waits for his last battle Hardrada remembers the companion of his youth, Asleif Summerbird, and the journey he made to Miklagard.

Answer: Black Beauty

It is indeed "Black Beauty" in the book of the same name by Anna Sewell. The death of Ginger, the chestnut mare, is considered to be one of the most sorrowful scenes in all of children's literature.

Answer: Dimsie

It was Dimsie Maitland in the "Dimsie" books by Dorita Fairlie Bruce. It is a society which she attempts to resurrect when she returns to her school to help out as a grown-up. By then, however, she has given in to the inevitable engagement to a man she has grown to love.

Answer: That he will never make a warrior because of his withered arm.

The "Warrior Scarlet" of the title is the robe that a boy is awarded when he kills his first wolf and thus becomes a warrior of his tribe. Drem fails to kill his wolf and is banished to serve with the Little Dark People. In the end, however, he saves an old shepherd when defending him from the wolf pack and wins his right to manhood.

Answer: He falls asleep and is robbed of his money.

Herr Grundeis is this chief suspect in this case. Both Gustav and Pony in fact become part of the gang that join with Emil to recover the money and bring the thief to justice. Also involved are "The Professor" and "Little Tuesday".

Answer: They climb down a pothole and the only rope falls down after them.

The five boys set off with Alan as the leader. He proves to be the weakest link and a dangerous coward. As the adventure proceeds all the good qualities of the others gradually emerge. In a sequel "Down River" the boys return to the cave and encounter more dangers.

Answer: The key to an old factory.

The key proves to be for an old toy factory. For a while some of the children are deceived into thinking that even the money is toy money.

Answer: Cedric

It always seems a shame that "Little Lord Fauntleroy" has become a synonym for a boy who is soft, priggish and very unboylike. This misconception mainly came from the publicity for the book and from how the character was depicted in the play that derived from it.

Answer: Dickon and Colin

Colin is a fretful invalid whose temper is even worse than Mary's. He is also subject to hysterical fits. Dickon is filled with impeturbable common sense and has a whole array of tame animals to take delight in.

Answer: on the back of a police horse

Oliver Melendy is the youngest of the family and doesn't want to be left out of things. Randy visits a picture gallery. Rush goes to the opera and picks up a dog on the way home. Mona sets off to have her plaits cut off in a high class Broadway establishment. Oliver is determined to have his own adventure.

Answer: Allan Breck Stewart

Allan Breck Stewart is the intended victim of the murder for he is carrying gold coins in his belt. Because Allan is a Jacobite, Captain Hoseason can justify a murder by saying he is for King George. However, David too is for King George but he recognises a villain in Hoseason and chooses to fight alongside a honest man.

Answer: On the beach at Dunkirk

They have fallen in love long before this scene but so many things have got in their way. David is now wealthy and Catriona is poor. Catriona's father is a proclaimed Jacobite and a dishonest rogue who tries to force a marriage on both of them. Finally Catriona's father tries to betray Allan to the English for money.

Answer: Captain of Dragoons

Unfortunately for John Carey, his cousin Charles is everything that he can not be. Charles will inherit the estate; Charles is a marvellous swordsman and Charles is well respected by the people in his regiment. Jealousy combined with gambling losses leads to a dramatic and tragic climax.

Answer: Mr. McGregor

Rabbits are perhaps the most suitable creatures of all for family stories. Thus we also have the story of Benjamin Bunny and the Flopsy Bunnies.

Answer: Ralph Rover

The most horrific moment in the book is probably when the boys discover exactly what "long pig" is made from and that they may end up as the next meal. Ralph also tells the story of the sequel "Gorilla Hunters". His attitude towards shooting these animals is completely counter to most people's feelings today.

Answer: He is blinded by ammonia in an attempt to stop a bank raid.

Meryon's blindness precipitates a crisis in his relationship with Tamzin. The book explores how their growing affection survives during this dramatic period in Meryon's life.

Answer: Romeo and Juliet

In "Black Banner Abroad" Bill plays Mercutio and Penny is Juliet's nurse. The joint tour of the girls' high school and the boys' grammar school proves to be a success in more ways than one. Bill and Penny later act together in "The Tempest" when they are at Oxford University.