Publisher's Synopsis
This book is about Marco Loristan, his father, and his friend, a street urchin called "The Rat". Marco's father, Stefan, is a Samavian patriot working to overthrow the cruel dictatorship in the kingdom of Samavia. Marco and his father come to London where Marco strikes up a friendship with a crippled street urchin known as The Rat. The friendship occurs when Marco overhears The Rat shouting in military form. Marco discovers he had stumbled upon a club known as the Squad, where the boys drill under the leadership of The Rat, whose education and imagination far exceeds their own.
Stefan, realizing that two boys are less likely to be noticed, entrusts them with a secret mission to travel across Europe giving the secret sign: 'The Lamp is lighted.' Marco is to go as the Bearer of the Sign while The Rat goes as his Aide-de-Camp (so-named at his own request).
This brings about a revolution which succeeds in overthrowing the old regime and re-establishing the rightful king. When Marco and The Rat return to London, Stefan has already left for Samavia. They wait there with his father's faithful bodyguard, Lazarus, until Stefan calls. The book ends in a climactic scene as Marco realizes his father is the descendant of Ivor Fedorovitch and thus the rightful king of Samavia.
his terrific novel was first published in 1915 and has all the hallmarks of fiction written before WW1: beauty of expression, pace, adventure and, a rare virtue in these cynical days, a belief in the essential goodness of ordinary people.
British-American author Hodgson Burnett wrote best-selling children's novels throughout the latter half of the 19th century and into the 20th and is probably best known today for Little Lord Fauntleroy and The Secret Garden. Like those, the idea at the heart of The Lost Prince is one that has perennial appeal for children. Here, destiny will reveal the hero's true identity. Marco and his street urchin friend, The Rat, both no older than thirteen, are sent on a secret mission across Europe by Marco's charismatic father, a patriot of the fictional and war-torn country Samavia.
The boys are the Bearers of the Sign and, like King Arthur, the lost prince will return to save his people in their time of need. Marco's identity may be guessed quite early by some young readers, but this will not detract from the excitement of the journey to the final triumphant scene when the truth is revealed. This is a story that scores in many ways, showing, without preaching. why history is important, why good manners are the mark of heroes, and how courage in the face of uncertainty is something that can be learned.
Eva (6) and Flora (4) adored it and even made a map of Samavia. Their only caveat was that there were no girls in it, but this provided an opportunity to talk about how customs change and now girls can be heroes, too. It will appeal to 4-14 year olds.