Product Description
This Elibron Classics book is a facsimile reprint of a 1901 edition by Edward Arnold, London. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description
"Sandy Chisholm's Chanter Lessons" is a novel about a ten year old boy and his friends who take advantage of the arrival in their town of a piper from Scotland to learn how to play the Great Highland Bagpipes. In addition to following the boys to their lessons, the story tells about their adventures in a small town in Nova Scotia in 1958. Read along as the boys experience the thrill of learning to play this ancient instrument, and face heavy snow, dangerous spring floods, bullies, and childhood pranks as they progress through their lessons and prepare to take part in the world famous Antigonish Highland Games, North America's oldest continuous Scottish Braemar. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A great and nostalgic little novel of Nova Scotian life
I found this book to be very entertaining and a great read for any youngster who has any interest in piping and/or Nova Scotian culture, as well as just a good children's novel. Not many people know where/what Nova Scotia is, and this book brings an accurate description of what life and her people were like back 50 years ago and also much what it is like today. Seems like I've heard alot of the tales before - perhaps from my mother who grew up in the next county over, played in a pipe band, and endured many a snowstorm, walking both directions uphill, to school, during the same time frame. I especially liked the indirect mention of Fraser Holmes and my mom's pipe band - very nostalgic! A great and very entertaining read! I enjoyed it very much!

Sandy Chisholm's Chanter Lessons
"Sandy Chisholm's Chanter Lesson" is at the top of our novel study list in my classroom. Several years ago I was looking for a new novel study for my Grade Five class and came across the book, "Sandy Chisholm's Chanter Lessons." It stirred my interest immediately for two reasons, I'm from Nova Scotia and I play in a Pipe Band. So I bought the book, read it and when I finished, I knew this would be a great read for my students.

It tells a story of Sandy Chisholm and the many adventures that he and his friends have. Students can relate to Sandy and his friends and get involved in the story right away. As well, my students learn some interesting facts about bagpipes and the dedication it takes to learn how to play the Great Highland Pipes.

Not only does Scott Williams take the reader on many childhood adventures, but he also describes nicely what it takes to be a great piper. Anyone who is interested in learning to play the pipes and the hard work that you must go though, will have an idea having read this novel. This to me is worth the read in itself.

This is the second year that we have used "Sandy Chisholm's Chanter Lessons" as our novel study. It just keeps getting better and better for me because my students are so into it. Last year two of my students actually took up chanter lessons.

The worksheets and activities certainly relate to our Grade Five curriculum by introducing students to Nova Scotia and the regions around Antigonish. It also gives the students some insight into Scotland. The ideas that your class can come up with for other projects, is only limited by what you want to do yourself.

The story shows students how if you are determined to do something, you can achieve anything, even how to play the Great Highland Bagpipes. We have a Character Education Program at our school and this story relates to many of our "Word of the Month" themes that we have put into practice here.

Each year as soon as we complete this novel study, the question is asked, " When does Sandy's next adventure come out?" I would like to see this novel included in the Scholastic Book Club series so that every student out there has the opportunity to experience an adventure with Sandy Chisholm.

A very disappointing book
I bought this book to read to my young son who is learning to play the bagpipe (chanter lessons).

The book went into too many areas of the family that were not only unnecessary, but not for the younger reader. For instance, why did we need to hear about Protestant vs. Catholic issues in the classroom, as well as Sandy's parents financial condition, other than having to sacrifice to pay for lessons and a chanter. Although set in the 50' or 60's, the end was so syrupy that I couldn't stand it.
I read this myself , and upon finishing it, I threw it away, something I've never done before.

On being Sandy
I'm 57 years old and a long-time piper.I've just completed reading "Sandy Chisholm's Chanter Lessons" by Scott Williams for the fourth time and being perfectly honest, I must say I enjoy the story more each time I read it through.Having grown up in the late 40's and early 50's in a small, rural town I was able to identify with Sandy, his friends, (and enemies), and the town itself.Then, kids were kids, and not subjected to pre-adolescent grooming by "concerned" parents who strive to boost their offspring's GPA and "self-esteem" by forcing them into so many extracurricular activities, appointments must be made in advance just to play with friends. Sandy and his friends enjoy the reality of being kids.Their entertainments are active, created by themselves (e.g. the car top rafts, stomach surfing through the snow banks) and their imaginations are nurtured by King Robert's Men constantly on the outlook protecting the disembarking train passengers from the clutches of the evil Black Prince.No passive sitting in front of the TV or mindless video games for Sandy and his friends.Their playground is the great outdoors and all the wonders it holds.Sandy's parents both have to work but everybody makes do with what they have (there's no whining or cronic complaining or need for professional counseling).Affection between parents and children is quite obvious.Sandy's fears are real (in the guise of the evil Andy Gillis) but revenge is sweet (who hasn't longed to dance a victory dance following a successful mudball fight)?Add to all of the above the challange of learning to play the Great Highland Bagpipe and you have a recipe for an entertaining and heartwarming story.I highly recommend "Sandy" and am anticipating, perhaps, a "Sandy II". "Sandy Chisholm's Chanter Lessons" is definitely worth the read and you don't have to be a kid to enjoy it - just a kid at heart.In fact, I enjoyed the book so much, it inspired me to write and publish a book of my own. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Reward Game Review
In the Reward Game, we see Keith Calder & Molly Calder before they succeed in winning Briesland House. Molly comes back very shaken from an odd occurrence, and before long, car chases, stolen guns, jewels, andInspector Munro sweeten the stew.

Whenever Keith Calder gets involved inmysteries, you can bet he'll find a way to turn it to profit. As always,Gerald Hammond plots an exciting mystery full of quirks, unexpected turnsof plot, and marvelously compelling characters. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description
From the PREFACE: "It is somewhat curious that among the great number of books on occult science and all forms of divination which have been published in the English language there should be none dealing exclusively with the Tea-Cup Reading and the Art of Telling Fortunes by Tea-Leaves: notwithstanding that it is one of the most common forms of divination practised by the peasants of Scotland and by village fortune-tellers in all parts of this country. In many of the cheaper handbooks to Fortune-Telling by Cards or in other ways only brief references to the tea-cup method are given; but only too evidently by writers who are merely acquainted with it by hearsay and have not made a study of it for themselves.