Choice Book Report 1

I read The Battle For Duncragglin by Andrew H. Vanderwal. The main character in this book is a twelve year old boy named Alex Macpherson. Alex feels lonely and as though he isn’t wanted, because his parents have gone missing and the uncle he lives with sees him only as a burden even though Alex's expenses are fully paid. His uncle is happy to be rid of him for the summer. He sends him to Scotland to visit his Aunt Fiona, but she is sick, so she sends him to his uncle. Alex feels unwanted again. Alex feels bewildered by the customs and language in Scotland. He isn't used to the driver's side in a car being on the right. His cousin Willie told a joke at dinner that he knew Alex wouldn't understand. His cousins, Scotland natives, laugh and make fun of him. Alex still doesn't feel wanted, until he and two of his cousins, Annie and Craig, are investigating in a cave when they find a secret chamber, and are suddenly whisked back in time. Alex suspects the same fate befell his parents. He and his father share a love of history, particularly Scottish history in William Wallace’s time. Alex is cautious, too. He was frightened when he first had to rock climb the steep shaft in the cave. He isn't quick to trust people, like Rorie, one of Hesselrigge's spies who is working for William Wallace. He turns him in and Wallace is grateful. He is also sensible, unlike his cousin Willie, who is quick to make decisions. When he gets separated from his cousins, friendly Alex is able to find allies to aid his quest, from the poor Don-Dun, seller of hay and produce, to William Wallace himself. Alex is sometimes hot tempered, like when some of William Wallace's men wanted him to hang back and not help fight. Alex left and fought anyway. Alex is courageous because he helps Wallace fight in his battles against Hesselrigge. He also assists with Hesselrigge's leaving through the caves. Alex isn't afraid of Hesselrigge. Alex may sometimes be a coward, but in the end he proves his bravery by electing to stay and search for his mom and dad while his cousins return to their proper time. This is very courageous because, as the book says, his parents may not even be in William Wallace's time period. They may have time traveled elsewhere. I think Alex Macpherson is a likable character, and so do most of the characters in this book.

Some of the conflicts in The Battle For Duncragglin are Alex searching for his parents, William Wallace fighting Hesselrigge, and Alex’s cousins looking for Mrs. McRae, their also missing mother. Mrs. McRae is found through time traveling and help from Alex and the cousins' friends, and Alex and his cousins’ assistance to William Wallace was invaluable to Hesselrigge's defeat. I would never have done the same thing, because I do not like exploring caves, or have any interest in Scottish history, William Wallace, or battles. I most likely would have let the cousins go exploring in the cave by themselves. I would never have befriended William Wallace or turned in a spy to him. I also don't believe in time travel. I would have returned home with the cousins. Alex, on the other hand, is brave and carries his own weight, so he did not handle it the same way I would have. The conflict of Alex’s missing parents is not resolved in the book. Alex does not return to his time period. The book gives the impression it will be solved after the story is over, stating at the end that Alex will “do it in his own time”! Finally, at the end of the story, Alex feels wanted. His friends from back in time have agreed to give him a home.
   The conflict in this story is mostly person vs. person. I think it is also person vs. other force. I think it is Alex vs. the time travel because that is what made his parents go missing and he is trying to fight that and find them. He is also sort of battling himself, because at the end of the story, part of him knows that he should stay and find his parents. But part of him wants to return home with his cousins. He knows he might never see them again, and they are already good friends. He also might not find his mom and dad, or he might not find his way home.
   I would recommend this book to anyone who likes history, otherwise you might find it boring. I thought it was kind of boring.