The Night Watchmen

by Cresswell, Helen. (Aladdin, 1989 ISBN 0-689-71292-8) Novel. Grades 3 +.
This book was reviewed by Carol Otis Hurst in Teaching K-8 Magazine.

Review

Josh and Caleb, two wonderful tramps, have discovered a way to keep from being hassled by police in a new town. They dig a hole in a street, put up a sign that says, "Danger, Men Working", put a tent up next to it and settle in sure that no one ever questions people working on a hole in a street. They are, they tell Henry, the young boy who is intrigued by them and becomes their friend, Do-as-you-pleasers. They live well within their transient life style. Caleb is a gourmet cook and whips up delectable meals; they take time to look about them and notice things. Josh is working on a book about everything he's done and seen and knows it will never be finished because there's too much left to tell. When they get to a town, Josh writes letters of introduction to all the important people there telling him he would like to include them in his book and is welcomed with open arms. He's getting the ticking of a town, he tell them. Their life would be pleasant indeed except for Them, the people so jealous of the life of Do-as-you-pleasers that their eyes have turned brilliant green. When discovered by Them, Josh and Caleb must summon up the Night Train and go back There. It's a funny, exciting book. The English setting gives yo a chance to explore language differences and the tramps often speak in proverbs: "Give an inch and you'll lose a mile", "Don't drop into the glooms", "Caleb's got a nasty bark but his bite's not worth mentioning"