[A Swarm in May] will have limited appeal. The writer presupposes a rather extensive knowledge of music and a knowledge of the slang and colloquialisms of England. The legend of the beekeeper and the ancient custom of presenting the candles to the bishop is charming but does not furnish sufficient spark for a boy's story today. This book is for the special child who has some training and real interest in the life of a chorister. (p. 149)

Ruth Weeden Stewart, in Junior Libraries (reprinted from the October, 1957 issue of Junior Libraries, published by R. R. Bowker Co. A Xerox Corporation; copyright © 1957), October, 1957.

No one could be more traditional in his material [than is Mayne in A Grass Rope]; no one could touch the dead material of the adventure story into vivid life with such sure, individual and wonderful magic.

Mr. Mayne has infinite resources. First, style. He has...