First published in 1886, Edinburgh-born Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped has gone on to become a classic adventure tale.  Especially for this campaign, three brand new editions of the book have been developed, to be given away for free in the month of February 2007. 

Kidnapped was originally entitled The Lad with the Silver Button.  Not many people know that Stevenson based Kidnapped on real events - the Appin murder of the Red Fox really happened, even if there wasn't a David Balfour there to witness it.  Find out more about the background to Kidnapped from Ian Nimmo, author of Walking with Murder: the Appin Trail, and trace Davie's steps on the Trail itself.

The definitive paperback classic copy with notes by Professor Barry Menikoff has a brand new introduction from Scottish author Louise Welsh.  Professor Menikoff will talk about his exhaustive research for this edition, where he examined  the original 1886 edition held in the National Library of Scotland.  Louise Welsh will also be in Edinburgh to discuss Stevenson and the criminal on 2 February.

Read about the making of the graphic novel edition, adapted by renowned illustrator Cam Kennedy and scriptwriter Alan Grant, both Scottish and known for their work on Batman, Judge Dredd and Star Wars.

The simplified retold edition keeps the adventurous essence of Stevenson's tale for a younger audience.  The edition has been retold by John Kennet and has been published by Waverley Books with support from the Russell Trust.

This campaign has sparked two new spin-offs of the graphic novel.  Both use Cam's magnificent artwork, but publishers Itchy Coo have produces a Scots language version entitled Kidnappit!, and Barrington Stoke have created a modern text edition, simplifying the original language for younger readers.  Look out for these editions in local bookshops.

An audio version of Kidnapped can be accessed through American site http://www.freebookstoread.com/, which uses "Text To Speech" audio technology to allow your computer to read your selections aloud.  It works via a free plug-in.  Alternatively, you can also read Kidnapped online through Project Gutenberg.

GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEW from RLS (Robbie L Small, age 14)

The first thing I will say is that if you have read the original don't expect an all-the-way graphic novel. It's still good though. If you haven't read Kidnapped before, I will give you a quick low-down on the story: David Balfour, a young man whose father has just died, is led on a wild goose chase, first away from attempted murder by his uncle and then escaping from the Red Coats al the while travelling with his new friend Alan Breck. Together they must make a dramatic and extraordinary journey across Scotland so that David can claim his rightful inheritance. I can say that for me the graphic novel finishes too soon to see most of the chasing. Now for the good points, they illustrated this book perfectly. You can see everything clearly. The other thing is that you might get a free copy! Don't destroy it because you think it's boring because it's not, and for all you who like violence there are plenty bloody moments in it. Although it's rather short, this is a good book for people young and old... maybe not the easiest story to read at bedtime though.

I suppose the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature chose me because I hate critics (who doesn't?)...Wait, I'm a critic! Darn! I think this is Robert Louis Stevenson's best work... mind you, then again there's always ‘Treasure Island' .... The character expressions in this book are very funny and up close you can see the uncles two-bottom teeth. Well Done, Cam Kennedy.  I'll give this book: 8.5/10.