Järventaus, Arvi
Kettusen komppanian Lapinmatka by Arvi Järventaus is a children's adventure novel written in the early 20th century. It follows siblings Kalle, Pekka, and Sirkka Kettunen—joined by their friend Ola Svensk—on a long trek from a southern school town back to their home in Lapland. Expect a lively mix of wilderness travel, humor, and Lapland lore as the youngsters test their grit amid rivers, forests, and tundra.The opening of the novel introduces the Kettunen children at a boardinghouse, where a letter from home—revealing the beloved calf “Tösseli” was slaughtered for a bishop’s visit—upsets Pekka and sparks spirited table talk about summer plans. The trio departs by train, meets Ola at Ristiniemi, and reaches Soasjoki, where a bird‑mad pastor hosts them and shares his egg collection and eccentric field tales. Setting off on foot with simple gear, they camp by an old hay shed; Pekka vanishes while fishing and is found shaken after glimpsing a “hairy head,” which proves to be a bear. That night the bear attacks; Ola wounds it and Kalle finishes it with a pistol, after which they skin it and learn it had been feeding on a nearby cow. The grateful farmer Jaakko Musikka claims the meat and promises to tan the hide for their family, then hosts them with bear stew (the children prefer viili) and hypnotic stories of Lapland sorcerers and giants. The section ends as he ferries them upriver toward Kunnasenvaara, while they absorb dialect words and watch lapwings playfully dubbed a “virka…
These books are free to read. Each is in the public domain in the United States; check your own country's rules before you copy or share one.
