Today's read hits the shelves tomorrow and is one in a series of books by the author. I have not read nor seen the other ones in the collection but get the impression that they are strong stand-alones, each with a different adventure.
I, actually, thought this one was a picture book for the younger readers out there, when I first saw it since it's packed full of illustrations. But it's definitely one for the middle grade audience...which thrilled me quite a bit. I adore illustrations in 'older' reads and find it a shame there are more books packed with them (although I do understand the cost issues). So, I'm excited to dive in and see what this book holds.
Before I babble on more, let's just open it up and see what's inside.
THE LOST BOOK OF UNDERSEA ADVENTURE
from the letters of the Unknown Adventurer
by Teddy Keen
Frances Lincoln's Children Books
Middle Grade Adventure
96 pages
ages 7 to 11
COMING TOMORROW, JUNE 3rd!!!
This was meant to be a journal of my quest to find the legendary sea nomads, but six days ago something happened that turned my world upside down . . . You are about to read an adventure story so real you’ll be able to taste the salt water on your lips. I don’t know how it will end but I’ll keep writing this journal as long as I’m able. One day I hope I can give it to you.
After he’s flung from a ferry after seeing something so dangerous he would be killed for his silence, the Unknown Adventurer washes up on a deserted island. Completely alone, he puts his survival skills to the test and begins the journal he promised his younger siblings he would write. But after a while he notices that it is not all what it seems on the island and something mysterious lies across the lagoon. Something he must investigate.
Take a deep breath. You are about to enter dangerous waters.
This is a thrilling tale of survival, friendship and underwater discovery that transports you to remote seas that whisper of ancient legends you can only begin to imagine.
Presented like an artist’s journal, with handwritten sections, smudged notes, and stuck-in pages and illustrated in breathtaking detail, this is a story that will spark a sense of adventure in every reader. A new exhilarating book from the Unknown Adventurer, author of The Lost Book of Adventure and Journey to the Last River.
After he’s flung from a ferry after seeing something so dangerous he would be killed for his silence, the Unknown Adventurer washes up on a deserted island. Completely alone, he puts his survival skills to the test and begins the journal he promised his younger siblings he would write. But after a while he notices that it is not all what it seems on the island and something mysterious lies across the lagoon. Something he must investigate.
Take a deep breath. You are about to enter dangerous waters.
This is a thrilling tale of survival, friendship and underwater discovery that transports you to remote seas that whisper of ancient legends you can only begin to imagine.
Presented like an artist’s journal, with handwritten sections, smudged notes, and stuck-in pages and illustrated in breathtaking detail, this is a story that will spark a sense of adventure in every reader. A new exhilarating book from the Unknown Adventurer, author of The Lost Book of Adventure and Journey to the Last River.
MY TIDBITS
With notes, photos, sketches, and more, this book immerses the reader into the adventure while teaching skills, history, social sciences, and more along the way.
Two kids discover a bottle floating in the ocean and open it to discover the journal and notes of an Unknown Adventurer. From here, the book switches into the journal, where the Unknown Adventurer describes his journey from his desire to find legendary sea nomads, to his moments floating alone in the ocean, and to his amazing time on an island. Not only are there secrets, which he does his best to uncover, but the journal records every step he took to survive. And there are plenty of dangers. The tension mounts as he discovers a strange happening across a dangerous lagoon...and he's sure he's in more than a little danger.
With the use of photos, notes, scribbles, maps, and more, every page documents the engaging adventure of an unknown traveler. While the first pages give his backstory as he explains his fascination for the nomads and heads out on a ship to learn more about them, things quickly take an exciting turn, which leads from one dangerous situation to the next. The reader discovers everything right along with the Adventurer and can fever with him at every moment. At the same time, the notes offer insights with real life information (how-tos, history, culture, and more) as the Adventurer shares his thoughts with each new obstacle he faces. It's a clever way to broaden a reader's horizons while never leaving the action.
At first, I thought this might actually tend toward the younger end of the intended audience level due to the vibrant illustrations/photos on each page, but the text and information is very well placed for even the upper end of the middle grade audience, especially those who love a little mystery and some practical points on survival skills along the way. It's engaging and holds just enough of a realistic touch to capture the imagination and the dream of possibilities.
This is a well-done read, which takes an original twist and is sure to delight more than a few adventure fans.
10 comments:
The cover for this one is gorgeous. And the first lines really draw you in. It sounds like a cool adventure that teaches a lot. Thanks for sharing it this week.
It wasn't what I was expecting, and that's a good thing.
I love illustrations in books too (I'd love to be able to draw my own!). This sounds a great story, I love the adventure, the survival tips, and the format! Thanks for the recommendation!
You should give it a try!
So glad to see this type of book. Not all MG readers want or like the massive 350-400 page novels prevalent these days. Love the adventure aspect after finding the floating bottle. Thanks for including your review on this week's MMGM.
What an awesome cover. And, I like that it is shorter rather than longer, as many MG novels are. This sounds like one big adventure. Wishing you good reviews in the days to come. Will check it out.
It is nice to find shorter reads, too.
It is pretty, isn't it? I was happy to see something shorter, too, and it still packs quite the adventure, which is great.
I definitely assumed picture book by the cover of this one too, but the way you describe this, I'm even more excited for it than I would be if it was a PB. I think it's great to have these sorts of "hybrid" reads for MG readers!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I think MG readers will love this. I think a lot of them long for books with illustrations and are afraid to ask for them. I'll be checking this out. Thanks for the heads up.
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