Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I don't think there is any author out there that writes kids characters as well as Gennifer Choldenko. With the Tompkins kids, she has created a family of siblings that are portrayed so realistically that when all the crazy things start happening to them, the reader is just sucked right along for what turns out to be a very crazy ride.
India is 14 and totally self obsessed, much like any young teenage girl. Look a little deeper and you will see her insecurity and overwhelming desire to be loved and appreciated. Finn is 12 and the worrier of the family. He wants to make everything right for everybody. Perhaps my favorite character is Mouse, the six year old genius. She's only in kindergarten but does fifth grade math and asks questions about everything. Her brain travels a hundred miles per hour and the author does a fantastic job with her dialogue. Named Mouse because she squeaks so much, she is a character of marvelous depth and charm.
All of these characters are dealing with some harsh realities. Their mom has just told them that the bank is foreclosing on their house and they have to move to Colorado to stay with an uncle that none of them have ever met. For India it means leaving her friends, for Finn it means leaving his basketball dreams, and for Mouse, it means leaving their mother who has to stay behind and finish out the school year.
This has all the makings of a realistic story about an increasingly common circumstance, but when the plane the kids are traveling on makes an early landing, the story shifts dramatically into the fantasy realm. It's quite a shock, but the author handles it seamlessly and before you know it you are traveling down the highway in a pink taxi with feathers. I can't really speak to much more of the plot without giving too much away, except to say that the kids go on an adventure that will test their mettle and help them come to some realizations about their own strengths and how much they love each other. The story turns into something that is highly original, very clever, and completely well imagined.
As an adult reader, I really loved this story. It will be a challenging read for any kid age 10 and up. Some elements can initially be confusing, but any reader who enjoys solving puzzles, or just figuring things out will get a big kick out of this one. The author doesn't just lay the story out for you, you have to do a bit of thinking and pay close attention to detail. Those that do will be rewarded with not only a grand story of adventure, but also a tale of some unexpected depth. There is quite a bit of humor, and also some deep felt emotions. This is an enthusiastic recommend, especially for middle schoolers on up.
Click Here to see more reviews about: No Passengers Beyond This Point
Click here for more information about No Passengers Beyond This Point
0 comments:
Post a Comment