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contessa_montecristo's review against another edition
3.0
Quando ho letto la trama, mi pareva una rilettura del signore delle mosche, ma si รจ evoluta come una bella avventura! Ha anche un risvolto storico ed ecologista, molto moderna!
inwonder's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
rebekkavanh's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
samlo_books's review against another edition
4.0
Before diving into my thoughts on the book I would like to note that I received a copy of The Explorer by Katherine Rundell through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
When I first entered the giveaway I wasn't paying attention to genre, I was struck by the description given. From the inside dust jacket: "From his seat in the tiny airplane, Fred watches the mysteries of the Amazon jungle pass by below him. He has always dreamed of becoming an explorer, of reading his name among the lists of great adventurers. If only he could land and look about him. As the plane smashes into the canopy, Fred is suddenly left without a choice. He and three other children may be alive, but the jungle is a vast untamed place. With no hope of rescue, the chance of getting home feels terrifyingly small. Except, it seems, someone has been there before them...". As the description from the dust jacket insinuates, this novel is a tale of four children who survive a plane crash in the Amazon. The children must come together to find a way to survive in the Amazon with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Once they find a way to survive they must then find a way to return home.
This novel is intended for younger audiences (Grades 3-7/Ages 8-12); however, at the age of 26 I found it to be a light hearted, enjoyable read. The children in the novel are all wildly different. Fred is a boy who battled a life threatening illness and craves adventure like the men in the novels he reads. He is not one to shy away from a challenge or risky behavior in order to survive. Con has been coddled and primped her whole life, forced to act like a proper girl. She is often abrasive throughout the beginning of the novel, questioning each of the other children's decisions. By the end of the book though she has undergone a lot of character development and she starts to embrace life in the Amazon. Lila and Max are siblings. Max is a typical five year old boy who wants to get his way always, but he is perhaps the most observant and honest of the group. Lila is an animal lover and the most level headed of the group. I found myself identifying more with her character than any of the others as I have a younger brother and am very passionate about animals.
The Amazon provides a multitude of challenges for the children to overcome. They must learn how to find food, shelter, and drinkable water. They must battle wildlife, befriend animals, and learn from animals how to forage for food. While trying to survive in the wild jungle, they must also come up with a plan to make it back to civilization. They come across a clue tied in a tree, that leads them on their next leg of adventure, but what they find at the end of the map is completely unexpected. Perhaps the children aren't as alone as they think they are. Throughout the novel the children learn about life and the preservation of nature. They also have to face many tough decisions and do things that make them uncomfortable, but in the end they have an adventure of a lifetime.
Despite the fact that this novel was intended for younger audiences, I think that adults will enjoy reading it with their children (or even by themselves). It reminded me of the simplicity of childhood and how difficult the transition can be into adulthood. It was a fast paced adventure story that I found hard to put down, because I had to know what happened next. I gave it 4 out 5 stars due to a few structural errors that made some sentences hard to read. I would be willing to go with Fred (and the gang) on another adventure.
When I first entered the giveaway I wasn't paying attention to genre, I was struck by the description given. From the inside dust jacket: "From his seat in the tiny airplane, Fred watches the mysteries of the Amazon jungle pass by below him. He has always dreamed of becoming an explorer, of reading his name among the lists of great adventurers. If only he could land and look about him. As the plane smashes into the canopy, Fred is suddenly left without a choice. He and three other children may be alive, but the jungle is a vast untamed place. With no hope of rescue, the chance of getting home feels terrifyingly small. Except, it seems, someone has been there before them...". As the description from the dust jacket insinuates, this novel is a tale of four children who survive a plane crash in the Amazon. The children must come together to find a way to survive in the Amazon with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Once they find a way to survive they must then find a way to return home.
This novel is intended for younger audiences (Grades 3-7/Ages 8-12); however, at the age of 26 I found it to be a light hearted, enjoyable read. The children in the novel are all wildly different. Fred is a boy who battled a life threatening illness and craves adventure like the men in the novels he reads. He is not one to shy away from a challenge or risky behavior in order to survive. Con has been coddled and primped her whole life, forced to act like a proper girl. She is often abrasive throughout the beginning of the novel, questioning each of the other children's decisions. By the end of the book though she has undergone a lot of character development and she starts to embrace life in the Amazon. Lila and Max are siblings. Max is a typical five year old boy who wants to get his way always, but he is perhaps the most observant and honest of the group. Lila is an animal lover and the most level headed of the group. I found myself identifying more with her character than any of the others as I have a younger brother and am very passionate about animals.
The Amazon provides a multitude of challenges for the children to overcome. They must learn how to find food, shelter, and drinkable water. They must battle wildlife, befriend animals, and learn from animals how to forage for food. While trying to survive in the wild jungle, they must also come up with a plan to make it back to civilization. They come across a clue tied in a tree, that leads them on their next leg of adventure, but what they find at the end of the map is completely unexpected. Perhaps the children aren't as alone as they think they are. Throughout the novel the children learn about life and the preservation of nature. They also have to face many tough decisions and do things that make them uncomfortable, but in the end they have an adventure of a lifetime.
Despite the fact that this novel was intended for younger audiences, I think that adults will enjoy reading it with their children (or even by themselves). It reminded me of the simplicity of childhood and how difficult the transition can be into adulthood. It was a fast paced adventure story that I found hard to put down, because I had to know what happened next. I gave it 4 out 5 stars due to a few structural errors that made some sentences hard to read. I would be willing to go with Fred (and the gang) on another adventure.
teacherdactyl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
emmalouiseireland's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
libby_gt's review against another edition
4.0
The first book that I am teaching next year - great for character studies, looking at the adventure genre, and links to rainforests and the Mayans.
sarahrichardsn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5