Scan barcode
iceangel32's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book even though I was able to put it down for a little and not crave to pick it back up. However I see children really enjoying this book. I do see how this could be a good book to teach children with too. There is lots of vocabulary word that Celia teaches her brother and that the children learn. They also learn of far away places like Tibet. The website had more information about Tibet and a place that one could write what they learn when figuring out what is real or not (which is told to the readers from the author). Time to read the second one, being I have it from the library already.
sparklingreader's review against another edition
4.0
Eleven-year old twins, Celia and Oliver Navel want nothing more than to be left alone to watch their favorite television shows. Unfortunately, having two parents who are famous explorers and living at the Explorer Club makes this difficult. Their mother disappeared three years ago while on an adventure. To them, exploring is dirty, disgusting, and dangerous. If they want to see real life, they figure they can watch a reality TV show. But a cryptic message from their mother forces them into the adventure of a lifetime. Not only is finding her at stake, but because of a stupid bet their father made with Sir Edmund, a horrible little man who wants to kick them out of their home, they not only have to find their mother, but the tablets from the lost library of Alexandria. Without those tablets, they will be forced to work for Sir Edmund for the next seven years. But at least they’d have cable TV. What follows is a funny, unbelievable adventure that would wow almost any kid – but not Celia and Oliver. They still find it dirty, dangerous, and disgusting.
This is a light-hearted, fun adventure that will appeal to both boys and girls. There is action, adventure, danger, and family issues. It is also very obvious that this will be a series. Though the main storyline in this book comes to a satisfying ending, the story is very definitely not over. Normally, this irritates me, but I had so much fun reading this that I will forgive the obvious marketing ploy that will force me to purchase the following book(s).
Recommended for any young (age 9 and up) reader with an interest in action/adventure books.
This is a light-hearted, fun adventure that will appeal to both boys and girls. There is action, adventure, danger, and family issues. It is also very obvious that this will be a series. Though the main storyline in this book comes to a satisfying ending, the story is very definitely not over. Normally, this irritates me, but I had so much fun reading this that I will forgive the obvious marketing ploy that will force me to purchase the following book(s).
Recommended for any young (age 9 and up) reader with an interest in action/adventure books.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
3.0
This book somehow had a flavor of the Series of Unfortunate Events. I was a little annoyed at the beginning with the tone and style, but the action made up for it later and I enjoyed it more once things started happening all over the place. Overall it was a fun romp.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
I guess younger readers really like that slightly snarky, tongue-in-cheek tone because there are so many books that utilize it, including this one. Not quite An Unfortunate Event (or Adventure), this book is in the same family as Mysterious Benedict Society or the Blue Baillet mysteries.
Of course there are double-crosses and people who aren't quite what they seem, impossible escapes, interesting locales vaguely based in reality - all the elements we now expect from this genre (although the television series names would be funnier if I didn't suspect that we'll see similar shows in the near future!). And equally of course the ending leads directly into the next in the series.
ARC provided by publisher.
Of course there are double-crosses and people who aren't quite what they seem, impossible escapes, interesting locales vaguely based in reality - all the elements we now expect from this genre (although the television series names would be funnier if I didn't suspect that we'll see similar shows in the near future!). And equally of course the ending leads directly into the next in the series.
ARC provided by publisher.
thomcat's review
4.0
Read with daughter, 10. She enjoyed the book, and it has the makings of an interesting series. It was refreshing to see bits of history and fact fitted into the story.
wordnerd153's review
3.0
The book hooked me immediately with its wacky humor and ridiculous situations, but it was initially difficult to like the two protagonists, since all they care about is TV and lack any type of curiosity about the world. The father was also obnoxious in his obliviousness. Fun adventure, though, and fast pace. I might just have to read the next book in the series.
mugadum's review against another edition
Relatable twins (TV couch potato maniacs) form the bulk of the story. It's not a stand on your feet pumping adrenaline type story, but more of a slow burn adventure with reluctant heroes.
kiraly's review against another edition
3.0
A twist on the typical children's adventure story. The protagonists are adamantly opposed to having adventures, want nothing to do with exploring, and would really like to watch television all day. But they end up adventuring anyway, and this book is the result.
natalierobinld's review
5.0
You have no idea how good this book is!
We all have days where we want to curl up on the couch and spend the afternoon with a remote in our hand. Twins Celia and Oliver Navel have that day every day. But in spite of their best intentions, and their encyclopedic knowledge of TV, their explorer-parents and a race to find the Lost Library of Alexandria tear them from their comfy couch and drop them into the wilds of Tibet.They face all kinds of dangers, confusions and complicated wagers as they struggle to get back to the safety of their apartment and a TV that might even have cable!
Full of misadventures, accidental revelations and just a little bit of magic, WE ARE NOT EATEN BY YAKS is fun for kids AND grown-ups. This is the kind of book that gets reluctant readers reading. Celia and Oliver (and their well-intentioned if easily distracted parents) stumble through the jungles in a mix of hilarity, sarcasm and good-old-fashioned adventure. This is Indiana Jones meets Lemony Snicket - but with only the good parts!
And the real question is: ARE yaks vegetarians?!
We all have days where we want to curl up on the couch and spend the afternoon with a remote in our hand. Twins Celia and Oliver Navel have that day every day. But in spite of their best intentions, and their encyclopedic knowledge of TV, their explorer-parents and a race to find the Lost Library of Alexandria tear them from their comfy couch and drop them into the wilds of Tibet.They face all kinds of dangers, confusions and complicated wagers as they struggle to get back to the safety of their apartment and a TV that might even have cable!
Full of misadventures, accidental revelations and just a little bit of magic, WE ARE NOT EATEN BY YAKS is fun for kids AND grown-ups. This is the kind of book that gets reluctant readers reading. Celia and Oliver (and their well-intentioned if easily distracted parents) stumble through the jungles in a mix of hilarity, sarcasm and good-old-fashioned adventure. This is Indiana Jones meets Lemony Snicket - but with only the good parts!
And the real question is: ARE yaks vegetarians?!
More...