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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
I loved the atmosphere of this book and the kids imaginations. However, there are a lot of very unpleasant adult women in this book to the extent that it made me uncomfortable.
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Engaging story, excellent illustrations. I read it with my 10 year old son and he really liked it a lot. Adventure, mystery, friendship....all the elements of an excellent novel!
Archer B. Helmsley is the grandson of the famous explorers Ralph and Rachel Helmsley. He lives with his parents in Helmsley House, which is filled with memorabilia collected by his explorer grandparents. There are stuffed polar bears, and flamingos, and many other interesting things. Tragically Ralph and Rachel were lost on an iceberg near Antarctica.
However, his father is a lawyer and his mother is afraid that Archer has "Tendencies", which means she fears that he will follow in his grandparent's footsteps. Archer is forbidden to leave the house except for school, and so he dreams of adventures. He befriends Oliver who also goes to his school, and lives next door, Oliver is timid but very funny, and very much wants a friend. Soon a new girl Adelaide, moves in across from Archer. Adelaide has a wooden leg because of a terrible accident. She is also tiny, but brave.
Archer wants an adventure, and he is convinced that his grandparents are alive, what could be better than to stow away to Antarctica and rescue them?
When you read the Doldrums you enter a funny quirky world full of eccentric characters, and surprising situations.
Here is the teacher Mrs. Murkley, talking to Adelaide: "Where's your other leg? Are you trying to make me look extravagant for going about on two?"
However, his father is a lawyer and his mother is afraid that Archer has "Tendencies", which means she fears that he will follow in his grandparent's footsteps. Archer is forbidden to leave the house except for school, and so he dreams of adventures. He befriends Oliver who also goes to his school, and lives next door, Oliver is timid but very funny, and very much wants a friend. Soon a new girl Adelaide, moves in across from Archer. Adelaide has a wooden leg because of a terrible accident. She is also tiny, but brave.
Archer wants an adventure, and he is convinced that his grandparents are alive, what could be better than to stow away to Antarctica and rescue them?
When you read the Doldrums you enter a funny quirky world full of eccentric characters, and surprising situations.
Here is the teacher Mrs. Murkley, talking to Adelaide: "Where's your other leg? Are you trying to make me look extravagant for going about on two?"
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Archer is a dreamer and longs for adventure. Oliver is more timid and prefers safety but longs for friendship. These two boys happen to be neighbors and along the way, a friendship begins to grow. When Adelaide moves to town, she gets swept into the mystery and adventure to uncover family secrets and track down his grandparents.
While I really like how the book began, but the story became long and became a setup for the sequel.
While I really like how the book began, but the story became long and became a setup for the sequel.
Despite the fact that not much action takes place in this book, I must say, I really liked it.
It reminded me of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events sometimes.
The Doldrums follows young Archer Helmsley, grandson to the Helmsley Explorers whom are said to have disappeared on an iceberg at the beginning of the story. Heartbroken, Archer decides to form a plan to go and rescue his grandparents.
Spoilers Ahead:
I agree with the many 1 star reviews, not much happen. There is the promise of some exciting adventures that never truly comes, however, the Doldrums is a two part story. And in order for the real adventure to start, Archer needed to have some proof that we wouldn't be going to the end of the world for nothing. Let us not forget that there is no magic whatsoever in this story, no real tragedy, it then complicated for a group of 11 year-old to go on a big adventure on the other side of the globe without their parents knowing.
The characters are relatable in the sense that are quite plain in the "ordinary" kind of way, nothing extraordinary happens in their lives so they try to make it happen. They are constantly pushing their luck. That is why I loved this story.
I love that Archer sticks to his belief that his grandparents are alive no matter what the rest of the world says, and that despite his over protective mother and his passive father and abusive teacher, he still does everything in his power to follow his plan. I love that Oliver, who is not adventurous, chooses to stick wih his friends and put his fears aside in the name of friendship. And I love that Adelaide was able to finally admit what happened to her and make peace with her accident. To me, it is a story of friendship, maybe not in the conventional way, but it still portrays a solid picture of friendship.
As for the illustrations, they added something dreamy to the text. They were never meant to portray the narrative, but simply to give the read a base, an idea of the world the story takes place in.
I am really looking forward to reading the second book.
It reminded me of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events sometimes.
The Doldrums follows young Archer Helmsley, grandson to the Helmsley Explorers whom are said to have disappeared on an iceberg at the beginning of the story. Heartbroken, Archer decides to form a plan to go and rescue his grandparents.
Spoilers Ahead:
I agree with the many 1 star reviews, not much happen. There is the promise of some exciting adventures that never truly comes, however, the Doldrums is a two part story. And in order for the real adventure to start, Archer needed to have some proof that we wouldn't be going to the end of the world for nothing. Let us not forget that there is no magic whatsoever in this story, no real tragedy, it then complicated for a group of 11 year-old to go on a big adventure on the other side of the globe without their parents knowing.
The characters are relatable in the sense that are quite plain in the "ordinary" kind of way, nothing extraordinary happens in their lives so they try to make it happen. They are constantly pushing their luck. That is why I loved this story.
I love that Archer sticks to his belief that his grandparents are alive no matter what the rest of the world says, and that despite his over protective mother and his passive father and abusive teacher, he still does everything in his power to follow his plan. I love that Oliver, who is not adventurous, chooses to stick wih his friends and put his fears aside in the name of friendship. And I love that Adelaide was able to finally admit what happened to her and make peace with her accident. To me, it is a story of friendship, maybe not in the conventional way, but it still portrays a solid picture of friendship.
As for the illustrations, they added something dreamy to the text. They were never meant to portray the narrative, but simply to give the read a base, an idea of the world the story takes place in.
I am really looking forward to reading the second book.