Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
Similar to A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, The Doldrums is the story of Archer Helmsley, the grandson of famous explorers Ralph and Rachel Helmsley. Archer's mother doesn't want him to grow up like his grandparents who are always off on dangerous adventures so she forbids him to go outside except for school. When Ralph & Rachel disappear after exploring an iceberg in the Antarctic, Archer decides to go find them. Knowing he needs a sidekick he befriends the neighbor Oliver Glub and the new girl on the block Adelaide Belmont who has a wooden leg which she says has been bitten off by a crocodile. The Doldrums is a fun middle grade novel about an unlikely trio of friends and their faraway dreams.
http://pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2016/comments_12/doldrums.html
I definitely didn't expect to like this as much as I did, and I dove straight into the second book after finishing this one. If you're in need of a fun middle great, I'd definitely go for this one. It has so many great elements, from the main character's grandparents being famous explorers and him desperately trying to go on an adventure, but it all going a bit (or a lot) differently than planned, to the amazing friendship and characters. Reading this made me incredibly happy.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall, it was a cute story.
... and the best way to describe it?
It was pretty much Mrs. Dursley meets Matilda meets Indiana Jones.
But I also felt like the entire book was a setup for the next book, so... it seemed like nothing of importance really happened.
... and the best way to describe it?
It was pretty much Mrs. Dursley meets Matilda meets Indiana Jones.
But I also felt like the entire book was a setup for the next book, so... it seemed like nothing of importance really happened.
You are never too old to read children's books, especially when they have such beautiful illustrations like this one. A beautifully written story about adventure and true friendship!
Took a while to get into and not much happens. A very anticlimactic ending. the illustrations are gorgeous though
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5/5
Felt a bit overly whimsical (lots of middle initials, old-fashioned last names, accents on letters) and slow at times, but it was very cute and I did like what it had to say about friendship and adventure. It was pretty fun once it really got going!
Felt a bit overly whimsical (lots of middle initials, old-fashioned last names, accents on letters) and slow at times, but it was very cute and I did like what it had to say about friendship and adventure. It was pretty fun once it really got going!