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A review by katykelly
Wonderscape by Jennifer Bell
4.0
4.5 stars.
A bit of everything: science, history, gaming in a futuristic escape room.
A great ride, easy to get caught up in this - and it really does have a bit of everything. Three schoolchildren find themselves caught up in a very different world - and time - after exploding gnomes lead them to a lost dog, an abandoned house... and a portal into the future... into a game world in the future.
Learning quickly that the three of them will need to work together to solve puzzles to find their way home, Arthur, Ren and Cecily (with dog Cloud) discover they will need any cultural knowledge they have, facts about science, history in order to win challenges and navigate a game world with its own politics and problems.
The idea of this is outstanding for young readers, celebrating science and academia, giving us insights into historically significant figures, exposition including mathematics and astronomy alike.
With too many coincidences as ever, you ignore this sort of thing to try and enjoy the world-building, the visions of future society, and seeing where the threesome can push themselves to reach - the imagination is outstanding, and there are lessons here about not judging by appearances and a great opening for more books to come.
Huge amounts of fun, and I loved its emphasis on skills and knowledge, without compromising the enjoyment.
For ages 9 and above.
A bit of everything: science, history, gaming in a futuristic escape room.
A great ride, easy to get caught up in this - and it really does have a bit of everything. Three schoolchildren find themselves caught up in a very different world - and time - after exploding gnomes lead them to a lost dog, an abandoned house... and a portal into the future... into a game world in the future.
Learning quickly that the three of them will need to work together to solve puzzles to find their way home, Arthur, Ren and Cecily (with dog Cloud) discover they will need any cultural knowledge they have, facts about science, history in order to win challenges and navigate a game world with its own politics and problems.
The idea of this is outstanding for young readers, celebrating science and academia, giving us insights into historically significant figures, exposition including mathematics and astronomy alike.
With too many coincidences as ever, you ignore this sort of thing to try and enjoy the world-building, the visions of future society, and seeing where the threesome can push themselves to reach - the imagination is outstanding, and there are lessons here about not judging by appearances and a great opening for more books to come.
Huge amounts of fun, and I loved its emphasis on skills and knowledge, without compromising the enjoyment.
For ages 9 and above.