Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist: Flight of the Phoenix, by R. L. LaFevers, illustrated by Kelly Murphy copyright 2009
I've found a new series to love: the Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist books by R. L. LaFevers.
Thanks to my friend Denise The Librarian, I have a signed copy of the first book, Flight of the Phoenix. Thanks to Google Reader, I knew Robin would be at the Texas Librarians Association meeting, and I knew Denise would be there. So, I got Denise to stop by and greet my friend Robin, at which time she suddenly realized, "Keri's Robin is the author of *those* books?" which prompted additional purchases. A fun time was had by all. Isn't it fun when people from entirely different parts of your life and the country meet? (Unless you are George Costanza who didn't want his worlds to collide.)
Ahem. Let me get back to the adorable Nathaniel.
He was born into a family of great adventurers who, over the centuries, have mapped the entire globe. Sadly, Nathaniel is left at home with a governess, prefers quiet pastimes such as drawing, and only begins to find his Fludd-ness when he must go live with his relative Phil. A. Fludd. A dodo, a gremlin, a camel, a phoenix, and a dastardly villain all appear in this heroic journey, both fictionally, and literally, through the pitch-perfect illustrations of Kelly Murphy . She brilliantly captures Nathaniel's fears and uncertainties, and also depicts some of his drawings as they are mentioned in the narrative.
One of the aspects of this book that I like most is that it has all of the elements of a good story: conflict, action, pathos, fantasy-made-believable, humor, good vs. evil . . . but it's never overdone. It's a little scary but not too scary for the age of the audience intended to read it. It's smart but not so complex it will turn off young readers. Adventurous but not to the point of being cliched or beyond belief. Robin has created real characters in a well-drawn world and every element rings true . . . even the dodo.
If I had a rating system on this blog, Flight of the Phoenix would receive the, "Run, don't walk, to get your hands on this book" designation.
And I'm not just saying that because I like Robin. I do, but I'm not just plugging her book because she's my friend. You all should know me better than that!
Book 2, The Basilisk's Lair launches June 7th!
Image from Robin's site , where you can read an excerpt if you don't believe me.
Thanks to my friend Denise The Librarian, I have a signed copy of the first book, Flight of the Phoenix. Thanks to Google Reader, I knew Robin would be at the Texas Librarians Association meeting, and I knew Denise would be there. So, I got Denise to stop by and greet my friend Robin, at which time she suddenly realized, "Keri's Robin is the author of *those* books?" which prompted additional purchases. A fun time was had by all. Isn't it fun when people from entirely different parts of your life and the country meet? (Unless you are George Costanza who didn't want his worlds to collide.)
Ahem. Let me get back to the adorable Nathaniel.
He was born into a family of great adventurers who, over the centuries, have mapped the entire globe. Sadly, Nathaniel is left at home with a governess, prefers quiet pastimes such as drawing, and only begins to find his Fludd-ness when he must go live with his relative Phil. A. Fludd. A dodo, a gremlin, a camel, a phoenix, and a dastardly villain all appear in this heroic journey, both fictionally, and literally, through the pitch-perfect illustrations of Kelly Murphy . She brilliantly captures Nathaniel's fears and uncertainties, and also depicts some of his drawings as they are mentioned in the narrative.
One of the aspects of this book that I like most is that it has all of the elements of a good story: conflict, action, pathos, fantasy-made-believable, humor, good vs. evil . . . but it's never overdone. It's a little scary but not too scary for the age of the audience intended to read it. It's smart but not so complex it will turn off young readers. Adventurous but not to the point of being cliched or beyond belief. Robin has created real characters in a well-drawn world and every element rings true . . . even the dodo.
If I had a rating system on this blog, Flight of the Phoenix would receive the, "Run, don't walk, to get your hands on this book" designation.
And I'm not just saying that because I like Robin. I do, but I'm not just plugging her book because she's my friend. You all should know me better than that!
Book 2, The Basilisk's Lair launches June 7th!
Image from Robin's site , where you can read an excerpt if you don't believe me.
Does this book have a Lexile number?
It sounds fabulous.
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The Junior Library Guild says Lexile 640L.
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This one's going on the book wish list!
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What age group? It sounds fabulous for my fantasy lovers!
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My guess is 2-3rd grade. It's short, a fast read. Amazon/the publisher says grades 3-5.
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Keep posting and keep providing nice and great information.
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