Oppel, K. (2005). Airborn (p. 544). Eos.
ISBN : 00060531827
$17.99 hardcover
Reader's Annotation: Matt, a cabin boy on a luxury airship, helps a girl discover a new creature, battles pirates, and tries to save the home he loves.
Summary: Matt Cruse was born in the air. His love for life aloft has led him to a job as a cabin boy on the Aurora, a luxury airship. One night he is stationed in the crow's nest, and he spots a balloon drifting aimlessly. The Aurora goes the aid of the balloon, and Matt finds an elderly man, nearly dead, in the basket. Before he dies, the man asks Matt if he's seen them. He tells Matt that Kate would love them. Matt has no idea what the man means, until a year later, when Kate de Vries, a wealthy girl about his own age, comes aboard the ship. She is the man's granddaughter, and she has his journal. The man saw flying creatures, something like cats or bats, unlike anything ever seen before. Kate wants Matt's help tracking them down. And then, the Aurora is boarded by pirates and makes a crash landing on an island. That's when things really start to get interesting.
Genre: fiction, fantasy, action, adventure
Series :
- Airborn
- Skybreaker
- Starclimber (to be published in 2009)
Evaluation: A fantastic adventure story, with well developed characters and plenty of action. This is one of my favorite reads of the semester, I couldn't put it down. Beautiful descriptions of life in the air. I want to fly on the Aurora.
Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: Plenty of fantastical elements and lots of action, this book would appeal to tween readers, either boys or girls. There is something in this book for nearly every reader. I have heard the full cast audio is also fantastic. This was a Michael L. Printz honor book, the winner of the Governor General's award, and several others. It is being made into a movie, as well.
Readalikes :
- Maximum Ride books by James Patterson
- His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman
- Artemis Fowl books by Eoin Colfer
Reviews:
From School Library Journal
Grade 6–10—Once in a long while, an adventure story captures the mind and the heart of listeners/readers, creating a miniature world that makes a deep impression on them. Such is the case with Kenneth Oppel's Printz Honor Book (Eos, 2004) which weaves a magical tale of adventure, treachery, friendship, and courage. Taking place in a future where airships and blimps travel across the Atlanticus and the Pacificus Oceans, cabin boy Matt Cruse, on board the Aurora, battles pirates and prehistoric cloudcats, accompanied by spirited heiress Kate DeVries. A cast of 32 actors, including high school sophomore David Kelly (as the voice of Matt Cruse), delivers riveting narration and excellent vocal special effects (such as the ship's captain speaking through his radio). Full of fun, adventure, and heart, Airborn makes for a one-of-kind listening experience. Fans of period history, science fiction, and adventure will cheer Matt along. This ALSC 2007 Notable Recording and YALSA 2007 Selected Audiobook for Young Adults is a must for young adult collections.—Larry Cooperman, Seminole High School, Sanford, FL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
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