Entries Categorized as 'Adventure'

Sky Island

Our rating: *****

When Trot, Cap’n Bill and Button Bright go for a ride on their magic umbrella, they accidentally end up on Sky Island where they are taken as slaves for Boolooroo, king of the Blueskins. They must escape, find the umbrella and the book of records to prove that the cruel Boolooroo has tricked his subjects by ruling for a longer time than he is allowed. They have reason to believe that the Pinkies inhabiting the other side of the island would aid them in overthrowing the king, but the island is separated by an impassable fog barrier.

Although this book has nothing to do with Oz, it’s written in the same manner that the well-beloved Oz books are. It has many hilarious word plays and makes a great read-aloud. I think this story proves that L. Frank Baum’s imagination truly has no limits. He’s created a Sky Island “somewhere over the rainbow” that readers of all ages can enjoy.

Around the World in Eighty Days

Our rating: *****

On October 2nd 1872, Phileas Fogg, an English gentlemen who lives a life of clock-like regularity, makes a 20,000 pound bet with his friends at the reform club that it is possible to travel around the world in eighty days. Phileas leaves at once, barely giving Passepartout, his valet, time to pack their bags. Everything seems fine, but soon Phileas Fogg is followed by a detective named Fix, who has reason to believe that Fogg is a bank robber. Will Phileas Fogg be able to win his wager? And will he be arrested by Fix? This is a classic Jules Verne with a surprising ending.

Great book! Phileas is so irritatingly calm that you may find yourself panicking more than usual just to make up for it. I have seen the movie starring David Niven and there are quite a few differences from the book. But, it still is enjoyable. (Can you guess what I’m going to say next?) Close! First I’m going to say that the ending surprised me (in a good way). Okay, now I’ll say it: Read this book! It’s one of Jules Verne’s best.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Our rating: **½

Charlie Bucket lives in a small house with Grandpa George, Grandma Georgina, Grandpa Joe, Grandma Josephine, and Mr. and Mrs. Bucket. Near their house is a big chocolate factory owned by Mr. Willy Wonka. The factory gates are always closed and nobody goes in or out of the building, yet the factory keeps making candy. Some people report mysterious little shadows inside. Then, Mr. Wonka hides five Golden Tickets in Wonka candy bars. The winners will tour the factory and go home with a life-time supply of candy. Charlie hopes to find a Golden Ticket, but as the family is very poor, it doesn’t seem likely.

There’s some stuff in this book I wish Roald Dahl had left out. Someone made Charlie and the Chocolate Factory into a movie, but I’ve heard it’s not very good.

Rinkitink in Oz

Our rating: *****

Rinkitink, the fat and jolly king, along with Bilbil, his grouchy goat, arrive at the peaceful island of Pingaree where vast quantities of pearls are harvested every year. During their visit, Pingaree is attacked by warriors from the islands of Regos and Coregos who carry off the entire inhabitants of the island. Only Rinkitink, Bilbil and Prince Inga escape. They set off together to rescue the prince’s people, aided by three magic pearls: a pink pearl that will protect its owner from all dangers, a blue pearl that will give to the person who carries it a strength so great that no power can resist him, and a pure white pearl, which can speak, and its words are always wise and helpful. Their quest leads them across the Nonestic Ocean to the islands of Regos and Coregos and, eventually, to the dark underground domains of the Nome King himself, where Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz arrive just in time.

I hadn’t read the Oz books in quite some time, so going back through and re-reading them was a delight. They’re written in a style that people of all ages can enjoy and love. Rinkitink is always laughing and the three magic pearls add an exciting twist to a wonderful story. Rinkitink in Oz was and is one of my favorites.

Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz

Our rating: ****

Dorothy, her cat Eureka, a horse named Jim and Dorothy’s cousin Zeb are caught in an earthquake and fall into the depths of the earth. They find themselves in a strange country, where the people are vegetables. While the vegetable people are deciding what to do with them, Dorothy’s old friend, the Wizard of Oz, falls from the sky in his balloon. He joins them in an attempt to escape the vegetable people and get back to the surface of the earth. But they may have to journey to Oz.

I didn’t like this one quite as much. It’s only the fourth in the series, and as you read through the whole series, it gets a little better. About two thirds of this book is about the journey to Oz, and the rest is about what they do when they get there. It’s a fun story, but I enjoyed the fifth book The Road to Oz a lot better.