Perma-Bound Edition ©2009 | -- |
Paperback ©2010 | -- |
Series and Publisher: Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist
Phoenix (Mythical bird). Fiction.
Animals, Mythical. Fiction.
Cousins. Fiction.
Bedouins. Fiction.
Orphans. Fiction.
Middle East. Fiction.
Ten-year-old Nathanial Fludd, who lives with his governess, has been waiting since his eighth birthday to be summoned by his parents, who are beastologists. Unfortunately, the only summoning comes from the family lawyer, who explains that Nathanial's parents have been lost at sea. After being sent to live with a distant relative, Nathanial has only just settled in when he finds himself being whisked along to Arabia, where he witnesses the birth of a phoenix, an event so rare it only happens every 500 years. This is a fast-paced story that successfully combines fantasy and history into an entertaining, believable world. LaFevers provides some details about the extensive Fludd family tree and the origins of beastology, but there are still plenty of mysteries left for a sequel. Nathanial proves himself to be a resourceful and brave protagonist who readers will root for. Lively pen-and-ink illustrations complement this first entry in the Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist series.
Horn BookWhen his adventurer parents are declared lost at sea, Nathaniel Fludd is sent to live with an unusual relative. He promptly finds himself on a rickety plane to Arabia where he helps birth a phoenix, befriends a gremlin, and finds out exactly what it means to be a Fludd. LeFevers's droll text is accompanied by Murphy's well-textured black-and-white drawings.
Kirkus ReviewsWhen his parents are declared lost at sea in 1928, ten-year-old Nate is sent to live with a cousin, who whisks him off to Arabia to watch the fiery death and rebirth of a phoenix. In this series opener, Nate learns he is heir to a long tradition of mapmakers and beastologists, people who study animals thought to be mythological or extinct. He acquires a gremlin friend, Greasle, and proves himself worthy of the Fludd family compass. The series has a promising premise and this first installment is well paced and complete, although tantalizing loose ends will frustrate readers who will want to know NOW about the missing letters, the mysterious thief and the actual fate of Nate's parents. Playing freely with historical detail and using traditions of English boys' adventure stories and colonial cliches about Bedouin culture, this American author has crafted an exciting tale. Straightforward sentences, chronological narrative, short chapters and Murphy's plentiful black-and-white illustrations make this appropriate for middle-grade readers looking for a series to grow with. (Fantasy. 8-12)
School Library JournalGr 3-5 This is a solid start to a new series. Ten-year-old Nathaniel Fludd's parents have been off on an adventure for three years and are now, in 1928, declared lost at sea at the North Pole. Thus begin Nate's own escapades as he goes to live with his Aunt Phil A. Fludd in Batting-at-the-Flies and learn the family business of mapmaking and beastology. Even though Nate has always resisted adventure, he now finds himself meeting an extraordinary talking dodo bird and talking gremlins, and he and Aunt Phil fly to Arabia to oversee the birth of a phoenix. When his aunt is taken by the Bedouin, Nate must summon his courage to protect the phoenix and save her. The story is packed with adventure and mythological creatures. Children who love fantasy, myth, exotic settings, and even a little dose of history will relate to Nate as he discovers his inner hero and carries on the Fludd family tradition. The characters are strongly developed and the period illustrations done in line, including some of Nate's own sketches, enhance the tale. A quick and enriching read that will appeal to a wide variety of children. Jane Cronkhite, San Jose Public Library, CA
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receive. Her cheeks grew pink with pleasure. "Well, that should do very nicely.""In fact," the lawyer said, "my clerk is holding the
funds for you. If you’d like to check with him when we’re done—"Miss Lumpton stood up. "I think we’re done."Nate looked at her in surprise.Hedidn’t think they were done. He didn’t understand why he couldn’t stay with Miss Lumpton. Why couldn’t things go on the way they had for the past three years?His governess came over to where he sat and gave him an awkward pat on the head. "Good luck, dear boy." She grabbed one of the suitcases and left the room in search of her Tidy Sum.Nate did feel like crying then. Instead, he blinked quite fast."Now," the lawyer boomed, "we must go, too." He pulled a pocket watch from his vest and looked at it. "You have a train to catch.""A train?" Nate asked."Yes. Now put that book of yours away and come along." The lawyer closed his watch with a snap. "Eh, what have you drawn there?" he asked. "A walrus?""Er, yes." Nate shut the sketchbook quickly, before the lawyer could recognize himself."Well, do hurry. It wouldn’t do to miss the train. It wouldn’t do at all." The lawyer came out from behind his desk and grabbed Nate’s suitcase.Nate stood up and tucked his sketchbook under his arm. The lawyer clamped his hand onto Nate’s shoulder and steered him out of the office.Nate had to take giant steps to keep up. The train station was only two blocks away, but Nate was out of breath by the time they got there."All aboard!" the conductor called out."Here." The lawyer thrust the suitcase at Nate and shoved a ticket into his hand. "Hurry, boy! They won’t hold the train for you." His voice was gruff and impatient. Nate wondered if the lawyer would get a Tidy Sum for getting him on the train.Once he was onboard, Nate hurried to the window to wave goodbye, but the lawyer had already left.
Excerpted from Flight of the Phoenix by R. L. LaFevers
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
Nathaniel Fludd’s life has taken a turn for the worst. With his parents lost at sea, he lands on the doorstep of a distant cousin—the world’s last remaining beastologist. Soon Nate is whisked off on his first expedition, to Arabia, where the world’s only phoenix prepares to lay its new egg. When disaster strikes, Nate quickly finds himself all alone.
Will he be able to see the phoenix safely hatched, keep his accidental pet gremlin out of trouble, and rescue his guardian from the Bedouin? If he fails, nothing will stand between the world’s mythical creatures and extinction.
Too bad Nate’s not the sort of boy who enjoys adventure . . .yet.