Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Nathaniel Fludd: Beastologist Book One -- off to a good start

LaFevers, R. L. (2009) Nathaniel Fludd: Beastologist, Book One (Flight of the Phoenix)  Boston:  Houghton Mifflin.

 
This is a pretty well written book.  It isn't the most spectacular thing I have read this year (or even this month), but it is good, solid storytelling -- and since there are now 5 books in the series, it will keep fourth through sixth graders busy reading some interesting stories.
 
In this first book in the series, we meet 10 year old Nathaniel Fludd.  His parents were declared lost at sea and he is on his way to meet his new guardian -- Aunt Phil (short for Philomenia).  Aunt Phil explains to Nathaniel that the Fludds have always been beastologists -- those who study mythical beasts.  The next thing Nathaniel knows, he and Aunt Phil are aloft in a rickety plane in search of the elusive phoenix.   
 
I could be wrong, but I don't think this book will ever be anyone's absolute favorite, but it is certainly a series that kids will enjoy a great deal.  If you are going to buy a kid one book this Christmas, this probably isn't it.  But if you are going to buy five books for someone, Nathaniel Fludd might deserve a place in that pile.
 

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