McKinty, Adrian. The lighthouse land.McKINTY, Adrian. The lighthouse land. Abrams, Amulet amulet (ăm`yəlĭt), object or formula that credulity and superstition have endowed with the power of warding off harmful influences. . 387p. c2006. 0-8109-5480-X. $16.95. JS Adrian McKinty, already well known for his crime novels, enters the realm of YA science fiction with this unusual and original novel, the first in a projected trilogy. 13-year-old Jamie O'Neill This article is about the Irish author. For the country music singer, see Jamie O'Neal. Jamie O'Neill (born 1962 in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland) is an Irish author who lived and worked in England for two decades; he now lives in Gortachalla, in County Galway, , a bone cancer survivor, has been mute mute (my  t), in music, device designed to diminish uniformly the loudness of a musical instrument. since his left arm was amputated at the elbow very near; at hand.See also: Elbow . He and his mother Anna are happy to leave behind their Harlem apartment when Anna inherits a small island off Northern Ireland Northern Ireland: see Ireland, Northern. Northern Ireland Part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland occupying the northeastern portion of the island of Ireland. Area: 5,461 sq mi (14,144 sq km). Population (2001): 1,685,267. . The island has a house and the ruins of a lighthouse. When Jamie and his new friend Ramsay explore it, the boys find that it is a portal to Aldan, a land on a planet across the universe accessed by a mysterious device the boys find in a sealed-off room. Waiting for Jamie is Wishaway, a girl his age, whose task is to wait for the O'Neills, or Ui Neills, Jamie's ancestors Ancestors See also father; heredity; mother; origins; parents; race. archaism an inclination toward old-fashioned things, speech, or actions, especially those of one’s ancestors. Also archaicism. — archaist, n. who had visited the planet and rescued its people centuries before. Jamie and Ramsay help them as well as they can through a combination of quick thinking and luck. Jamie is tempted to stay, because on this planet his arm is restored and he can speak. But a crisis propels him irrevocably back to Northern Ireland where he makes some life-changing decisions. Overall, the story is well constructed and compelling. Jamie is a sympathetic and thoughtful character who refuses to sink to the level of the attackers; he insists that survivors be treated humanely. He is able to apply his experiences in Aldan to his life on Earth and come to terms with his illness, recovery and the results of both. This excursion combining SF and some elements of fantasy is fresh and unique, and it will find a broad audience. Donna Scanlon, Libn., County Lib., Lancaster, PA J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers. S--Recommended for senior high school students. |
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