Oppel, Kenneth. Airborn.OPPEL, Kenneth. Airborn. HarperCollins. 501p. c2004. 0-06-053182-7. $6.99. J* To quote the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, May 2004: Oppel, the author of the Silverwing series about bats, turns his attention here to other things that fly: blimp-like airships that travel the skyways, as well as mysterious winged mammals dubbed dub 1 tr.v. dubbed, dub·bing, dubs 1. To tap lightly on the shoulder by way of conferring knighthood. 2. To honor with a new title or description. 3. "cloud cats." Our protagonist and narrator NARRATOR. A pleader who draws narrs serviens narrator, a sergeant at law. Fleta, 1. 2, c. 37. Obsolete. is brave young Matt, a cabin boy on the airship airship, an aircraft that consists of a cigar-shaped gas bag, or envelope, filled with a lighter-than-air gas to provide lift, a propulsion system, a steering mechanism, and a gondola accommodating passengers, crew, and cargo. Aurora. When a hot-air balloon threatens to collide col·lide intr.v. col·lid·ed, col·lid·ing, col·lides 1. To come together with violent, direct impact. 2. with the Aurora, agile Matt is able to swing over and avert catastrophe. The gravely ill balloonist mutters Mutters is a muncipality in the Austrian state of Tyrol in the district of Innsbruck-Land. • • [ about seeing strange flying creatures, and at first Matt thinks he's raving rav·ing adj. 1. Talking or behaving irrationally; wild: a raving maniac. 2. Exciting admiration: a raving beauty. n. . Then, a year later, the balloonist's granddaughter, Kate, arrives on the Aurora as a passenger, eager to further investigate the existence of these animals. When the airship is boarded by pirates and then crash-lands on an uncharted desert island near where Kate's grandfather had spotted the creatures, the two young people explore their surroundings and encounter a beautiful but dangerous specimen. This fantasy is set in an unspecified era, perhaps 100 years ago, when girls were expected to act ladylike--of course Kate is uninterested in becoming a lady, and instead eager to become a scientist. She is as brave as Matt, and the two have adventure after adventure in this exciting tale, which will appeal to upper elementary, middle school, and junior high students. (An ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults.) Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers. *--The asterisk highlights exceptional books. |
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