Posts made in December 8th, 2009

Book Shopping, Day Eight

Posted by elizabeth on Dec 8, 2009 in Books, Christmas Shopping | Comments Off

I just love this book’s cover. I’d pick it up for the cover alone. And then when I’d leaf through the pages and see the wonderful illustrations and discover the story featuring a plucky ten-year-old boy whose “family business” is mapmaking and beastology, I’d really be hooked.

I have a seven-year-old boy on my own holiday gift list who may be a wee skosh young for this, but I know he’ll love the story and the sketches and the beasts (particularly the beasts) and he has a wonderful teacher mom who will help him through this first book. I think he’ll quickly grow into the rest of the series.

The Flight of the Phoenix (Nathanial Fludd: Beastologist, Book One) is a Junior Literary Guild Selection. School Library Journal calls it “a quick and enriching read” and notes “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.”

The author R.L. LaFevers will send a personalized bookplate to anyone who purchases this book in December, as a way to give your gift that special touch. Yay, Robin! Just go to her website and click the “Contact” tab for her email address.

The Flight of the Phoenix (Nathanial Fludd: Beastologist, Book One) by R.L. LaFevers is available at Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Amazon, and of course from your favorite independent bookstore.