Tag: Gordon-Korman • BookLikes

review 2020-04-08 23:20

For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle

While I absolutely loved the first book in the series, I feel like my interest level dropped as the series went on. The events just became too unbelievable. This was a good wrap-up to the series, but parts were just so dramatic and extreme that they kind of took me out of the story.

The book was still well-written, but I missed all of the interesting information given in the first book about ships, marine life, and survival techniques. My general impression was that there was less of that in this one. Still a good read, but after how much I enjoyed the first one, this one fell a bit flat.

This is still a great series for young readers, especially reluctant readers who may be incentivized by the quick pace and high level of adventure and suspense. Overall, a good series with a lot of interesting information. This was my least favorite, but it was still a good read.

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review 2020-03-26 15:03

FatherCraneMadeMeDoIt

Survival (Island II) - Gordon Korman,Holter Graham

For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle

One thing that I really enjoy about this series is how seamlessly Korman works in various facts and educational tidbits. The adventure and survival aspects of the story are so exciting to read that you don't even realize you are learning as well (mostly thanks to Ian, the information-packed TV-addict). It was interesting to learn about various topics such as history and smuggling. As the survivors learn more about the island they have landed on, things really heat up.

I will say I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first one. The story was good and well-written, but the plot got so intense that it was hardly believable. Despite my best efforts to suspend my disbelief, there was just too many random hardships thrown in for me not to question. How can anyone's luck be that bad? But it does make for an interesting story.

While this book is best read after the first one, I do think it can be read as a standalone as there is a good deal of recap worked into the narration. Although, I do highly recommend the first book, especially if the reader is interested in ships.

This was still a very good read filled with adventure, suspense, (sneaky education,) and excitement. I am looking forward to the third book to see how all of this craziness ends.

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review 2020-03-22 16:28

FatherCraneMadeMeDoIt

For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle

I stumbled across a copy of this book in a Lending Library and thought it would be an interesting, quick read.

From the start, I was instantly swept up in the story. The premise of the book is that a group of kids are put into a reform program in which they work on a ship that sets out into the Pacific Ocean. Based on the title, I was assuming things would progress more quickly, but I did enjoy the narration of the various jobs and parts of the ship as well as the lingo used. It was an interesting way to incorporate educational aspects into an adventure book. A storm hits and things don't go as planned, which leads to some suspenseful moments.

This book was very well-written. It was easy to get caught up in the story. With six kids as characters, I did have a slightly hard time keeping them all straight, especially the boys. However, the writing is amazing and I think young readers would really enjoy it. There is a lot of interesting information presented about survival tactics, shipwrecks, and marine animals (thanks mostly to Ian, the TV-addict), which added to the adventure qualities of the book to create a fascinating read.

I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would. As soon as I finished it, I immediately wanted to read the second one (sadly the Lending Library only had books one and three). My local library has an audiobook of the second book and I am looking forward to listening to it to find out what happens next. A great series to get lost in.

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review 2018-08-01 00:00

Shipwreck (Island I)

theatreloverslittlebooknook

Good book however, it was a bit slow at parts.Though I would definitely read the second one. I didn't realize this was a series so now I want to find it. Overall pretty good defenitly a good read for middle grade! decent enough to read as a adult .

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review 2017-07-19 18:59

Restart

My Never Ending List

This was a fun read. Chase wakes up in a hospital not recalling anything: his parents, how he got in the hospital, nothing. He has been in a coma after falling off the roof which he got to from his bedroom window. Chase has been diagnosed with amnesia and the doctors are not sure he will ever recall his previous memories or not.

Chase basically has to start over, he doesn’t know anyone and so he is friendly with everyone he meets now. Friends and Chase’s peers cannot believe that this is Chase, as the Chase before the fall, was not like this at all! Chase used to be athletic and great at sports especially football but now he can’t play because of the accident. As Chase goes to school, he realizes that people are staying clear of him and others want him to take part in their bullying. What was the old Chase like that has people behaving the way they are? Chase likes the way his new life is turning out yet what would happen if some of his old memories start coming back, would old Chase return?

I think this would make an excellent read aloud as it brings up some excellent topics to talk about. I love the community service hours the boys do and the individuals that they meet. A great book to read.