Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

Airborn

Author:  Kenneth Oppel

Publisher:  EOS          Year:  2004

ISBN:  0-06-053180-0

Genre: Fiction/ Science Fiction

This book is for Ages: 12 uu

Awards:  Canadian Library Association Honour;  Snow Willow Award/Nominee;  Michael Printz Award/Honor Book;  Governor General's Literary Award;  Rocky Mountain Book Award;  BCCB Blue Ribbon Book;  SLJ Best Book;  Stellar Award/Nominees;  Red Maple Award/Nominee;  ALA Best Book for Young Adults;  Red Cedar Book Award/Nominee;  ALA Notable/Best Books;  YALSA Top Ten; Canadian Content-Canadian Content

AR Points:      15.0

Subjects/Themes: Adventure-Travel; Pirates; Traveling in Space; Friends;

Plot Summary: Matt Cruse is in the crow’s nest when he spots a failing hot air balloon floating towards his airship.  Despite all attempts the pilot of the balloon does not respond.  Matt makes a daring rescue swinging like a trapeze artist high in the atmosphere to save the pilot and keep the balloon from crashing into his airship.  The pilot asks Matt if he saw the beautiful creatures, but there was nothing in the air with them, or was there something strange and deadly flying above.

Review:   I really hesitated reading this book.  I did not want to like it.  But it was good.  It reminded me of the adventure books and movies like Indiana Jones, Night at the Museum, Stardust, and the Mummy.  Scientific, strange, wild and enjoyable - Airborn will take you to another world.  

If you like this book you may also like: Leviathan by Scott Westerfield.