Bartlett and the City of Flames [Hardcover]

Odo Hirsch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 4, 2003 | Age Level: 8 and up

The explorer Bartlett and his sidekicks, the young Gozo and Jacques le Grand emerge from the Margoulis Caverns only to be captured by guards from the City of the Sun. But when city's leader, the Pasha, lays eyes on Gozo, he is convinced that the young boy is actually his own son, who has been captured by the mysterious Underground people. In order to get Gozo back, Bartlett must get the Pasha's real son back from the underground City of Flames, where the "Ahsap" will only release him if Bartlett brings him his greatest desire, the sun. By using Ingenuity, Perseverance and Desperation, Bartlett and Jacques save the day once again.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-Well-paced action augmented by quirky characters and exotic settings make this sequel to Bartlett and the Ice Voyage (Bloomsbury, 2003) a fast, enjoyable read. At the onset of their second adventure, Bartlett, Jacques le Grand, and Gozo are captured by two guards from the City of the Sun. When they arrive at the palace, Gozo is mistaken for the Pasha's missing son, Darian, and is taken from his companions. In order to rescue their friend, Bartlett and Jacques must free the true Darian from his captors, the mysterious people from Underground, and return him to his family. But first they must find Underground-if it even exists. Subtle humor and clever obstacles promise to captivate young listeners and entice older readers. Hirsch's characters are simple, somewhat understated, and yet completely lovable. Bartlett's passion for challenge and adventure is contagious, and Jacques's quiet strength and intellect are endearing. Readers will feel compelled to figure out Bartlett's ingenious plans before they are revealed and then will delight in seeing them unfold. Whimsical black-and-white illustrations interspersed throughout the text enhance the lighthearted spirit of the story. A charming, satisfying adventure.
Jenna Gould, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL
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About the Author

Odo Hirsch grew up in Melbourne, Australia where he trained to be a doctor. He now lives in London where he spends his time writing children's books. He is the author of Bartlett and the Ice Voyage (a JLG selection), winner of the Blue Peter Award in the UK and Hazel Green.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 150 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books; F edition (November 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582348316
• ISBN-13: 978-1582348315
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #493,135 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful adventure!, December 8, 2003

By 

Education Oasis "Education Oasis" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bartlett and the City of Flames (Hardcover)

The intrepid Bartlett, explorer extraordinaire, is back---along with his sidekicks, Jacques le Grand and Gozo. In this adventure the three are captured and taken to the City of the Sun. When the city's "Pasha" mistakes Gozo for his long-lost son, Bartlett and Jacques must find the Pasha's real son, who has been kidnapped by a band of people from the "Underground."

Hidden beneath the sun-baked stonefields, the City of Flames -or Underground---as it is known to topsiders, is governed by the "Ahsap" and his band of quarreling counselors. Barlett soon finds the Pasha's son there. The Ahsap agrees to release the boy if, and only if, Barlett can give him his greatest desire: the sun.

How can one possibly bring the sun to the Underground? Certainly, this is an impossible task! Impossible, that is, for an ordinary person---and Barlett is no ordinary person. For like all truly first-rate explorers, he knows when to rely on those three great principles of: Inventiveness, Perseverance, and Desperation.

Witty, wonderful, and little wacky. Storytelling at its finest. Highly Recommended.

Reviewed by the staff at Education Oasis.

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as Bartlett and the Ice Voyage, January 10, 2009

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bartlett and the City of Flames (Hardcover)

This is a *really* good adventure story for kids -- I'd say 3rd grade and up for independent reading, but if you are reading aloud, then even kindergarteners will understand the plot.

Bartlett, Jacques le Grand, and Gozo come out of the caverns, where they have been exploring and mapping for months and months, up into the glaring light of a barren, stony land. Almost imediately they are "captured" by soldiers keeping watch and taken to the Pasha. Everyone reacts strangely to Gozo, but the Pasha and Pashanne are delighted to see him.

Despite protests that Gozo is not who they think he is, Gozo is swept away and ensconced in the palace. The Pasha agrees that they can have Gozo back if they will bring someone back who has "disappeared."

Bartlett and Jacques then set out to try to be recaptured and taken to another land, a land where people disappear and do not come back. This land is an underworld carved and chipped under the stony plains, lit by torches and always on the watch. It is called the City of Flames. Once admitted to this world, they are interviewed by the Ahsap, who declines to release the person they must have. The Ahsap says he will make a trade -- they must bring the sun to the City of Flames, and then they can go their way.

A very inventive solution presents itself, and there is a reunion and reconciliation between the Pasha and the Ahsap. As with all these Odo Hirsch books -- the points for your kids include Perseverance, Inventiveness, and Desperation. This book also adds trust -- as the two worlds come together for trade and understanding, and faithfulness -- the explorers keep their promises.

Excellent adventure story.