3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A possible prelude to Potter, February 2, 2008
This review is from: The Criminal in the Caymans (Incredible Journey Books ) (Paperback)
The promotional literature sent out with review copies of this book says it is a `series for ages 7-9'. The associated website states `ages 7-10'. The Amazon product description currently advises `4-8'. The two heroes of the book are in second and third grade. Personally, I would recommend 7-11 as the target readership, possibly 6. Younger readers will need to be read to or with, rather than left to themselves.
This appears to be (although it tries hard not to look like) a one-person self-publishing venture. If I am right about that, it is an astonishingly professional job she has done. The books are in no way inferior to usual store-bought editions, the illustrations are excellent, and the website is very sophisticated. The author is not short on promotional skills, either.
So what of the stories themselves? This first one in the series has some good ingredients. It has a pinch of magic, which kids love. It has kids outsmarting adults, which is another sure-fire attraction. And it sets up mysteries that promise to be resolved in future entries in the series, which is a good way to keep the kids reading.
There are problems. The Fact Sheet at the front of the book lists facts about the Caymans, including `1.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.' and a further fact sheet at the end tells the reader, `There are no direct taxes so thousands of companies are registered here.' Hardly fun facts. Most 7-year-old eyes will glaze over at those points.
There are also two plot elements that I had problems with. The first was the discovery of a gold watch which is not heard of again. Prepare to have your youngster demanding to know `What happened to the watch?' before you turn the light out and expect them to go to sleep. Secondly, the story has the kids going into a stranger's room to take his wallet. Young readers are as likely to take away the lesson that such behavior is acceptable as they are that the Caymans are 1.5 times the size of Washington.
With any self-publishing venture (again, assuming I am correct in describing it as such) there are usually problems with proof-reading and editing. This book is actually very good in that respect. I only spotted a couple of errors (I'm making the further assumption here that I was not sent a pre-publication review copy, which I am pretty sure I wasn't): Page 38 has `...the bright light had woke up Sam,...' where `woken' was required, page 40 has `seagulls echoed above them' where an editor would have suggested `cries of seagulls...' and a couple more such slips, none of them horrendous. The book is well written, and exposes the reader (apart from that one `woke') to accurate, standard grammar and punctuation, which is what you want.
I would recommend trying this book on your kids, making sure you start with this particular one, as it sets the scene for the series, and if they want to go on to the next in the series, fine -- you've got them reading. Next stop, Harry Potter!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun and full of adventure. Awesome for learning!, April 21, 2008
This review is from: The Criminal in the Caymans (Incredible Journey Books ) (Paperback)
This new series is absolutely delightful. The stories are upbeat and interesting. My child really got hooked on the series when she read this first book. One big perk to this series is that it includes facts about geography and other hidden tidbits about this and that, so they learn while they read.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
SFC 4 star review, March 18, 2008
This review is from: The Criminal in the Caymans (Incredible Journey Books ) (Paperback)
This is the first children's book by Connie Lee Berry. At the beginning of the book, Berry shares with us how the Journey Book began. You'll also find a fact sheet about the Cayman Islands and a letter to the reader from the main characters, Max and Sam.
Max and Sam are brothers. They are only a year apart in age and are very close. On the way home from school, their mom announces she has a surprise waiting for them at home. Both boys can't wait to see what it is. Once they get the wrapping paper off, the boys are surprised to find a book about the Cayman Islands. Not sure why their mom gave them a book, they begin to ask questions and find out the family is going on a trip to the island. What the boys don't know is that is isn't going to be any regular family vacation.
This fun chapter book is a great read for reluctant readers. Packed full of mystery and action, even the most reluctant reader won't be able to put it down. You'll find a fact sheet with more interesting facts about the Cayman Islands and a science pick (a Science Experiment sent in from an Incredible Journey fan) from Max and Sam at the end.
I do have one word of caution. This chapter book is written with multiple points of view, which is something you don't normally see in a chapter book. But it's well done, and doesn't take away from the story or make it hard for children to read. If your child isn't use to multiple points of view, then you may want to read along with them.
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