Customer Reviews

Flying Boats & Spies

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The reader sees this compelling adventure in Flying Boats & Spies through the eyes of sixteen-year-old Nick Grant during the prelude to World War II in the Pacific. Nick takes the reader through his journey aboard the S.S. North Haven to the Pacific Islands. He's caught up in a deadly game as Japanese spies try to thwart Pan Am's mission to establish bases on these islands for their flying boats. Annie Laura Smith, author of The Legacy of Bletchley Park, Will Paris Burn? and Saving da Vinci.

The action in FLYING BOATS & SPIES takes off before chapter one ends. An elite plane lands at a small airfield in California. Unbeknownst to Nick Grant, the occupants are none other than Charles and Anne Lindbergh. A secret request by Anne is asked of Nick. Nick is to deliver a map case to a Mr. Grooch aboard the North Haven. What starts out as a simple request turns into murder and spy intrigue.

Set in the early 1930s, before the war, Japan and America are spying on each other. Nick just happens to have landed in the middle of the intrigue. The depression is in full bloom and Nick's family is in danger of losing their home to foreclosure. His father has traveled to Oregon in search of work, leaving Nick, his sister, and mother alone in California. Nick is still in high school, but does all he can to help earn money. When he is asked to deliver the map case to the ship, he decides he will try to join on to earn money. Upon delivering the case, he lies about his age and his name, and they bring him aboard.

Before the ship sets sail, Nick imagines he sees someone in the shadows watching him. But he shakes the thought away, finding it too impossible to believe. Only after he reads the news when the ship docks in Hawaii does he realize that more may be at stake. His boss at the small California air strip has been murdered. He is sure it has to do with the Lindberghs' and the map case, but who will believe him?

As the story unfolds, the reader learns about the early days of air travel. Though a fiction novel, it paints an amazing portrait of the hard work that went into creating the ability to navigate around the world by air. Nick does backbreaking work on his adventure, all the while smack dab in the middle of the Japan versus America chess board of the early 1930s. The reader learns of the strategic importance of placing air strips on the remote islands of Wake and Midway.

For anyone that has an interest in early air flight, history, or spy novels, this story will not disappoint. The chapters are short, allowing younger readers an easy time to enjoy the story as well. The novel ends with the idea that there could be a sequel. If there is, I know I would definitely pick it up and travel with Nick on more adventures!

Reviewed by: Jaglvr

My 15 year old and 12 year old son loved it as did I (forty something Dad). Great book for family trip and excellent fast paced action throughout. Looking forward to the next Nick Grant adventure!

Please note that 9 of the 5 star reviews were posted within 3 days of one another! While I am an old Pan Am lover and appreciated the story line, the editing leaves a lot to be desired. The "spell checker" just doesn't comprehend little details like "ever vs. every and Chuck vs. chunk etc." There still no substitute for human editors profcient in the English language. I plan to read the sequel anyway, because I remain hooked on Pan Am.

Having lived through this era, I found it an excellent introduction to a period of history most young teens rarely learn about. The book should be an easy read for most teens and quickly captures the imagination of any who enjoy adventure based on fact and not fantasy. The author has researched his subject well and weaves real people and factual events into his story of a 17 year old boy caught up in intrique and romance preceeding the U.S. entry into World War II. The only fault I found with the book is careless editing, which can give young readers mistaken impressions of proper syntax. However, this book, and the other Nick Grant adventures, in particular "China Clipper," should be in every middle and high school library.

Just finshed reading Flying Boats & Spies... excellent stuff.

First thoughts... I particularly liked the fact that Duke was out surfing (having visited "Dukes" myself, and seen the pics on the wall). I've always enjoyed Oahu, and very nice to revisit the place with Nick.

Also, nice the way that Nick got to actually fly in the Clipper. That was a very natural progression.

I have always liked stories where, if someone chips in, works hard and does their best, the universe tends to take care of them. Sure, there might be trials and tribulations, but they are looked after. Ok, it doesn't always work quite like that in the real world, but then that's why we read books. Full marks for FB&S in this regard.

Also, the value of money is a useful lesson of the age that was handled nicely. Perhaps not something the Lindberghs might have had to think about much but certainly everyone else did. In one context the whole Clipper thing was a rich man's amusement, but it was nice that Jamie showed it was built on the sweat and blood of real, hard working people.

I thought it was quite interesting that the author brought in the Naval Intel bit at the end, with an overview of the geopolitical realities of the time. Nicely in context and added real value to the book in opening young eyes to the broader country-v-country issues that have shaped so much of our history.

Aside from all that, it is just good fun. Golden Age aviation (beautifully described, both the machines and the people), tropical islands, adventure, romance and intrigue. A great package. So, that is a resounding "well done" to Jamie Dodson from this illiterate colonial. I enjoyed it, and I know my kids will too. I am looking forward to discussing some of the questions it will raise when they read it.

I am also looking forward to the movie (particularly the explosions).

I loved this fast-paced tale! Flying Boats and Spies combines thrills, espionage, and coming of age against the backdrop of an era usually only remembered for the Great Depression. Remarkably detailed characters come to life from the page. Thanks for this great story!

Did you ever wish your child or grandchild had a flesh and blood teen role model whose actions and life taught self reliance, responsibility, citizenship and resourcefulness without having the powers to swing from building to building on a self generated web or some other super power? Did you somehow hope without hope that your charge might even learn about entrepreneurship, sacrifice and history that made America great while having a rollicking good time reading the adventures of a flesh and blood teen that they could identify with? Did you ever wish that you could give him or her that perfect read that might even pull your young adult away from the video game and the TV--if even for a little while? If so, then, look no further, and give him or her a copy of Jamie Dodson's Flying Boats & Spies that does all of this at the same time teaching them the pure joy of reading that should be the norm for all of today's youth.China Diaries: A novel

This book is an absolute must for young readers (and I loved it, too). It is filled with action-packed adventure in exotic locations, young romantic interest, and is set in a time when values were clear. The historical context is intriguing - who wouldn't love clipper ships, espionage, and the Hawaiian connection in the run-up to WWII? Dodson provides an authentic backdrop for learning about life, when one's courage and personal actions ultimately decided the course of this great country. Nick Grant is a great role-model for kids today.

"Flying Boats & Spies is well written and, packed with adventure. Jamie Dodson combined world history, skullduggery, and espionage seamlessly. The intended audience is young adult, but older readers may find the book hard to put down. The story has a thread of morality that weaves its way throughout the adventure with a subtle lesson for all. The reader yearns for the next Nick Grant adventure."

Rev. Evan G. Butterbrodt, Flying Boat Pilot--MS Flight Sim, retired pastor, author, and newspaper columnist.