Hot Air (Graphic Trax) [Library Binding]

Masters (Author), Anthony (Author), Perkins (Illustrator), Mike (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2006 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Graphic Trax

A hot air balloon ride seems pretty exciting for Steve, until his uncle collapses and the balloon loses control and drifts toward the ocean. Written in graphic novel format.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–8—The first book is a high-action title with a simple plot. Steve's first hot-air balloon trip with his cousins turns into a dangerous outing. When the get kids into the basket, Uncle Harry has a heart attack and drops the mooring rope, the balloon gets free, and Steve must figure out what to do as the balloon goes out over the sea. The art is uninspiring, but easy to interpret and follow, so it serves the purpose. In the second book, Andy is plagued by nightmares of being attacked by ravens just before going to kayaking camp. When he arrives at Greystone Grange, he finds that it is near the ruins of an old mansion, with many ravens flying about. He makes a few friends, but finds an enemy in a trainee instructor who tells him menacing stories about the house and the birds. He begins to wonder if Jack is simply a sleepwalking bully, or if he is somehow supernaturally tied to the house and the birds. The content and creepiness are suitable for middle school readers, but the character development and plotting leave much to be desired. The artwork is course and dark, suiting the tone of the story, but not highly appealing. Both books have a few sentences of text. These titles will work as additional purchases for school libraries working with reluctant readers, but they're not for standard graphic-novel collections. Public libraries can pass on them.—Dawn Rutherford, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Anthony Masters wrote many novels, short stories, and nonfiction books for children and young adults. His most recent works included a children's version of Shakespeare's play Hamlet and a young adult series on World War II. Anthony Masters died in 2003.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Library Binding: 72 pages
• Publisher: Stone Arch Books; 1st Ed. (U.S.) edition (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598890867
• ISBN-13: 978-1598890860
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,461,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.