The Marino Mission: One Girl, One Mission, One Thousand Words; 1,000 Need-to-Know *SAT Vocabulary Words [Paperback]

Karen B. Chapman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764578316 | ISBN-13: 978-0764578311 | Publication Date: January 13, 2005 | Edition: 1

One unforgettable story. One thousand unforgettable SAT vocabulary words.

Alexa McCurry leads an ordinary teenager's life in upstate New York—until she embarks on a summer adventure in Central America. While working at a potentially boring internship in a marine DNA lab, she befriends a local boy, José, and a remarkable dolphin, Pecas. Together, Alexa and José uncover an ominous secret: Pecas' missing baby may be a captive at a marine biology facility. In a riveting tale of intrigue, Alexa and José work to unravel the mystery—and lead the reader on a vocabulary-expanding adventure.

The Marino Mission is a fun and painless way to master 1,000 tough SAT vocabulary words. Why spend all day looking at lists of words and definitions when you can read a gripping page-turner that incorporates SAT vocabulary words right into the text? Even better, words are defined at the bottom of each page so you don't have to flip to the back of the book to find definitions. Plus, self-tests at the end of the novel help you retain what you learn and prepare for test day. Once you open up The Marino Mission, you'll hardly know you're studying at all!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up -Alexa is not happy about having to go to Central America for the summer with her marine biologist mother, who will be working there. The teen meets a local boy and makes friends with the lab's dolphin. When the animal's baby is taken by members of a rival lab, the teens set out to find out why and what they plan to do with it. The author incorporates 1000 SAT vocabulary words into the novel. Each one is footnoted at the bottom of the page with its definition. This is a great idea. Not only can students read a fast-paced and fun story, but they can also learn potentially unfamiliar words without a great deal of effort. The writing and character development are actually good and the DNA-lab setting is believable, as is the story line. The Marino Mission may not be a literary standout, but as a study tool it is unbeatable.-Marianne Fitzgerald, Severna Park High School, MD
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Review

"The Marino Mission...a better read than prior attempts at this concept, which tried too hard to cram in large words." (Miami Herald, February 26, 2005)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 326 pages
• Publisher: Wiley Publishing; 1 edition (January 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764578316
• ISBN-13: 978-0764578311
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,611 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #62 in Books > Education & Reference > Education > College Guides
  • #85 in Books > Education & Reference > Education > Test Guides - College & University > SAT & PSAT

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended SAT preparation, June 25, 2005

By 

Don R. Williams - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Marino Mission: One Girl, One Mission, One Thousand Words; 1,000 Need-to-Know *SAT Vocabulary Words (Paperback)

We purchased this book on the strong recommendation of a relative, and can likewise recommend it to others, without a bone of contention...

I skim-read the story, and while the artifice used to introduce the vocabulary is a bit much for an adult, it should work well for the target audience. As the heroine is, well, - a heroine, the book might initially appeal more to young women, rather than to boys. But, any young person would probably enjoy the plot and the storyline once immersed in the book. At the risk of dating myself, I'd equate the book to Nancy Drew meets Tom Swift, updated for the 21st century... All in all, an effective and elegant solution for providing young people with a rich vocabulary while preparing them for one of the most significant examinations they must undertake.

Significantly, one-third of the book is devoted to exercises which reinforce the meaning and proper use of the myriad words introduced in the story. As repetition is the root of understanding, students would be wise to make use of this added bonus. Teachers and educators should likewise give this book strong consideration for inclusion in their curriculum and SAT-prep courses.

With the advent of a re-tooled SAT containing a much-dreaded essay component, Ms. Chapman should put her considerable creativity to work on a new book which addresses this coming challenge. I have no doubt that any such attempt would be as engaging and successful as "The Marino Mission."

...On a personal note, at last I can use the word "perspicacity" correctly...

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Succeeds relatively well..., May 12, 2005

By 

Robert P. Beveridge "xterminal" (Lakewood, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Marino Mission: One Girl, One Mission, One Thousand Words; 1,000 Need-to-Know *SAT Vocabulary Words (Paperback)

Karen B. Chapman, The Marino Mission (Wiley, 2005)

An excellent idea for a book-- write a short novel aimed at teens that contains one thousand SAT vocabulary words. Pick a subject that will probably resound with the teen population and run with it. Granted, your language is going to be a bit highbrow, but that's the whole purpose of the thing, right?

Chapman comes pretty close to getting it right. The target audience will not be the wiser when she stumbles a bit trying to fit one of the words in (using "prototype," for example, to describe the last instance of something, rather than the first, or an early, instance), and the plot gets a bit clunky at times. Still, for what it is, the books succeeds pretty well. Also comes with a good number of vocabulary exercises and the like for students to get the new words they're exposed to here cemented in their heads. ***

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My sister gave me this, May 30, 2005

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Teen Reader (Greenwich CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Marino Mission: One Girl, One Mission, One Thousand Words; 1,000 Need-to-Know *SAT Vocabulary Words (Paperback)

This book is very, very good. My sister is totally into poetry and I'm not but she read this book the Marino Mission, and totally dug it, and Im never reading her stuff, but this was great! A teen romance, but with better writing than what's normal, and definitely NOT BORING. Although it's about a very cute guy hooking up with the heroine in the book. it's really a quite good because its got great adventure and a * thrilling * story. I'm in 9th grade but my sister is in 11th and gets "A"s where I do not, but I learned so much from this book, many new words, because of the notes at the bottom. But mainly I loved the story, I Loved it!