Synopses & Reviews
Ten-year-old Nathaniel Fludd is the reluctant hero of
Flight of the Phoenix (2009), the madcap debut of the American author R. L. LaFeversand#8217;s Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist series and a Junior Library Guild selection. The year is 1928, the setting England, and Nateand#8217;s wayward parents have just been reported lost at sea. Nate is sent that very day to his Aunt Philand#8217;s house in Batting-at-the-Flies, but not for long . . . The morning after he arrives at the renowned beastologistand#8217;s doorstep, she whisks him away to the Arabian desert to witness a phoenix lay an egg! Kelly Murphyand#8217;s cartoonish black-and-white pen-and-ink illustrations add charm and humor to an already delightful adventure sure to please fans of mythology, maps, camels, and gremlins. Includes a glossary of terms from and#8220;cartographerand#8221; to and#8220;Tidy Sum.and#8221; Donand#8217;t miss the next books in the Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist series:
The Basiliskand#8217;s Lair (Book 2),
The Wyvernsand#8217; Treasure (Book 3), and
The Unicornand#8217;s Tale (Book 4)!
Review
". . . this American author has crafted an exciting tale. Straightforward sentences, chronological narrative, short chapters and Murphyand#8217;s plentiful black-and-white illustrations make this appropriate for middle-grade readers looking for a series to grow with."--Kirkus Reviews and#160; "LaFevers (the Theodosia books) gets the Nathanial Fludd, Beastologist series off to a sprightly start with this wry story introducing a 10-year-old orphaned when his parents' airship crashes in the North Pole in 1928 . . . this quick-paced adventure . . . should entice kids to return for Nate's next escapade."--Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
Nathaniel Fludds life has taken a turn for the worst. With his parents lost at sea, he lands on the doorstep of a distant cousinthe worlds last remaining beastologist. Soon Nate is whisked off on his first expedition, to Arabia, where the worlds only phoenix prepares to lay its new egg. When disaster strikes, Nate quickly finds himself all alone.
Will he be able to see the phoenix safely hatched, keep his accidental pet gremlin out of trouble, and rescue his guardian from the Bedouin? If he fails, nothing will stand between the worlds mythical creatures and extinction.
Too bad Nates not the sort of boy who enjoys adventure . . .yet.
Synopsis
With his parents lost at sea, Nathaniel Fludd lands on the doorstep of a distant cousin--the world's last remaining beastologist. Soon Nate is whisked off on his first expedition, in this first in a new illustrated chapter book series filled with mysterious beasts, magic, and far-flung exploration. Illustrations.
About the Author
Born and raised among the sprawling cornfields of rural Pennsylvania, Kelly Murphy now writes from her child-sized apartment in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Her articles have appeared in Brokelyn, Brooklyn Based, Chic Today, NCTEs The Council Chronicle, and various other publications. Kelly graduated from Penn State with a degree in English and currently works in publishing.