Synopses & Reviews
For one charismatic kid, the dangerous world of the Forest of the Dead becomes the setting for the ultimate escape trick in this exciting debut novel.
Jack Carr has been shuttled from foster home to group home to foster home his entire life. The only constant has been his interest in magic, especially handcuff escapes like those mastered by his hero, Harry Houdini. When hes placed with the Professor, however, he feels like hes finally found a home—but his new guardian is hiding a dangerous secret.
Years ago the Professor bartered his soul to the undead magician Mussini, and when the payment is due, he sends Jack in his place. Jack must travel with Mussini to the Forest of the Dead, a place in between the real world and the afterlife, where hes forced to perform in Mussinis traveling magic show. If he stays in the Forest long enough, hell die himself. To find his way home, hell have the help of Mussinis other “minions”—kids stolen just like Jack—and his wits, nothing more. Can he follow the example of his hero, Houdini, and escape the inescapable?
Synopsis
More than anything, Maya wants to discover something incredible. Her parents are scientists: Her mother spends most of her time in tropical rainforests, uncovering ancient artifacts, and her dad is obsessed with digging up mammoths. When her father gets invited by an eccentric billionaire to lead a team investigating a mammoth’s remains in the Arctic, Maya begs to come along. Upon her arrival at the isolated camp, the mammoth is quickly revealed to be a fake, but there is something hidden in the ice—something unbelievable. Along with a team of international experts, each with his or her own agenda and theory about the mystery in the ice, Maya learns more about this discovery, which will change her life forever.
Laura Quimby expertly mixes adventure, science, and wonder into a page-turning story perfect for middle-grade explorers.
Praise for The Icarus Project
"Who wouldn’t want to find something earth-shatteringly unique while on an Arctic expedition?.. Quimby’s plot is exuberantly fast-paced and earnest."
—Kirkus Reviews
"Maya’s earnest first-person point of view and sense of fair play make her easy to root for, and the inclusion of a boy character as a foil to Maya, along with lively writing and plenty of action, will help this middle-grade novel pull in reluctant readers."
—Booklist
"Maya is an earnest and likable character and the plot is fast-paced enough to hold readers’ attention. Maya’s curiosity, bravery, and desire to do the right thing will resonate with many readers."
—School Library Journal
About the Author
Laura Quimby graduated with a degree in English literature from Towson State University, in Maryland, where she lives with her family. This is her first novel. When not writing, she likes to do yoga, travel, and hit the trail near her house. Laura also enjoys cooking, eating, and lounging about reading and watching movies and way too much television.