Synopses & Reviews
A stunning middle-grade debut--full of heart, humor, and nonstop action
It's tough to be thirteen, especially when somebody's trying to kill you.
Not that Egg's life was ever easy, growing up on sweaty, pirate-infested Deadweather Island with no company except an incompetent tutor and a pair of unusually violent siblings who hate his guts.
But when Egg's father hustles their family off on a mysterious errand to fabulously wealthy Sunrise Island, then disappears with the siblings in a freak accident, Egg finds himself a long-term guest at the mansion of the glamorous Pembroke family and their beautiful, sharp-tongued daughter Millicent. Finally, life seems perfect.
Until someone tries to throw him off a cliff.
Suddenly, Egg's running for his life in a bewildering world of cutthroat pirates, villainous businessmen, and strange Native legends. The only people who can help him sort out the mystery of why he's been marked for death are Millicent and a one-handed, possibly deranged cabin boy.
Come along for the ride. You'll be glad you did.
Review
“This is a rip-roaring debut… I highly recommend you grab a copy… The best way I can describe it is Lemony Snicket meets
Pirates of the Caribbean, with a sprinkling of
Tom Sawyer for good measure.”—
RICK RIORDAN,
New York Times bestselling author of the Percy Jackson series.
From BCCB, Starred Review:
". . . a high-seas adventure in the grandest tradition, featuring epic maritime battles, elusive hidden treasures, tender romance, and of course, pirates—lots and lots of pirates. The fast-paced swashbuckling will surely satisfy fans of adventure, but it's really Egg's narration that makes this pirate story rise above its counterparts. Wittily observant and self-deprecating, Egg relays the series of absurd events that precede his escape from Deadweather with a fair amount of humor, while his decision to avenge the deaths of his family—despite their mistreatment of him—lends the tale a certain nobility."
From THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: “What a wonderful hybrid plot: islands, buried treasure, a lad avenging violence against his family, sea voyages, tourist cruises, real pirates, fake pirates for the tourist trade, and leftover pirates, too maimed for sea work. . . . Egg's flat, fatalistic, practical and hilarious narrative tone keeps this wild profusion of plot elements (and island hopping) in balance in this, Book 1, of "The Chronicles of Egg," making a reader look forward to more.” From KIRKUS REVIEWS: “Self-deprecating and funny, Egg’s first-person account is compelling, and the dialogue and vivid setting, as well as the full cast of quirky characters, make it easy to get lost in this adventure.” From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “In this rousing debut novel . . . Egg’s struggle to stay alive takes him from one death-defying scenario to the next with breakneck speed … the overall effect is more comedic than terrifying, as Rodkey combines humor and adventure.” From BOOKLIST: “[O]ur hero’s first-person sassiness, smarts, and romantic frustration . . . are absolutely entertaining. Along with some good and gory descriptions (after all, pirates really aren’t that nice), this introduction to the Chronicles of Egg series is pure fun.”
Review
“In this rip-roaring debut . . . Lemony Snicket meets Pirates of the Caribbean, with a sprinkling of
Tom Sawyer for good measure.” —Rick Riordan, bestselling author of the Percy Jackson series
“The fast-paced swashbuckling will surely satisfy fans of adventure, but it’s really Egg’s narration that makes this pirate story rise above its counterparts . . . Colorful dialogue (including plenty of piratespeak) and a fully realized setting that will have readers wiping the sea spray from their brows round out this delightful nautical yarn.” —BCCB, starred review
“Full of action. . . a great read.”—Time for Kids
“[A] swashbuckling story.” —School Library Journal
“…Rodkey combines humor and adventure in a story full of cruise ships, wild pigs, treasure maps, and constant peril.” —Publishers Weekly
“This introduction to the Chronicles of Egg series is pure fun.” —Booklist
“This promising new series starts out strong with a story filled to brim with pirates, treasure, intrigue and swashbuckling suspense . . . Egg’s first-person account is compelling, and the dialogue and vivid setting, as well as the full cast of quirky characters, make it easy to get lost in this adventure.” —Kirkus Reviews
Review
"[A] rip-roaring adventure."
—Kirkus
"Hand this fun adventure series to future fans of Clive Cussler."
—Booklist
"A rollicking story that works as a stand alone and is a great choice for reluctant readers, especially those looking for books with male protagonists."
—School Library Journal
Review
"An enjoyable escapade, delivered with wit, wisdom and just a bit of history thrown in for good measure."
—Kirkus Reviews
"Nonstop action . . . This is a fine choice to add to a 'Guys Read' list."
—VOYA, 4Q 3P J S
"A thrilling adventure."
—The UK Guardian
"Irresistibly funny and action-packed, this well-paced, smartly-written crime caper is just the thing for bored boys. Uncle Harvey is a wonderful comic creation; more, please!"
—The London Times
Synopsis
Sequel to Island of Thieves, this action-packed middle grade adventure novel set in India is the perfect trip for reluctant readers.
Synopsis
As in the middle grade series debut Island of Thieves, scrappy twelve-year-old Tom Trelawney and his swashbuckling Uncle Harvey are a dynamite combination—in the dangerous, explosive sort of way. This time around, they impulsively fly from Ireland to India in hot pursuit of a small bejeweled tiger that yet another Trelawney, a British soldier, allegedly plundered in 1799. Theyre pretty sure they can get a couple million dollars for it too, if they can make it past a gun-happy Aussie and a pit of man-eating tigers.
Synopsis
Buried treasure, villains, cars, and conflict—this humorous, fast-paced, action-packed novel is a page-turner. Perfect for the reluctant-to-read middle-grade boy!
Synopsis
"Only boring people get bored…Interesting people can always find something to be interested in." Thats what Tom Trelawneys father says, anyway. Tom shouldnt have been interested in playing with matches but he was...bored. Now the shed is in ashes and strange Uncle Harvey is the only one willing to have him stay while his parents vacation
Tom soon discovers Harvey is going to South America on a treasure hunt and though nephews arent invited, he manages to tag along. Before its over hell drive a car, fire a gun and run for his life. Tom realizes that life may be about following the rules, but survival may be about breaking them.
About the Author
Geoff Rodkey grew up in Freeport, Illinois, a place with no ugly fruit plantations, volcanoes, or gainfully employed pirates, although someone did briefly want to kill him when he was a teenager. He currently lives with his family on an island just off the coast of North America. He has not been to sea since an ill-fated kite fishing expedition in the Florida Keys encountered such choppy waters that his nine-year-old son threw up on his four-year-old son's head while the author was preoccupied with trying to help his seven-year-old son barf over the gunwale. This is his first book.