What else can you say about this rip-roaring adventure except that it is a whale of a tale? Hallelujah (Lu) Wonder, a feisty girl who lives in Tolerone, Kansas inherits the hidden treasures of her scientist father. With her friend, the slave boy Eustace, and his ever present dog, Fob, she defies the wicked Captain Greeney and heads to Antarctica with one of the most wondrous and dangerous treasures. Whales, sharks, ships, storms, and strange new people all play roles in Lu's challenges.
A story about longing for a home that cannot be (back in New Bedford, Massachusetts), a parent she cannot have (the dead father she adored), and trying to fit in and cope with changing times (a bossy older sister and a mother who has seemingly withdrawn from life; abolitionists and lynchings), this story touches on survival, friendship, and other huge themes for such a small girl. That Lu wins us over and takes us on her own quest is a huge testament to the powerful storytelling abilities of Nicole Helget. This one will be great as an audiobook on a long car trip or just as a read-a-loud for a class of smart youngsters.
No comments:
Post a Comment