Northrop, Michael. Polaris.

Northrop, Michael. Polaris.  Scholastic  2017  278 p.  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-545-29716-5  elem/ms  Science Fiction  VG-BN

Adventure, science fiction. It is some time in the 1830's, and a group of young cabin attendants and deck hands find themselves alone on a large sailing vessel in the middle of a storm, just outside the mouth of the Amazon River after the adult crew has mutinied and deserted the ship. Meanwhile, something very scary and mysterious is lurking beneath the ocean's surface, and the kids must figure out what it is and save themselves from it. In a series of nail-biting episodes, they figure out what they must overcome in order to survive. In the meantime, they must learn to work together as a team even though they started out with feelings of jealousy and rivalry toward one another. A good adventure story combined with historical elements as well as science fiction. The action is non-stop and will keep those pages turning.

Summary: This edge-of-your-seat maritime adventure story combines science fiction, historical themes, and horror to keep the pages turning for upper-elementary and middle-school readers who like nonstop action.

Sailing-Fiction, Adventure-Fiction                                   --Carol Kennedy

Plunked

Northrop, Michael       Plunked     

 Scholastic/Grolier/Childrens Press/Watts 2012 246p    16.99 978-0-545-29714-1       ms            Realistic fiction, Conflict  

Jack has lived and breathed baseball since he was a young child.  His father and he share an enthusiasm for collecting baseball cards.  Even Jack’s mother shares the family’s passion for baseball.  Jack’s baseball skills are good enough to land him a permanent Little League starter position in left field with a team in contention for a title. There is plenty of play action with the personality quirks of the team members and coaches deftly intertwined in the sports action.  Practice drills, competition for starting positions, favoritism toward a coach’s son and past friendships and rivalries are all present.  When Jack is plunked in the head by a wicked, out of control, inside fastball pitch, his world turns upside down.  Although he is physically okay, Jack now has an aversion, even fear, when up at the plate and when he is fielding a ball hit to him in left field.  The lies he tells to his parents, coaches and teammates to avoid talking about his fears make him feel even worse.  The resolution is believable and may even help readers who face a sudden drop-off in sporting ability or know of someone going through a slump.  Northrop has written a high-quality sports story that deals with a topic not often covered in upper elementary and middle-school fiction. The graphics of pin stripes and "diamond" shapes used at the start of each chapter extend the sports motif.     This is a good one for grades 5-10.

VG-BN       Lois McNicol(3)   Baseball, Sports, Anxiety