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348th out of 414 books
—
533 voters
The Flight of the Phoenix (Nathaniel Fludd Beastologist #1)
by
R.L. LaFevers (Goodreads Author),
Kelly Murphy (Goodreads Author)
Nathaniel Fludd’s life has taken a turn for the worst. With his parents lost at sea, he lands on the doorstep of a distant cousin—the world’s last remaining beastologist. Soon Nate is whisked off on his first expedition, to Arabia, where the world’s only phoenix prepares to lay its new egg. When disaster strikes, Nate quickly finds himself all alone.
Will he be able to see...more
Will he be able to see...more
Hardcover, 138 pages
Published
September 16th 2009
by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
(first published September 13th 2009)
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It was good.
It's about a boy named Nathaniel or Nate who's parents were lost at sea. His father's cousin Aunt Phil or Philomena adopted him. Apparently, Aunt Phil was a beastologist, and likewise Nate meets a gremlin and they became friends.
It's about a boy named Nathaniel or Nate who's parents were lost at sea. His father's cousin Aunt Phil or Philomena adopted him. Apparently, Aunt Phil was a beastologist, and likewise Nate meets a gremlin and they became friends.
Fludds have always been explorers and adventurers. Nate's parents have gone on an adventure, promising to send for him when he turns eight. But, they never do. And when their airship goes down and they are listed as "missing at sea", Nate must go and live with a relative he doesn't know. Nate is haunted by questions as to why they didn't send for him. Did they not think he could be of help? Nate goes to live with Aunt Phil who is a beastologist. “A beastologist is someone who studies beasts. Not...more
I got this book as an advanced reading copy through the Amazon Vine program. It is the first book in a series targeted at children. Previously I have read LaFevers Theodosia series and I enjoyed that series. This book is a short chapter book and was a very quick, fun read; as an adult it took me maybe 30 minutes to read.
Nathaniel never sees much of his parents; they are always off exploring and he's been left behind. Then a message comes that they have been "lost at sea". Suddenly Nathaniel's li...more
Nathaniel never sees much of his parents; they are always off exploring and he's been left behind. Then a message comes that they have been "lost at sea". Suddenly Nathaniel's li...more
Nathaniel Fludd Beastologist: Flight of the Phoenix is a delightful little story about young Nathaniel, age 10. His parents are mostly absent while they are on great adventures all over the world. He is cared for by Miss Lumpton who is marginally competent. When his parents are declared lost-at-sea while on the airship Italia which crashed near the North Pole, Nathaniel is bewildered by the after-effects. Nathaniel is devastated, of course,after all he lost his parents who he hadn't seen in over...more
Nathaniel's parents have been lost at sea and now he's being sent to live with his only known living relative: cousin Phil A. Fludd. To his consternation, this cousin turns out to be a woman, a beastologist and ready to take off on an adventure the very next morning, and Nathaniel is expected to go with her! Phil explains the Fludd history as they fly to Arabia, telling Nathaniel that all Fludds are explorers, with one of their missions being to record strange and exotic beasts. This particular...more
Let's see...young boy finds out at the beginning of the story that his parents are missing and presumed dead. So he is put on a train to go live with his nearest relative. He is picked up at the station by a horse and pony and, oh dear, discovers that his relative is an eccentric aunt.
I started worrying that this would just be a rehash of so many overdone children's fantasy book themes but once Nathaniel gets to his aunt's house, things get interesting and original. Turns out Nate is one of a l...more
I started worrying that this would just be a rehash of so many overdone children's fantasy book themes but once Nathaniel gets to his aunt's house, things get interesting and original. Turns out Nate is one of a l...more
Jun 22, 2009
Ariel
added it
I love Kelly Murphy's illustrations! I was so excited to see her work again after admiring it in Masterpiece.
I think the cover, the illustrations, and the concept of this book are fabulous. Nathaniel Fludd feels like Harry Potter meets Young Indiana Jones for early readers.
I felt a little strange about the portrayal of the Middle East in the book. It is set after World War II sometime, and the portrayal of the Middle East feels like it reflects that time period. It is all camels, sand, and dis...more
I think the cover, the illustrations, and the concept of this book are fabulous. Nathaniel Fludd feels like Harry Potter meets Young Indiana Jones for early readers.
I felt a little strange about the portrayal of the Middle East in the book. It is set after World War II sometime, and the portrayal of the Middle East feels like it reflects that time period. It is all camels, sand, and dis...more
Nathanial Fludd comes from a very long line of adventurers, dating all the way back to the 1400s. But, when his parents don't return for him after one of their adventures, Nathanial begins to wonder if maybe the adventure spirit somehow skipped him.
But, such questions are put to the test when his parents are declared "lost as sea" and he's sent to live with his relative - not only an adventurer, but a beastologist as well.
What follows is a story of acceptance, finding out what you're good at, an...more
But, such questions are put to the test when his parents are declared "lost as sea" and he's sent to live with his relative - not only an adventurer, but a beastologist as well.
What follows is a story of acceptance, finding out what you're good at, an...more
5 likes · like · see review
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A slough of fantastic series are coming out for children. LaFever's Nathaniel Fludd series stands out in its balance between reality and fantasy, which will make this story appeal to children who enjoy historical fiction as well as fantasy without alienating either. A small cast of characters is introduced in book 1: a questionable nanny, timid Nathaniel, Cornelius the intelligent dodo (of course), Aunt Phil, and the mischievous Greasle the Gremlin.
The linear adventure is easy to follow, includi...more
The linear adventure is easy to follow, includi...more
In this series, Nate Fludd is the child of famous explorers who unexpectedly go missing during one of their adventures. As a result, he is sent to live with his distant cousin, the world’s last beastologist. Nate decides to take up the Fludd beastologist mantle and begins his training. Each of the books is one of his adventures along with tantalizing clues about the fate of his parents.
I adore this series. The adventures are fun and exciting, the beasts are weird but true to mythology, and Nate...more
I adore this series. The adventures are fun and exciting, the beasts are weird but true to mythology, and Nate...more
Nathaniel Fludd's parents have disappeared. Presumed dead, his parents' lawyer summons him and Miss Lumpton to his office. A tidy sum makes Miss Lumpton disappear as well. Nathaniel is then shuffled off to a relative, a Phil A. Fludd, he's never heard of in Batting-At-The-Flies. The precocious youngster with a penchant for drawing and a feeling of being unwanted and left behind arrives at his destination with a heart full of trepidation. What he finds is beyond his wildest dreams...Phil is actua...more
I fell in love with R.L. LaFever's Theodosia books, and was excited to hear that she was coming out with another series featuring mythological creatures!
While Nathaniel Fludd wasn't as long as the Theodosia books *sad face* I definitely apprecited the care she puts into crafting her characters so that each one will have one defining feature that you will remember about them, even if it's just that they resemble a walrus *smirk*.
I enjoyed that LaFevers resurrected the history of the gremlins, wh...more
While Nathaniel Fludd wasn't as long as the Theodosia books *sad face* I definitely apprecited the care she puts into crafting her characters so that each one will have one defining feature that you will remember about them, even if it's just that they resemble a walrus *smirk*.
I enjoyed that LaFevers resurrected the history of the gremlins, wh...more
Apr 18, 2011
Clare Cannon
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
6-9 years (boys)
Shelves:
04-8yrs
A gentle adventure story about young Nathaniel Fludd who, after both his parents are lost at sea, goes to stay with an aunt who takes him on journeys to help mythological creatures in danger of extinction. A simple but original story suited to young readers who are willing to extend themselves beyond popular titles. To be honest, gentle could also mean slightly boring for advanced readers.
Talk about feeling like you have been dumped? That is how I think Nate feels in this book, that is how I would feel. Nate was young when his parents left to work, he was told that he could come along with them once he was old enough and could handle everything.
How was Nate supposed to know if he could handle what he would see his dad said he would find out one day. He is staying with a woman who he thinks cares about him and once they were told that his parents were killed, she pretends to be sa...more
How was Nate supposed to know if he could handle what he would see his dad said he would find out one day. He is staying with a woman who he thinks cares about him and once they were told that his parents were killed, she pretends to be sa...more
This is the first book of the series of Nathaniel Fludd Beastologist. It's a very easy book to read for young teenagers, but a very good book. If you like things about mythical creatures and animals, this would be the book you might try reading. I really enjoyed this first book of the series. It might seem boring at first, but once you start to read more and more, and story gets more interesting. It's a short little book, so it's going to fit for people who don't like reading thick, fat books li...more
This book will make an excellent read for kids ready to move on from Magic Tree House books - this first book in what will opbviously be a series stars Nate Fludd, the son of explorers who mysteriously disappeared. The year is 1928, and 10 year old Nate finds himself an orphan sent to live with his father's strange cousin - "Aunt Phil" Fludd - and before you know it, Nate is off on an adventure to help his "Aunt Phil" help at the birth of a Phoenix, but only after meeting a dismissive talking Do...more
Nathaniel is a recently orphaned boy. His parents left him when he was very young and never came back. They promised to sent after him when he was eight, but until he was 10 years old letters from his parents never came until they pronounce lost at sea.
And now, Nathaniel has to live with an aunt he doesn't know. What he also doesn't know is that all Fludds family are beastologist - they study beasts, mostly myths. Before he know it his aunt whisked him away to Arabia to witness the birth of Phe...more
And now, Nathaniel has to live with an aunt he doesn't know. What he also doesn't know is that all Fludds family are beastologist - they study beasts, mostly myths. Before he know it his aunt whisked him away to Arabia to witness the birth of Phe...more
Good start to what I am hoping to be a great series. Nathaniel Fludd is a possibly orphaned child, (this I have my doubts, but we shall see what is to be revealed in later books), who is moving in with his eccentric Aunt Phil. She is determined to get him started into the family business of scientific expeditions in the field of rare or mythological creatures. Nate does not have the adventurous spirit , or so he thinks, to do what is required to be a Beastologist. Will he find the courage to kee...more
A good, quick read for kids who want a fun adventure story that's not too scary. This first volume left several plot hooks for later books, but was a self-contained story.
At the start of the story, young Nathaniel has spent three years being raised by a governess, after the mysterious disappearance of his parents. Much to his surprise, he finds that not only does he have a living aunt, but that his family has spent centuries exploring and documenting the natural world, and much that the rest of...more
At the start of the story, young Nathaniel has spent three years being raised by a governess, after the mysterious disappearance of his parents. Much to his surprise, he finds that not only does he have a living aunt, but that his family has spent centuries exploring and documenting the natural world, and much that the rest of...more
For a book with such an exciting premise and various plot developments, it was a pretty boring read. It brings up enough questions to kind of compel you to read further in the series, but the writing style really slows it down. There is one part where Nathaniel is walking along the wing of a flying plane, and as I read it I couldn't stop thinking, "Why isn't this more exciting?" I felt no thrills, no tension, no worries. I just didn't care, even when I wanted to.
Read my full review at http://res...more
Read my full review at http://res...more
Nate Fludd has just learned that his parents have been lost at sea, and he is now going to live with a distant cousin he's never met. From this cousin he learns that his family has a long history as explorers and Beastologists. His first assignment is to help hatch a phoenix.
The story progresses pretty quickly, and we get to see Nate become more adventurous as the story goes on. Nate successfully hatches the phoenix, and he shows a lot of courage when he tries to save his new guardian, but she's...more
The story progresses pretty quickly, and we get to see Nate become more adventurous as the story goes on. Nate successfully hatches the phoenix, and he shows a lot of courage when he tries to save his new guardian, but she's...more
ATOS Book Level: 4.2
Interest Level: Middle Grades (MG 4-8)
AR Points: 3.0
Lexile: 640
Word Count: 18036
A Beastologist is someone who is dedicated to the study of only the most rare and exotic beasts. The Fludd family are Beastologist in this story we meet 10 year old Nate who's parents left on an exposition three years earlier, never to return. Nate is sent to live with his Aunt who introduces him to the family heritage and takes him on a trip to watch over the birth of a new phoenix.
I think many m...more
Interest Level: Middle Grades (MG 4-8)
AR Points: 3.0
Lexile: 640
Word Count: 18036
A Beastologist is someone who is dedicated to the study of only the most rare and exotic beasts. The Fludd family are Beastologist in this story we meet 10 year old Nate who's parents left on an exposition three years earlier, never to return. Nate is sent to live with his Aunt who introduces him to the family heritage and takes him on a trip to watch over the birth of a new phoenix.
I think many m...more
Nathaniel Fludd feels like a dud. His parents have been missing for 3 years and just as soon as his governess gets word that they are presumed dead after a plane crash at the North Pole she puts him on a train to his nearest relative. Nathaniel meets his Aunt Phil and learns about his family's notable history as Beastologists and mapmakers. Beastology is the study and care of rare and mythic creatures. In this book, the first of the series, Nate meets a talking dodo, a gremlin and a phoenix! If...more
First of a series. I find LaFevers irresistable, and here she writes for the 2nd/3rd/4th grade set with a not-too-intrepid orphan hero sent to live with a Beastologist aunt. Shades of Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians but definitely more realistic, as realistic as a book with a phoenix can be. Illustrations (by Kelly Murphy) & confabulations (a Sopwith Platypus! oil-eating Gremlins!) are wonderful. Read this one aloud to your longing-to-be-brave small friends.
Nate eagerly awaited to be old enough to join his parents on their adventures. However, after 3 years of not hearing from them, they were declared "lost at sea." Nate is whisked away to live with his dad's long lost cousin who is known as a beastologist that studies rare and mythological creatures. One of the creatures Nate is taken to study is the phoenix. Along the journey, Nate begins to wonder if he really wants to live a life of adventure after all!
Nate may not be sure about adventure, but...more
Nate may not be sure about adventure, but...more
Nathaniel doesn't know what to expect when he is sent to live his distant relative. He never expected that she would be a beastologist and he would be traveling the world with her, trying to help creatures he thought were only real in books. In the first novel of this series, Nathaniel begins his adventure which hopefully will not end for many, many more books.
This book is a great new chapter book for readers that are looking for an exciting adventure. Any fledgling fantasy readers will enjoy....more
This book is a great new chapter book for readers that are looking for an exciting adventure. Any fledgling fantasy readers will enjoy....more
I just finished reading The Flight of the Phoenix by R.L. LaFevers. It is about a boy whose parents die. He goes to live wiht a relative but the day he gets there they have to leave for Egypt. When they are in Egypt, his guardian is taken away by Egyptian people for trespassing. So, he and his little friend, called a gremlin, have to complete the mission on their own. The book is full of magic and beasts.
I loved the book but I did not like how R.L. LaFevers introduced the characters. It just fe...more
I loved the book but I did not like how R.L. LaFevers introduced the characters. It just fe...more
Aug 18, 2012
Elevetha Houre
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Pretty much anyone
Recommended to Elevetha by:
Miss Clark
Ten year old Nathanial Fludd comes under the legal guardianship of his Aunt Phil(omena) when his parents are thought to be dead. His Aunt, as were all the Fludds, is a beastologist, someone who tracks down, studies, and takes care of thought to be extinct and\or mythical creatures. His training begins on his first mission in Arabia on a search for the elusive Phoenix reborn from its ashes every 500 years. Cute and fun to read, this short enjoyable offering by R L LaFevers is a lovely read for ch...more
Nathaniel doesn't know what to expect when he is sent to live his distant relative. He never expected that she would be a beastologist and he would be traveling the world with her, trying to help creatures he thought were only real in books. In the first novel of this series, Nathaniel begins his adventure which hopefully will not end for many, many more books.
This book is great new chapter book readers that are looking for an exciting adventure. Any fledgling fantasy readers will enjoy. Recomm...more
This book is great new chapter book readers that are looking for an exciting adventure. Any fledgling fantasy readers will enjoy. Recomm...more
Aug 29, 2011
Kathryn
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Kathryn by:
Ann
Shelves:
children-s-novels,
fantasy-sci-fi
3.5 STARS This book has so many things going for it. I loved the opening chapters; I really got a sense of our young hero Nathaniel and his trials and tribulations as he learned that his parents' airship went down and that his governess really cared nothing for him all these years and only wanted the "Tidy Sum" she was given from the lawyers and promptly shipped him off to stay with some relation named Phil Fludd. Poor kid! Worst of all, his parents never even sent for him to join them on their...more
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R.L. LaFevers (Robin Lorraine when she’s in really big trouble) grew up surrounded by shelves of old dusty books and a passel of brothers. She has also spent a large portion of her life being told she was making up things that weren’t there, which only proves she was destined to write fiction. She is the author of over fourteen books for young readers, including THEODOSIA AND THE SERPENTS OF CHAOS...more
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