Bookanista Review: THE MAPMAKER AND THE GHOST
Full disclosure: I picked up this ARC from the author as we are Class of 2k12 sibs, Sarvenaz Tash.
Here is the official blurb from the publisher:
THE MAPMAKER AND THE GHOST
Goldenrod Moram loves nothing better than a good quest. Intrepid, curious, and full of a well-honed sense of adventure, she decides to start her own exploring team fashioned after her idols, the explorers Lewis and Clark, and to map the forest right behind her home. This task is complicated, however, by a series of unique events—a chance encounter with a mysterious old lady has her searching for a legendary blue rose. Another encounter lands her in the middle of a ragtag gang of brilliant troublemakers. And when she stumbles upon none other than the ghost of Meriwether Lewis himself, Goldenrod knows this will be anything but an ordinary summer . . . or an ordinary quest. Debut author Sarvenaz Tash combines an edge-of-your-seat adventure, a uniquely clever voice, and an unforgettable cast of characters to prove that sometimes the best adventures of all are waiting right in your own backyard.
****
I don't read a lot of middle grade books, so I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up THE MAPMAKER AND THE GHOST. This is kind of an area of books that I skipped over almost entirely since by middle grade I was reading romance novels and Sweet Valley High books. With that said, I find Sarv to be very funny, and I couldn't wait to see if they came across in her book.
I'm so happy to say it did. I was reading a copy that has exchanged hands between several Class of 2k12ers. We write comments to the author in the margins, and the comments were loaded with LOLs, smiles and other indicators that (a) we all have a juvenile sense of humor and (b) the author does an amazing job at making us all feel like kids again.
The characters in the novel are so fun to read about. Goldenrod, the intrepid explorer, with her quest to map her town. Her little brother who just wants to be brave enough for his sister to let him come along on her adventures. And then there's the Gross Out Gang, a group of runaway kids who have formed a gang and made a home in the forest Goldenrod is exploring.
There's just enough danger to make you worry for their safety – the Gross Out Gang is up to no good and led by a very bad teen – but not enough to worry a parent who watches over their child's reading material. Mostly, though, kids are going to love the Gross Out Gang with their gleefully disgusting habits and kids will adore Goldenrod and her little brother as they try to outsmart the gang. Really great fun!
A big thumbs up for a rollicking adventure!
***
Check out the links below to see what the other Bookanistas are talking about!
Elana Johnson is entranced by UNTRACEABLE
Shannon Whitney Messenger shouts about twelve 2012 releases she can't wait for–and a pre-order giveaway!
Megan Miranda marvels at UNDER THE NEVER SKY
Corinne Jackson gushes over THE MATCHMAKER AND THE GHOST
Stasia Ward Kehoe gets psyched for 2012
