La Ciudad De Los Gorilas¡mis Inauditas, Asombrosas, Increíbles Pero Auténticas Aventuras!:

The Charlie Small Journal #1

by Charlie Small, Carol Isern (Translator)

No one knows the full story of Charlie Small. At least, not yet. His battered journal was found washed up on a remote, windswept shore. And at first we thought it an elaborate hoax. Surely no 8-year-old could have had so many wild adventures, witnessed so many extraordinary things, lived such an incredible life–and still only be eight. And yet . . . there was something so vivid in the telling that we were persuaded to send the journal and some of its boggling content for analysis. And only one conclusion could be drawn. Everything in the journal of Charlie Small is true! In his first adventure, Gorilla City, Charlie wrestles a deadly river croc, rides a steam-powered rhino, and becomes tribal chief in a city of gorillas.

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile, Humor

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Saba (mybookfortress) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is well-written, fast-paced, funny and exciting. There is a sufficient amount of descriptions for a young reader to imagine and enjoy the story, all at the same time.
If I could go back to being a nine-year-old, I’d definitely pick this series up sooner, but I’d still love to read the next book sometime and have another taste of this adventure!

[South Regional Durham County Libraries]

A great choice for younger fans of the Wimpy Kid books. This book is written as a journal from Charlie's point of view. It is hilarious! A must read for boys in 2nd and 3rd grade!

[Erica]

A great choice for younger fans of the Wimpy Kid books. This book is written as a journal from Charlie's point of view. It is hilarious! A must read for boys in 2nd and 3rd grade!

[Suzanne Warr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a tad disjointed, this book was nevertheless a lot of fun, and a book with vivid images and awesome destinations. My favorite was the steampunk-style rhino, but it's chock full of the kind of adventures any kid would love to live--at least vicariously. Get my full thoughts plus the cat's two cents on my blog, and happy reading!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah I know my class will enjoy this but I didn't.
Decent story -3*

[Marife · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will miss home because of this adventure i really like the story and how it has the twists and the end

[Matilda Afford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book and then the next 5 in the series when I was 7 and still think about it to this day.

[Pockpickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was completely obsessed with this series at the time and then forgot about it for 10 years. These books are trapped in the deepest folds of my subconscious.

[Jonathan Gregg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big fan of this book series when I was young! I loved how lively and all the inventions!

[Conan Tigard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right from the first chapter, I knew that I would loved reading about Charlie Small. I especially like when he thinks to himself, "Brilliant!" That just tickles my funny bone. As for this adventure being found in a journal, what a great concept. This is obviously the first of many books to come, as Charlie does not make it home in time for tea. And in his journal, he has scratched out that his is eight years old, and now states that he is probably closer to 400 years old. Wow!

The pace of the book is fast and the action is plentiful. I really enjoyed getting to know Charlie and loved all of the creatures he runs into on his adventure. As for the mean and evil gorilla, it has been proven that gorillas are gentle creatures that will rarely hurt a fly. Still, this is a fictional book and I can roll with the fantasy that the leader of the gorillas is mean. I loved the pictures that Charlie draws throughout his journal as they add greatly to the enjoyment of the storytelling.

Overall, Gorilla City by Charlie Small is an excellent start to a series that promises to be fun and exciting. I cannot wait to see what happening next in The Perfumed Pirates of Perfidy. Should be quite exciting.

I rated this book a 9 out of 10.

[Mig793 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5/5 Me ha gustado pero... Este libro es una novela middle-grade tirando más a infantil. La historia es muy original y también muy extraña. Por ejemplo, de repente, el autor cambiaba al protagonista así porque así de un lugar a otro sin dar explicación aparente y yo ya no sabia ni dónde estaba ni cómo ni porqué había llegado allí. Aparte de eso, he sentido que lo que me ha contado en 130 páginas se podía haber resumido en 60 páginas como mucho. Los personajes: un niño y muchos animales, no tienen evolución alguna, ni personalidad ni nada. Y no es porque sea una novela infantil, ya que he leído varias de este género en las que los personajes están muy bien desarrollados. El estilo narrativo está bien pero no es nada del otro mundo. No aporta mucho pero para el tipo de novela que es, está bastante bien. Lo mejor sin duda es el ritmo porque es muy rápido, ágil y se lee en apenas una hora como mucho; no se hace pesado ni aburrido. Aún así, no creo que vaya a continuar con la saga. Lo recomiendo para personas entre 7 y 10 años.

[Pat Salvatini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purportedly the true journal of Charlie Small, a former eight-year old who plays video games but hopes for adventure. He keeps his rucksack paced with all the essentials, just in case. Then something strange happens to Charlie when lightening strikes, his raft is no longer floating close to home. He encounters a strange world filled with strange animals. Luckily Charlie thinks fast and avoids a series of pitfalls as he tames a rhino, fights crocodiles and snakes, and learns to speak gorilla. The plot is predictable but fresh with lively antidotes and plenty of amusing black & white drawings. Some of the British vocabulary may be challenge, but the definitions are easy to determine and should not bother most children. This is the first of a series of stories featuring crazy new adventures.

The Charlie Small website offers continued adventure for readers to explore @ http://bit.ly/NsvKdt

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If your kids liked Lemony Snicket's series, or Spiderwick Chronicles this would be a wonderful way to keep them amused for a long car ride. They'll probably start saying little Britishisms like "brilliant" to mean oh goodie and biscuts instead of cookies. I'm sure the book version is just as lovely, but while the language is high level the story is geared for the 6 to 9 year old adventure loving boy.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a really creative story for boys. I love Charlie Small and the fact that no matter how many times he calls home his mother never gets worried. His adventure was non-stop and funny. I love the gorillas. If you need a fun read for a boy that is not that well know this is a great one. Grades 2+

[Fantom1334 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is amazing and is one the very first books that got me hooked to reading. Its about a boy who gets sucked into a magical portal and enters a new universe of wonder and amazement.He stumbles upon a city full of gorrilas and learns their way of speaking.He also gets help from an anomynous proffesor. Join him as he tries to find his way home.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick read. It's fun and silly. It's easy to read because of the short sentences and the quick action throughout. I would recommend it for high 3rd graders through middle school. It is a British book, so beware the lingo.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adventurous, fast-action read with a daring protagonist! Boys, especially, in elementary and early middle school will like this! The vocabulary and language are colorful and engaging. The young narrator on the audio book does a fantastic job!

[Sean Harding · Rating 2 out of 5]

It may be just me but I just didn't get into this one, it was all designed well, and looked the whole part, but I found the story quite uninviting and a little dull for me. Again it may be me, but if anything I suspect this one, not for this reader.

[Mokamonkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love this one, but Grade School boys would probably like it. It's got adventure, but I think the journal format kept you a bit removed from it.

[Elisabeth]

Thanks Julie for recommending this. David is on his third listen! :)

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

good adventure story, the writing isn't great, and its peppered with british slang. otherwise, it's a good story.

[Desi Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

these series are great. i highly recommend this book.

[Thia · Rating 3 out of 5]

journal format

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the adventure

[Tino · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an fantastic start , I loved how the author was so creative and it was very adventurous . Keep it up !!!!

[Holly Kipling · Rating 5 out of 5]

The books of my childhood. I'm 15 and I still read them! Love them to bits!

[Bailey Johannes]

I found this book online and it had good reviews.

[Hahn Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lo leí en español

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

An imaginative adventure with unexpected twists and turns that keep you interested all the way through the story. I will be recommending this series to boys looking for adventure

[Fuad]

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