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Word Hunters #1
The Curious Dictionary
From award-winning author Nick Earls and illustrator Terry Whidborne comes a mysterious, action-packed series for the word nerd in us all.
Lexi and Al Hunter are twins with almost nothing in common – except their parents and their birthday! At school Lexi hangs with her friends in the cool crowd, while Al hides in the library reading about history, battles and faraway places.
When the twins stumble upon an old dictionary their world as they know it changes. They are blasted into history to hunt down the words that threaten to vanish from our past and our present. Their lives and the future of the world are at stake. Can they find a way back home? Or will they be trapped in the past forever? Now more than ever, they need to depend on each other if they want to survive.
Lexi and Al Hunter are twins with almost nothing in common – except their parents and their birthday! At school Lexi hangs with her friends in the cool crowd, while Al hides in the library reading about history, battles and faraway places.
When the twins stumble upon an old dictionary their world as they know it changes. They are blasted into history to hunt down the words that threaten to vanish from our past and our present. Their lives and the future of the world are at stake. Can they find a way back home? Or will they be trapped in the past forever? Now more than ever, they need to depend on each other if they want to survive.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
10 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Nick Earls
74 books171 followersNick Earls is the author of twelve books, including bestselling novels such as Zigzag Street, Bachelor Kisses, Perfect Skin and World of Chickens. His work has been published internationally in English and also in translation, and this led to him being a finalist in the Premier of Queensland’s Awards for Export Achievement in 1999.
Zigzag Street won a Betty Trask Award in the UK in 1998, and is currently being developed into a feature film. Bachelor Kisses was one of Who Weekly’s Books of the Year in 1998. Perfect Skin was the only novel nominated for an Australian Comedy Award in 2003, and has recently been filmed in Italy.
He has written five novels with teenage central characters. 48 Shades of Brown was awarded Book of the Year (older readers) by the Children’s Book Council in 2000, and in the US it was a Kirkus Reviews selection in its books of the year for 2004. A feature film adapted from the novel was released in Australia by Buena Vista International in August 2006, and has subsequently screened at festivals in North America and Europe. His earlier young-adult novel, After January, was also an award-winner.
After January, 48 Shades of Brown, Zigzag Street and Perfect Skin have all been successfully adapted for theatre by La Boite, and the Zigzag Street play toured nationally in 2005.
Nick Earls was the founding chair of the Australian arm of the international aid agency War Child and is now a War Child ambassador. He is or has also been patron of Kids Who Make a Difference and Hands on Art, and an honorary ambassador for both the Mater Foundation and the Abused Child Trust. On top of that, he was the face of Brisbane Marketing’s ‘Downtown Brisbane’ and ‘Experience Brisbane’ campaigns.
His contribution to writing in Queensland led to him being awarded the Queensland Writers Centre’s inaugural Johnno award in 2001 and a Centenary Medal in 2003. His work as a writer, in writing industry development and in support of humanitarian causes led to him being named University of Queensland Alumnus of the Year in 2006. He was also the Queensland Multicultural Champion for 2006.
He has an honours degree in Medicine from the University of Queensland, and has lived in Brisbane since migrating as an eight-year-old from Northern Ireland in 1972. London’s Mirror newspaper has called him ‘the first Aussie to make me laugh out loud since Jason Donovan’. His latest novel is Joel and Cat Set the Story Straight, co-written with Rebecca Sparrow.
Zigzag Street won a Betty Trask Award in the UK in 1998, and is currently being developed into a feature film. Bachelor Kisses was one of Who Weekly’s Books of the Year in 1998. Perfect Skin was the only novel nominated for an Australian Comedy Award in 2003, and has recently been filmed in Italy.
He has written five novels with teenage central characters. 48 Shades of Brown was awarded Book of the Year (older readers) by the Children’s Book Council in 2000, and in the US it was a Kirkus Reviews selection in its books of the year for 2004. A feature film adapted from the novel was released in Australia by Buena Vista International in August 2006, and has subsequently screened at festivals in North America and Europe. His earlier young-adult novel, After January, was also an award-winner.
After January, 48 Shades of Brown, Zigzag Street and Perfect Skin have all been successfully adapted for theatre by La Boite, and the Zigzag Street play toured nationally in 2005.
Nick Earls was the founding chair of the Australian arm of the international aid agency War Child and is now a War Child ambassador. He is or has also been patron of Kids Who Make a Difference and Hands on Art, and an honorary ambassador for both the Mater Foundation and the Abused Child Trust. On top of that, he was the face of Brisbane Marketing’s ‘Downtown Brisbane’ and ‘Experience Brisbane’ campaigns.
His contribution to writing in Queensland led to him being awarded the Queensland Writers Centre’s inaugural Johnno award in 2001 and a Centenary Medal in 2003. His work as a writer, in writing industry development and in support of humanitarian causes led to him being named University of Queensland Alumnus of the Year in 2006. He was also the Queensland Multicultural Champion for 2006.
He has an honours degree in Medicine from the University of Queensland, and has lived in Brisbane since migrating as an eight-year-old from Northern Ireland in 1972. London’s Mirror newspaper has called him ‘the first Aussie to make me laugh out loud since Jason Donovan’. His latest novel is Joel and Cat Set the Story Straight, co-written with Rebecca Sparrow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 3, 2012
I really loved this book. It’s fresh, funny, a little quirky, and is bound together by a true passion for words and their importance. Nick Earls is best known for writing humorous popular fiction for adults, many of them set in his home town of Brisbane. He has also written for young adults, winning a Children’s Book Council Award in 2000 for 48 Shades of Brown, which was made into a movie called 48 Shades.
This is, however, his first foray into children’s literature. Since The Curious Dictionary is the first in the Word Hunters series, it’s obviously not going to be his last. I’m very glad, because the genre really suits Nick’s writing. The Curious Dictionary is quick-paced, and the characters are sharply drawn and very likeable. And you all know how much I love a good time travel story! This book really reminded me of a few old, old favourites – Rudyard Kipling’s Pook of Puck Hill, E. Nesbit’s The House of Arden, and Nicholas Stuart Grey’s The Apple-Stone. In each of those books, ‘modern-day’ children are taken back in time to various different historical eras, where they experience a short vignette that illuminates a momentous event in history, without once veering into preachiness.
What I most loved about this book, though, is that it is full of big ideas. Fantasy needs big ideas if it’s going to work at its optimum best. So many people think they can toss off a quick fantasy adventure to tap into the genre’s massive fan base, but a good fantasy novel is one that is heartfelt and full of deep thinking. Nick Earls has managed this brilliantly.
This is, however, his first foray into children’s literature. Since The Curious Dictionary is the first in the Word Hunters series, it’s obviously not going to be his last. I’m very glad, because the genre really suits Nick’s writing. The Curious Dictionary is quick-paced, and the characters are sharply drawn and very likeable. And you all know how much I love a good time travel story! This book really reminded me of a few old, old favourites – Rudyard Kipling’s Pook of Puck Hill, E. Nesbit’s The House of Arden, and Nicholas Stuart Grey’s The Apple-Stone. In each of those books, ‘modern-day’ children are taken back in time to various different historical eras, where they experience a short vignette that illuminates a momentous event in history, without once veering into preachiness.
What I most loved about this book, though, is that it is full of big ideas. Fantasy needs big ideas if it’s going to work at its optimum best. So many people think they can toss off a quick fantasy adventure to tap into the genre’s massive fan base, but a good fantasy novel is one that is heartfelt and full of deep thinking. Nick Earls has managed this brilliantly.
March 26, 2018
a great book for people with wild imagenations
April 10, 2013
I just finished 'Word Hunters The Curious Dictionary' and thoroughly enjoyed it. The wonder of words and their origins is ignited (literally) in the lives of Lexi and Al, twins of the 21st century internet age. Lexi is a reality tv addicted girl, while Al is a book loving history buff. They don't realise when they find a very old book in their school library that this 'The Curious Dictionary' will lead them to discover that their surname Hunter is what they are destined to become. Now I simply must read the next instalment of the journey 'Word Hunters The Lost Hunters'. I'll add a full review in the near future. Stay tuned...
November 6, 2012
I wanted to give this book a 3, but I had to give it a 4. Why? Because of the whole meaning behind the book that you realise at the end.
The book started out slow and at some times seemed pointless. I was disappointed because the concept of the book had excited me so much. I really looked forward to reading it.
It was readable though, and okay enough to read. But again, the ending made it for me.
I recently studied a unit in linguistics and one in a subfield of linguistics covering phonology etc. They both talked about Language change and loss over time. It is very fascinating to me. The history of language IS fascinating (to me). The book shows the importance of language, and that really means something to me.
If you're interested in linguistics at ALL then read this book through to the end. There are some very interesting facts in the ending.
I'll definitely consider reading the second book, though I won't rush to buy it.
The book started out slow and at some times seemed pointless. I was disappointed because the concept of the book had excited me so much. I really looked forward to reading it.
It was readable though, and okay enough to read. But again, the ending made it for me.
I recently studied a unit in linguistics and one in a subfield of linguistics covering phonology etc. They both talked about Language change and loss over time. It is very fascinating to me. The history of language IS fascinating (to me). The book shows the importance of language, and that really means something to me.
If you're interested in linguistics at ALL then read this book through to the end. There are some very interesting facts in the ending.
I'll definitely consider reading the second book, though I won't rush to buy it.
November 27, 2014
The concept of this book is fantastic. Let's just put that out there. This is a marvellous way to teach etymology and inspire a love of language. As an English teacher in training I fully approve of this book and would recommend it to children. Five stars for that. But from time to time I read books that I desperately want to love... but just can't. The Curious Dictionary is one of those. Don't get me wrong, I liked it and certainly enjoyed it (it's rare for me to hate a book), but it's not on my favourites list. I think it's just the pacing. I found it slow and repetitive, but I recognise that it is a story that sets up the story - there are two other books in the series - and this book is necessary preparation for those. I'm not going to give up on these books yet. I look forward to seeing where Nick Earls takes our two book hunters in the future tales.
June 29, 2016
Thank you to UQP for this review copy!
I was incredibly excited to read this, because I love the etymology of words and I love a MG read, and this combined the two with adventure and distant lands and excitement, yet... for me it wasn't a book that transcended ages and was suitable for anyone. It felt very young, the characters were very frustrating for me, and the etymology wasn't captivating as I find it can be. It was still the best part of the book, I believe, but I wish I had felt more strongly about it.
I was incredibly excited to read this, because I love the etymology of words and I love a MG read, and this combined the two with adventure and distant lands and excitement, yet... for me it wasn't a book that transcended ages and was suitable for anyone. It felt very young, the characters were very frustrating for me, and the etymology wasn't captivating as I find it can be. It was still the best part of the book, I believe, but I wish I had felt more strongly about it.
April 18, 2014
An interesting idea for a book and I really liked how the characters landed in the middle of different historical events. It would be a great book to read to a class if you were studying history or the origins of the English language.
November 17, 2014
A great idea, but I found the dialogue forced which was disappointing. I thought the events were too repetitive and that let the story down.
April 18, 2018
The idea of this series is really fascinating, but the execution is less than satisfying, after the first book. Little background, and maybe you get more as you go along, but it felt more focussed on having another action like sequence than helping understand the story.
Overall it was average, hopefully the second one will be better.
Overall it was average, hopefully the second one will be better.
August 29, 2021
it was a well thought out book, but I don't understand the plot. they find a book and go back in time. but for what peruse, that their grandfather is a word hunter?
all in all this book was ok, I wouldn't say it was the best but I thought it was ok. if your into a book that included history places around the world then I think this book us for you
all in all this book was ok, I wouldn't say it was the best but I thought it was ok. if your into a book that included history places around the world then I think this book us for you
August 9, 2018
Very interesting read. Had to keep going to find out what happened next
September 4, 2019
Awesome finding references to places local to me within the story
February 10, 2022
It was a very interesting book and I learned lots of things about the past and the lost languages.
December 27, 2015
This is a fascinating and innovative fantasy story with a twist. Or rather heaps and heaps of twists!
Lexi and Al Hunter are twins who have little in common and live in Fig tree Pocket (just down the road from me, which gave me a kick). Lexi and Al look into a book that sucks them out of their time and into the past. On that first trip through trying to get home they fall deeper and deeper into the past, bewildered as to what is happening at times fascinated at times scared and slowly realising that they are backtracking the evolution and creation of an English word in history.
This is a brilliant way to learn about the past and the English language! For the first part of the book most of the history locations and events were pretty familiar but then it took me to places I hadn't been before. I loved the relationship between Al and Lexi, they are not close friends and do not share many interests but they still care about each other as siblings and are very matter of fact about it. I was cool to read a brother/sister story that managed to avoid a lot of the stereotypes.
The central theme the book is built around and which I won't describe beacuse, spoilers, readily accomodates, or even demands more to be written (if they haven't already). This central theme is pure brilliance, I hope to read more of them.
About the ages it is aimed for; not really sure about this.... Al and Lexi are young, I think primary school? So I suppose it is aimed at kids their age. A lot of it is intelligent, engaging and smart enough to interest kids up to the age of 38.
Lexi and Al Hunter are twins who have little in common and live in Fig tree Pocket (just down the road from me, which gave me a kick). Lexi and Al look into a book that sucks them out of their time and into the past. On that first trip through trying to get home they fall deeper and deeper into the past, bewildered as to what is happening at times fascinated at times scared and slowly realising that they are backtracking the evolution and creation of an English word in history.
This is a brilliant way to learn about the past and the English language! For the first part of the book most of the history locations and events were pretty familiar but then it took me to places I hadn't been before. I loved the relationship between Al and Lexi, they are not close friends and do not share many interests but they still care about each other as siblings and are very matter of fact about it. I was cool to read a brother/sister story that managed to avoid a lot of the stereotypes.
The central theme the book is built around and which I won't describe beacuse, spoilers, readily accomodates, or even demands more to be written (if they haven't already). This central theme is pure brilliance, I hope to read more of them.
About the ages it is aimed for; not really sure about this.... Al and Lexi are young, I think primary school? So I suppose it is aimed at kids their age. A lot of it is intelligent, engaging and smart enough to interest kids up to the age of 38.
August 29, 2013
Once upon a time Nick Earls and Terry Whidborne came into our store to sign our copies of Word Hunters. When there, we asked them to describe their book as we should describe it to customers in about 30secs. They talked me into it.
Initially it wasn't quite what I was expecting, jumping through time and places quite quickly but boy did I get into it. This was a complete nerdfest of history and the English language all cleverly disguised in a time travelling adventure story. For someone like me who a) loves history and b) finds etymology fascinating this was a great jaunt. I particularly loved finding out where "ampersand" comes from. A fantastic read for kids where they might actually learn a thing or two while they're at it (and not even know it!).
Initially it wasn't quite what I was expecting, jumping through time and places quite quickly but boy did I get into it. This was a complete nerdfest of history and the English language all cleverly disguised in a time travelling adventure story. For someone like me who a) loves history and b) finds etymology fascinating this was a great jaunt. I particularly loved finding out where "ampersand" comes from. A fantastic read for kids where they might actually learn a thing or two while they're at it (and not even know it!).
October 20, 2014
I read this book aloud to my 9-10 year old son (he had a birthday mid-book). He had been struggling to find a book that captured his interest since we read Wonder (R.A. Palacio) Then he met Nick Earls on a school excursion and immediately asked to buy this book to read together. We did, and it had just the right amount of adventure, history, fun and pace to keep him interested. I found the descriptions of the actual time travel sequences a bit repetitive, but otherwise quite enjoyed it. I loved the fact that it introduces etymology and the importance of the preservation of language to young readers in a very accessible way. I would recommend it to young readers and am looking forward to reading the sequels.
March 5, 2014
The premise of this book is fantastic, the no fuss, eager way it descends upon the plot, also good, however the applause ends there for me. The characters are lack lustre, the narrative repetitive and despite the potentially cool-graphic-novel-esque illustrations, the book fails to be punchy. There is just not enough captivating about this novel to maintain an interest for both children, and its visiting older readers: it's such a shame this book falls into the "only OK" category. It does not quite live up to the calibre of the "Word Spy" whose ideals it is attempting to build upon.
August 14, 2015
This book was good. It jumped straight into the story so that was alright, i would have liked it to have started just a bit before they travelled in time. The start was interesting, i liked seeing how words originated and what time they travelled to. The ending was amazing, i really wanted to read the next book, it really grabbed me. The middle was kind of boring and there were some bits where it got too boring i had to stop reading. Overall, this was a great read.
November 8, 2015
I really like the concept behind this book - a couple of kids discover a dictionary that sends them back in time to discover the origin of various 20th century words.
The problem is, that the endless jumping through time becomes a bit wearying after a while, and I kind of wanted some more character development.
Still, great way to introduce kids to the origin of words and I'm sure clever 10-12 year olds will love it.
The problem is, that the endless jumping through time becomes a bit wearying after a while, and I kind of wanted some more character development.
Still, great way to introduce kids to the origin of words and I'm sure clever 10-12 year olds will love it.
November 4, 2016
The story beginning wasn't very well explained. It's hard to keep up with what happening, especially if you only find out why these things are happining almost halfway through the book. For me, it was disinteresting and I did not even make it through to the end. I prefer books with a more old English way of writing and not a whole lot of modern unruly spelling. Personally, I would say this sort if fantasy is nit my taste.
September 30, 2012
Not a bad start to a trilogy, but not a great start either. It does feel as though the book is trying a little too hard to be clever, but I suspect now that the world of the word hunters has been established that future instalments will be tighter and a little less pretentious. The illustrations are quirky and cute.
November 28, 2018
I really liked the etymology as a plot device (★★★★★ for originality), it's not something you come across very often. The lower rating is due to the characters. They are very flat; lacking emotions and differentiating personalies. I would have rated this book ★★★★ if the characters had been more interesting and lively.
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August 2, 2015Katharine is a judge for the Sara Douglass 'Book Series' Award. This entry is the personal opinion of Katharine herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
March 10, 2020
You know you're onto a winner when your kids are begging you for another chapter, every single time I try to stop reading. I thought it might be too complex for my kids, age 5 and 6, but they love it.
July 26, 2016
Great book for kids but not only.
These are very interesting books, we get to learn about words evolution.
At first I was a bit uncomfortable with the idea of always having battles mixed but then it goes aside.
A collection to have.
These are very interesting books, we get to learn about words evolution.
At first I was a bit uncomfortable with the idea of always having battles mixed but then it goes aside.
A collection to have.
June 3, 2013
Ingenious. Action packed. A tour of history clothed in modern day witticism. Loved it.
February 22, 2013
Loved it. So did my 12-year-old son.
June 5, 2013
This is one of the best books ever it has everything adventure and history it is really good how they go back in time to hunt down words.
August 5, 2013
I didn't finish. Gave up half way through. I agree with another review who said 'Too much banter'. The story didn't move along enough for me.
April 27, 2014
Cute quick read for the young tween, it covers a lot of history and some Latin and Greek for the geek.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews