Bartlett and the Ice Voyage

Barlett #1

by Odo Hirsch, Andrew McLean (Illustrator)

The Queen is a very busy woman who rules over seven kingdoms, some of which she has never even seen. Each kingdom is filled with its own exotic delights, and her loyal subjects constantly send her gifts from far and wide. But there is one fruit she craves--the melidrop--which, until now, has been out of her reach because it rots on the long journey from the far off country in which it grows. This is where Bartlett--the intrepid, stubborn, inventive and irreverent explorer--comes in!

A rip-roaring, fantastical roller-coaster of an adventure story overflowing with wit and rollicking suspense. This is good, old-fashioned storytelling at its very best!

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Adventure, Middle Grade, Australia, Young Adult

175 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Odo Hirsch was born and grew up in Melbourne, where he trained to be a doctor. He now lives in London and writes excellent books that are published not only in Australia but also in the US, UK, Netherlands, Korea, Germany, and Italy.

For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/odo-hirsch

Reviews

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. Boys may need to be convinced to stick with it for the first couple chapters which focus on the young queen. But if they do I think they may enjoy it as well. The majority of the story does focus on the adventure of Bartlett.

This would make a good story to read to children too young to read it for themselves.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another childhood fav which I picked up at the school library stocktake. It's an adventure story where two explorers go to a distant land to do a seemingly impossible task for their queen. It's got ridiculous characters, vivid descriptions of different landscapes, and fast-paced action, so it's great for young readers. However, there is definitely a colonialist undertone. I wonder if the old trope of dudes spending their lives going off to 'discover' places/people/foods will ever go? Or if monarchs will ever be truly criticised in children's literature?

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute light read. I read this for my family book discussion group, in which we pick a book from a certain topic. This time the topic was cold things. I figured ice is cold and I probably wouldn't have picked up the book otherwise. The book starts out with a very spoiled queen who gets everything she wants when ever she wants it (which is usually immediately). The queen learns about this fruit, a very special fruit that one day after its picked goes rotten. Of course the queen can't go herself because she can't leave her castle which is about 8 months travel from the fruit trees... you can imagine her predicament. In comes Bartlett. A world worn traveler with the smarts and intuitiveness to handle this adventure. Do you think he can make it?

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have to love Bartlett. I think it’s great how Odo Hirsch has made the hero appear to be plain and simple, standing next to his tall, dark and strong ‘sidekick’, Jacques. These neat little adventures never get less entraining each time you read them.

[Anna Krjatian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still remember when my year 5 or 6 teacher Mrs Gates read us this book in class in New Zealand. That was when I fell in love with all of Odo Hirsch's stories and his characters adventures. Highly recommend this to adults and children alike.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit heavy-handed in its moralizing, but interesting to see how one might solve this particular problem.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread of a childhood favorite, and it still holds up. Kinda want to do a D&D one-shot about this book.

[Natalie Champion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple story but enjoyable. Perhaps better for younger audiences in that respect.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't all that enthused by this one.

[Chili Public · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute light read. I read this for my family book discussion group, in which we pick a book from a certain topic. This time the topic was cold things. I figured ice is cold and I probably wouldn't have picked up the book otherwise. The book starts out with a very spoiled queen who gets everything she wants when ever she wants it (which is usually immediately). The queen learns about this fruit, a very special fruit that one day after its picked goes rotten. Of course the queen can't go herself because she can't leave her castle which is about 8 months travel from the fruit trees... you can imagine her predicament. In comes Bartlett. A world worn traveler with the smarts and intuitiveness to handle this adventure. Do you think he can make it?

[Liz Yardley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun. Well-written. An adventure in the old sense ... no attitude unless it has consequences, no cheap throw-away scenes within the plot & just the right amount of guess work required by the reader.
My only wish would be to have a little more character development of the protagonist. Perhaps to learn a bit of his past?

[Jemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real fun imaginative story

[Saviour · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very funny book with delicious satirical twists, this story would make a good film.

[Xaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool!

[Mansi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book a while back. Great if you're bored. Entertaining

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a brilliant concet for an adventure. And such cool characters too.