Aquila

Aquila #1

by Andrew Norriss

It's a spaceship from the past - can it change the future? Aquila has been found by boys bunking off a geography field trip. They have no idea where it came from or what it does. But Geoff's discovered that when you sit in it these little coloured lights come on, and if you push one of the big blue oneS . . . WHOOSH!

Genres: Childrens, Science Fiction, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 3, 1998

Reviews

[Matilda Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom and Geoff are two schoolboys, who are always getting low marks in their tests, but when they find Aquila, everything changes. . .
In this book, Tom and Geoff find a secret machine called Aquila, which speaks Latin. It can do everything, including speaking to them. They used it to get themselves out of the ditch they found it in, by flying, then they discovered a way to get it back home. They found out that it could not only do good things, but it could also start fires and drag people or objects towards it!
The boys get very interested in Aquila and begin to put their hands up in lessons.
One day in the playground, Aquila gets lost and starts going forward while the boys are in class, and to rescue Aquila, they have to do maths to work out how fast it is going and where.
I thought it had a good storyline. I would recommend it to children my age.

[Ian Tymms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book. Solid G5 to G6 text that is engaging, thoughtful and entertaining. See it as a great book to get boys reading.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aquila by Andrew Norriss – Interesting science fiction book… interesting how the inquiry process really is blatantly presented in this book. Boys skip out on a field trip and discover a skeleton and a spaceship in a cave. Boys learn how to fly around and work the spaceship. Then boys find one thing they’re interested in researching after another. Teachers become concerned and curious about the boyschange in attitude towards reading and learning… I enjoyed the book overall. Wouldn’t mind finding a spaceship to fly around in!

[Gergő · Rating 5 out of 5]

Licat volare si super tergum aquila volat
I'm 30 but I couldn't put this down. :D
I finished it at 1 am. :D

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read this after many years and am just as delighted with it the second time around. Ver well written adventure story about two boys who find a strange alien flying machine. Figuring out how everything works makes their teachers very worried indeed because these two boys never ask anything. Ever.

[Ula · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book to read about accient UFO's combined with the future items. It has a nice unique universe and a Nice story. The characters are nice and I like how they added both stories of the protagonists and the antagonists. That is what was unique about it. I'm glad I could discus this book with my class mates during literature circles in English. So glad they made a sequel

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything a children's story ought to be--at least for boys!

Loved it.

[Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOSTALGIA

[Slow Man · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes. The best books grow old gracefully. Aquila is one of them. It sure is a hidden gem with a message to pass on to young readers. I am glad to have found it. Thank you Mr Norriss for the adventure. Reading a Puffin Modern Classic is like going back in time to be a kid again.

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two boys finding a spaceship in the woods with which they can fly unseen to the most amazing places - doesn't this sound like a fabulous story? Yes, and it gets even better as the boys start to uncover the mystery around this incredible flying machine. I enjoyed the book a lot (even though I usually have a hard time with science fiction) and already thought about a number of my students to recommend it to. But then I got to the end and I am not so sure about how I feel about the book anymore. I found it a bit too "preachy": here is life's lesson, even if you are having problems in school, with extra tutoring and special need's teachers (and of course lots of hard work), you will be a success...mmm... I am afraid that it might not have the intended effect on every reader.

[Edoardo Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story. Two boys - united by friendship and a determination to pass through school entirely unnoticed - discover a strange machine, hidden in a cave, and take it home. Trying to figure out what it can do (pretty well everything turns out to be the answer in the end) causes them to blow their school anonymity as they start asking questions (shock, horror) and they even start to study independently. Norriss writes with a delightfully light touch and two heroes, and the suspicious deputy headmistress, are wonderful creations.

And, on further thought, I'm going to give this book the ultimate 5-star accolade: it really is one of the best children's books I've ever read.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children's books don't have to be deep to be great. And this one is not deep but it was a very good and funny read. Two 11 year old boys stumble upon an ancient hidden life-raft from an alien civilisation - and decide to keep it to themselves. Formerly the two worst students in their year in school, they surprise their teachers with their sudden enthusiasm for archeology, history, geology, mathematics and Latin!

This book was very funny, fast paced, slightly absurd, and yet also highly believable (well... except for the whole UFO thing). I enjoyed it very much and have already suggested my daughter read it!

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadly out of print - entertaining, warm-hearted comedy/fantasy for KS2. Great opening hook- creative writing stimulus similar to The Iron Man (but with humour). Tenuous link to Roman topic. Andrew Norriss was recommended by Ali Sparkes when asked who her favourite children's author was at a recent author event.

[Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story. Witty, engaging, a story of true friendship. Two boys make an amazing discovery on a school field trip. It changes their life in ways you wouldn’t expect. I had forgotten how good a story this is, definitely recommend it.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was my favorite book for the longest time when i was a kid.

[KitKat Chat · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing book

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific book, we all loved it, Great mix of the kids problems with the space ship and then the teachers reactions to the kids.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a very long time ago. I remember enjoying reading it. I was probably around 10 at the time and i defiantly recommend it.

[Declyn]

good

[Luiza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story!!!!

[Finn O'Donohoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy the plot.

[Lasar]

Aquila was such a joy to read. Why did I wait 5 years ://
Incredible book. Can't believe I found it boring when I first tried to read like one page of it.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have fond memories of this book from years back. It has an unusual plot and good characters.