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The Bizarre Baron Inventions #2
The Splendid Baron Submarine (2)
" The Splendid Baron Submarine is delightfully absurd, imaginative, and fun―a wonderful book for middleschool children to read on their own, and an even better book for families to read aloud together." - Foreword Reviews, Starred Review
Pirate treasure? A top secret mission? A terribly rude monkey with personal boundary and hygiene issues? Two out of three of those things sound like a dream come true to the young, clumsy, and terribly unscientific Waldo “W.B.” Baron, when his clever inventor parents are hired to go on a secret treasure hunt. The Baron family dives into adventure with their steam-powered submarine, but they aren’t prepared for the complications that occur during their trip, which include shark attacks, deep sea diving mishaps, and even a pirate’s curse, all of which W.B. is lucky enough to discover, one stumble, trip, and fall at a time.
Pirate treasure? A top secret mission? A terribly rude monkey with personal boundary and hygiene issues? Two out of three of those things sound like a dream come true to the young, clumsy, and terribly unscientific Waldo “W.B.” Baron, when his clever inventor parents are hired to go on a secret treasure hunt. The Baron family dives into adventure with their steam-powered submarine, but they aren’t prepared for the complications that occur during their trip, which include shark attacks, deep sea diving mishaps, and even a pirate’s curse, all of which W.B. is lucky enough to discover, one stumble, trip, and fall at a time.
- GenresMiddle GradeAdventure
244 pages, Paperback
Published December 11, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 10, 2018
Although that The Splendid Baron Submarine is already the second book in The Baron Inventions series, this is a standalone novel and readers could still able to follow on who is W.B. and his family is. Aside from the Baron's fun adventures, this book is also filled with hilarious experiences and banters of their family.
This is a light-read because I was able to finish this within 5 hours; I was still craving for more right after I'm through with this. I will also try to check out the first and the upcoming third book in this series because I like Bower's way of writing: comical and light yet, it provides useful information about some historical facts and inventions in the past.
This is a light-read because I was able to finish this within 5 hours; I was still craving for more right after I'm through with this. I will also try to check out the first and the upcoming third book in this series because I like Bower's way of writing: comical and light yet, it provides useful information about some historical facts and inventions in the past.
November 5, 2017
4.5 stars
Originally posted on: The Quirky Book Nerd
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
After reading and thoroughly enjoy the previous novel, I had no idea that there were going to be any other books following it. So I’m sure you can imagine just how excited I was when this randomly showed up on my doorstep one day. And this new installment did not disappoint—it was equally as hilarious and entertaining as the first Baron adventure. In fact, this plotline is my favorite of the two. Just like the first one, this story is a madcap adventure with the significance of family, friendship, and love at its core.
I fell even more in love with the characters Bower has created for these stories. It is so wonderful to see the new dynamic between them—building on that of the first novel. Even with the many misunderstandings that happen between the members of the Baron family throughout the course of the novel, they still remain tightknit and incredibly loving. This creates an appealing warmth in the tone and atmosphere.
In this novel, the Baron family is approached by the Vice President of the United States, who sends them off on a new adventure—this time at the bottom of the ocean. They have been given the task of tracking down a lost pirate treasure, which will be used to help the government repay a national debt.
Traveling in their steam-powered submarine, W.B. and his family go through another overly complicated journey. We follow them as they run into an enormous amount of outlandish obstacles, many involving W.B.’s usual clumsiness and his feud with a rather mischievous little monkey. However, not all is as it seems. Unsavory forces are at work, and maybe the troubles of their nautical excursion are the least of their problems.
While this is obviously not a deep and thought-provoking read and the target audience is fairly young, it is still so much fun. The characters’ wacky antics and escapades will have you laughing out loud. It is absolutely impossible to read these stories without a smile on your face. I will admit, the humor is not for everyone—older readers may not be as captivated by the childlike nature of it. In addition to that, the events of the story are quite random and jumbled, which does not negatively impact the narrative by any means—it is very fitting for the plot. However, this format is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea.
On the other hand, it is perfect for children—and for some adults, it will entertain the inner child we all have. This is one of those stories that had me wishing it had been around when I was younger. The outlandish nature of the events of the plot is what makes this story so great. One must suspend their disbelief and go along with the far-fetched and preposterous aspects of Bower’s unique version of the past.
The actual text of the novel itself is very easy to fall into and flows extremely well. Bower’s style is unquestionably a style that is appropriately accessible for the intended audience. He does a fantastic job of making the unbelievable believable—an essential part of this narrative. And at no point does it feel like it would be difficult for a child to understand or that it might make them lose interest. This book can be read as a standalone, though I personally feel that reading the series in order works a bit better.
Overall, this novel was equally as entertaining as the previous one, if not even more so. The Splendid Baron Submarine is a fast-paced and universally enjoyable read. Filled with hysterical surprises and humor that is just plain silly, this quirky tale is perfect for people of any age. This is a light and incredibly big-hearted series as a whole, and will undoubtedly pick up your spirits. I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a warm and cheerful story or something amusing and wholesome for your child to read.
Originally posted on: The Quirky Book Nerd
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
After reading and thoroughly enjoy the previous novel, I had no idea that there were going to be any other books following it. So I’m sure you can imagine just how excited I was when this randomly showed up on my doorstep one day. And this new installment did not disappoint—it was equally as hilarious and entertaining as the first Baron adventure. In fact, this plotline is my favorite of the two. Just like the first one, this story is a madcap adventure with the significance of family, friendship, and love at its core.
I fell even more in love with the characters Bower has created for these stories. It is so wonderful to see the new dynamic between them—building on that of the first novel. Even with the many misunderstandings that happen between the members of the Baron family throughout the course of the novel, they still remain tightknit and incredibly loving. This creates an appealing warmth in the tone and atmosphere.
In this novel, the Baron family is approached by the Vice President of the United States, who sends them off on a new adventure—this time at the bottom of the ocean. They have been given the task of tracking down a lost pirate treasure, which will be used to help the government repay a national debt.
Traveling in their steam-powered submarine, W.B. and his family go through another overly complicated journey. We follow them as they run into an enormous amount of outlandish obstacles, many involving W.B.’s usual clumsiness and his feud with a rather mischievous little monkey. However, not all is as it seems. Unsavory forces are at work, and maybe the troubles of their nautical excursion are the least of their problems.
While this is obviously not a deep and thought-provoking read and the target audience is fairly young, it is still so much fun. The characters’ wacky antics and escapades will have you laughing out loud. It is absolutely impossible to read these stories without a smile on your face. I will admit, the humor is not for everyone—older readers may not be as captivated by the childlike nature of it. In addition to that, the events of the story are quite random and jumbled, which does not negatively impact the narrative by any means—it is very fitting for the plot. However, this format is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea.
On the other hand, it is perfect for children—and for some adults, it will entertain the inner child we all have. This is one of those stories that had me wishing it had been around when I was younger. The outlandish nature of the events of the plot is what makes this story so great. One must suspend their disbelief and go along with the far-fetched and preposterous aspects of Bower’s unique version of the past.
The actual text of the novel itself is very easy to fall into and flows extremely well. Bower’s style is unquestionably a style that is appropriately accessible for the intended audience. He does a fantastic job of making the unbelievable believable—an essential part of this narrative. And at no point does it feel like it would be difficult for a child to understand or that it might make them lose interest. This book can be read as a standalone, though I personally feel that reading the series in order works a bit better.
Overall, this novel was equally as entertaining as the previous one, if not even more so. The Splendid Baron Submarine is a fast-paced and universally enjoyable read. Filled with hysterical surprises and humor that is just plain silly, this quirky tale is perfect for people of any age. This is a light and incredibly big-hearted series as a whole, and will undoubtedly pick up your spirits. I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a warm and cheerful story or something amusing and wholesome for your child to read.
September 25, 2017
This is the second book in a series - but is perfect as a standalone too. I read the first book in the fall and have recommended it to anyone who would listen that had readers in 3rd grade through middle school. W.B. is living in a time of horse drawn carriages but with parents that can invent almost anything. The book follows the same zany adventure ideas as the first with parents that have created such cool things as a "bigger" machine - watch out for the earthworm! I really liked the jumping around as W.B. told the story and the imagination expanding scenes with the goofy antics of everyone from poor Aunt Dorcas, who always gets left behind, to the bodyguards who come to kidnap the family.
August 6, 2017
Are there any references to the previous book? Yes. Do you need to read that book before enjoying this one? Nahh.
The book was a very fun and quick adventurous read and I believe I would have absolutely loved it when I was a little younger. It reminded me of one of my favourite books when I was around 12/13 years, but this book is still very fun at an older age - there are a lot of jokes that only "older" readers will instantly get, I really recommend it.
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book was a very fun and quick adventurous read and I believe I would have absolutely loved it when I was a little younger. It reminded me of one of my favourite books when I was around 12/13 years, but this book is still very fun at an older age - there are a lot of jokes that only "older" readers will instantly get, I really recommend it.
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 13, 2017
Silly, Silly, Silly
This is a neat book, but it can be a bit exhausting. In that regard it reminded me a lot of those "Amelia Bedelia" books in which Amelia mishears and misunderstands everything she hears, (when someone says "Let's hit the road", she bends over and pats the asphalt), and the joke just goes on and on. Well, this book has a couple of running jokes, (Pa invents and builds ridiculous things in seconds, our kid hero is really clumsy, people mishear each other all the time), that can be wearing.
But, in and among those predictable threads there are many funny and clever one-off jokes and throwaway lines. There are lots of clever bits of business, occasional interesting wordplay, and some nice deadpan humor from W.B., our kid narrator. The upshot is that you get a slightly frustrating pacing problem -- On one hand there is an underwater scene in which W.B. escapes a giant eel and a shark. The scene is action-packed, suspenseful, and packed with funny lines. There are lots of bits like this. On the other hand there is a scene in which the Baron family is abducted by two really stooopid thugs - the scene goes on for page after page after page, and the stooopidness stuff becomes tedious. There are also more labored scenes like that.
The upshot for me was that this felt like the kind of book that could be hit or miss from one young reader to another. Some might be tickled by the really silly stuff, some not. Some might be patient with the slightly dragged out scenes, some might want a bit more pace, plot and flow. The book does pick up and tighten up, and the plot does speed up and get more on track, as the book progresses. I warmed up to this as it went on, and suspect that might be the case for other readers as well. In that light, this certainly did seem like a book that would be worth a try by most readers.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
This is a neat book, but it can be a bit exhausting. In that regard it reminded me a lot of those "Amelia Bedelia" books in which Amelia mishears and misunderstands everything she hears, (when someone says "Let's hit the road", she bends over and pats the asphalt), and the joke just goes on and on. Well, this book has a couple of running jokes, (Pa invents and builds ridiculous things in seconds, our kid hero is really clumsy, people mishear each other all the time), that can be wearing.
But, in and among those predictable threads there are many funny and clever one-off jokes and throwaway lines. There are lots of clever bits of business, occasional interesting wordplay, and some nice deadpan humor from W.B., our kid narrator. The upshot is that you get a slightly frustrating pacing problem -- On one hand there is an underwater scene in which W.B. escapes a giant eel and a shark. The scene is action-packed, suspenseful, and packed with funny lines. There are lots of bits like this. On the other hand there is a scene in which the Baron family is abducted by two really stooopid thugs - the scene goes on for page after page after page, and the stooopidness stuff becomes tedious. There are also more labored scenes like that.
The upshot for me was that this felt like the kind of book that could be hit or miss from one young reader to another. Some might be tickled by the really silly stuff, some not. Some might be patient with the slightly dragged out scenes, some might want a bit more pace, plot and flow. The book does pick up and tighten up, and the plot does speed up and get more on track, as the book progresses. I warmed up to this as it went on, and suspect that might be the case for other readers as well. In that light, this certainly did seem like a book that would be worth a try by most readers.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
November 19, 2017
Have you ever written one of those "How I Spent my Summer Vacation" essays? Waldo's essay gets him in trouble with the teacher, who believes he has written fiction rather than a true account of his family's summer. Imagine an adventure that has pirates and ghosts, scientists and amazing inventions, and an underwater treasure hunt. That will put you somewhere in the neighborhood of The Splendid Baron Submarine. Waldo Baron, W.B. to his family, narrates the story of his family and their incredible summer vacation. Waldo has two scientists for parents, and they are asked by the Vice-President of the United States to recover a lost pirate treasure and save the country from bankruptcy. Although he has the least scientific brain in the world, W.B. is swept along as his parents and their assistant head off to the Pacific.
Filled with eccentric characters, evil monkeys, decorative jelly beans, and dreams about talking squirrels, this book is never dull. Waldo is an entertaining narrator who shares his puzzlement over his parents and their theories, his fears, and even the extremes of his own clumsiness (getting his head stuck in the stove during a happy dance, for example). As I read, I pictured his father looking much like Doc Brown from "Back to the Future" and the submarine full of tools and half-finished inventions. Waldo's descriptions will have you laughing out loud as he says the Vice-President "looked at us as though we'd just slapped him across the face with a wet trout." And when he encounters a ghost, he explains that "my brain spun in my head like a cow in a cyclone." (I pictured the movie "Twister" at that point, with Helen Hunt saying "Cow." as one goes flying past their truck.)
If you enjoy humorous stories with lots of action, vicious wildlife (monkeys, sharks, eels), enormous jewels, and multiple ghosts, then pick up this book. Until you read it, you can't imagine all the zany events and characters. Once you dive in, you'll be a captive audience for the entire thing - just like W.B.
I read an ebook provided by the publishers through NetGalley.
Filled with eccentric characters, evil monkeys, decorative jelly beans, and dreams about talking squirrels, this book is never dull. Waldo is an entertaining narrator who shares his puzzlement over his parents and their theories, his fears, and even the extremes of his own clumsiness (getting his head stuck in the stove during a happy dance, for example). As I read, I pictured his father looking much like Doc Brown from "Back to the Future" and the submarine full of tools and half-finished inventions. Waldo's descriptions will have you laughing out loud as he says the Vice-President "looked at us as though we'd just slapped him across the face with a wet trout." And when he encounters a ghost, he explains that "my brain spun in my head like a cow in a cyclone." (I pictured the movie "Twister" at that point, with Helen Hunt saying "Cow." as one goes flying past their truck.)
If you enjoy humorous stories with lots of action, vicious wildlife (monkeys, sharks, eels), enormous jewels, and multiple ghosts, then pick up this book. Until you read it, you can't imagine all the zany events and characters. Once you dive in, you'll be a captive audience for the entire thing - just like W.B.
I read an ebook provided by the publishers through NetGalley.
November 30, 2017
Sometimes it's a challenge to get into the minds of middle-grade readers, but Eric Bower has succeeded in this book about W.B. (Waldo) Baron, a middle-grade boy who has started a new school year in the classroom corner wearing a dunce cap. He has just read some of his summertime adventures to his class, and his teacher is convinced he's lying.
Only those of us who have read this whole story realize that no matter the outrageous shenanigans W.B. told, it is true life for a young boy. At first, I too wondered how a boy whose family lives in the horse-drawn carriage age, whose parents, world-class inventors, can possibly already be "flying" an Air Oh! plane, shrinking things, and using a submarine to find treasure with a pirate's curse? Then I believe I understood. Young readers' inner imaginations are like this. They wish they could have these crazy adventures instead of their often-boring daily lives of school and soccer, music lessons and home. Yes, a good life, but not even close to as exciting as Waldo's.
In the corner, Waldo manages to whisper about his summer to a group of mice, also in a corner home and we readers get to listen, too. There are those unique inventions (a steam-powered submarine!), secret meetings, and a rude monkey one this journey.
The family is on a mission to find a hidden pirate treasure for the U.S. vice-president who claims he needs it to save the country. Along the way, there are funny bits that help readers see Waldo as some part of themselves. He is clumsy, he's always hungry, and he uses words that he really doesn't understand, but serves them up in order to be seen as smart. He doesn't always get good attention yet when he does, he becomes a hero. Isn't that every child's dream?
Only those of us who have read this whole story realize that no matter the outrageous shenanigans W.B. told, it is true life for a young boy. At first, I too wondered how a boy whose family lives in the horse-drawn carriage age, whose parents, world-class inventors, can possibly already be "flying" an Air Oh! plane, shrinking things, and using a submarine to find treasure with a pirate's curse? Then I believe I understood. Young readers' inner imaginations are like this. They wish they could have these crazy adventures instead of their often-boring daily lives of school and soccer, music lessons and home. Yes, a good life, but not even close to as exciting as Waldo's.
In the corner, Waldo manages to whisper about his summer to a group of mice, also in a corner home and we readers get to listen, too. There are those unique inventions (a steam-powered submarine!), secret meetings, and a rude monkey one this journey.
The family is on a mission to find a hidden pirate treasure for the U.S. vice-president who claims he needs it to save the country. Along the way, there are funny bits that help readers see Waldo as some part of themselves. He is clumsy, he's always hungry, and he uses words that he really doesn't understand, but serves them up in order to be seen as smart. He doesn't always get good attention yet when he does, he becomes a hero. Isn't that every child's dream?
November 30, 2017
Right from the start, I was taken in by the quirky and fun conversational styling the author uses to share the Baron's story. With wordy wit and snarky snark, there's just no way you can deny it; this book was made to be a lot of fun!
We start with Mongo and Knuckles, two goons on a mission that they can't quite keep between them (the definition of secret escapes them entirely), continue with the "very peculiar underwear, Stephen" person (no comment), head out with the Barons on a secret-type mission of their own where we encounter any number of dangers and problems that need more than simple luck to be solved (not the least of which include a monkey, a shark, and an eel), and wind up dangling between the jaws of oblivion (dun dun dunnn!) just when all seemed said and done. It's as much a story of curiosity, invention, and imagination, as it is of self-worth, family standings, and never-saying-die. I think of it as The Goonies meets A Series of Unfortunate Events...and I know I'll be seeking out the first book as well as the forthcoming third in this utterly ridiculous but OH-SO-FUN series!
**copy received for review
We start with Mongo and Knuckles, two goons on a mission that they can't quite keep between them (the definition of secret escapes them entirely), continue with the "very peculiar underwear, Stephen" person (no comment), head out with the Barons on a secret-type mission of their own where we encounter any number of dangers and problems that need more than simple luck to be solved (not the least of which include a monkey, a shark, and an eel), and wind up dangling between the jaws of oblivion (dun dun dunnn!) just when all seemed said and done. It's as much a story of curiosity, invention, and imagination, as it is of self-worth, family standings, and never-saying-die. I think of it as The Goonies meets A Series of Unfortunate Events...and I know I'll be seeking out the first book as well as the forthcoming third in this utterly ridiculous but OH-SO-FUN series!
**copy received for review
August 17, 2017
**I received a digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
This is the 2nd book in the Bizarre Baron Adventures, and I can't wait for more. I am reading these to my 11 year old son, and my 8 year old, who rarely follows along is being sucked in as well.
Poor W.B. is such a normal kid, with brilliant parents. He ends up going along with them on all sorts of strange adventures. When his teacher asks him what he did on summer vacation, he ends up in trouble because she assumes he is making up stories.
I love how silly everything gets. Like he is the only one who will fit in the underwater suit. He ends up between a shark and an eel. His father falls in love with a monkey, whom he names Waldo because he always wanted a son named Waldo. Which really makes W.B. mad, because his name IS Waldo.
It makes us all laugh, and we end up reading through this faster than any other story. It's light and easy going.
This is the 2nd book in the Bizarre Baron Adventures, and I can't wait for more. I am reading these to my 11 year old son, and my 8 year old, who rarely follows along is being sucked in as well.
Poor W.B. is such a normal kid, with brilliant parents. He ends up going along with them on all sorts of strange adventures. When his teacher asks him what he did on summer vacation, he ends up in trouble because she assumes he is making up stories.
I love how silly everything gets. Like he is the only one who will fit in the underwater suit. He ends up between a shark and an eel. His father falls in love with a monkey, whom he names Waldo because he always wanted a son named Waldo. Which really makes W.B. mad, because his name IS Waldo.
It makes us all laugh, and we end up reading through this faster than any other story. It's light and easy going.
March 22, 2018
RATING: 3.5
This is the second book in a series, and just like the first one, it is full of fun and weird stuff courtesy of the Barons and the rest of the characters. I've read the first book and it helps me to appreciate the author's humor and understand the story better. Because of it, I am more prepared for the quirky characters and bizarre storyline and setting. W.B. is the narrator of the story and he did a good job in keeping my interest. I also believe that middle-graders will easily relate to W.B. and find his adventure a lot of fun as it will surely tickle their imagination. Plus there are some lessons to be learned, too. This fast-paced crazy-filled adventure will surely appeal to younger readers but I'm sure there'll be adults who'll find this kind of story entertaining, too.
This is the second book in a series, and just like the first one, it is full of fun and weird stuff courtesy of the Barons and the rest of the characters. I've read the first book and it helps me to appreciate the author's humor and understand the story better. Because of it, I am more prepared for the quirky characters and bizarre storyline and setting. W.B. is the narrator of the story and he did a good job in keeping my interest. I also believe that middle-graders will easily relate to W.B. and find his adventure a lot of fun as it will surely tickle their imagination. Plus there are some lessons to be learned, too. This fast-paced crazy-filled adventure will surely appeal to younger readers but I'm sure there'll be adults who'll find this kind of story entertaining, too.
August 9, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley and Amberjack Publishing for allowing me to receive an ARC copy of this book. It is an honest review.
I had not read this series before even though our library has the first book. The Splendid Baron Submarine is a delightful, adventure of family fun. I of course love pirates and this book has so much fun with the pirate theme. W.B. leads the adventure again with his inventions and quick wit. I loved the monkey. It is a great side character and has hilarious misadventures. I think for kids 11 and older this is a great series! I went back and read the first one because I enjoyed this one so much. Don't skip out on this series. Great read for Middle Grade and more advanced Elementary readers!
I had not read this series before even though our library has the first book. The Splendid Baron Submarine is a delightful, adventure of family fun. I of course love pirates and this book has so much fun with the pirate theme. W.B. leads the adventure again with his inventions and quick wit. I loved the monkey. It is a great side character and has hilarious misadventures. I think for kids 11 and older this is a great series! I went back and read the first one because I enjoyed this one so much. Don't skip out on this series. Great read for Middle Grade and more advanced Elementary readers!
December 6, 2017
Eric Bower claims to be the king of adjectives, and that may well be true :-), but he's also an imaginative and entertaining storyteller. I really enjoyed his newest book about the wild adventures of W.B. and the Baron family.
Full of wild inventions, fun stories, treasure hunting, and numerous other strange occurrences that filled Waldo's (WB) summer vacation. This book borders on the Steampunk genre in many ways, and also includes mystery, suspense, and science. Watch out for dangerous sea monsters, wacky ghosts, and bumbling crooks as you join the Baron family on another of their many wondrous adventures.
Full of wild inventions, fun stories, treasure hunting, and numerous other strange occurrences that filled Waldo's (WB) summer vacation. This book borders on the Steampunk genre in many ways, and also includes mystery, suspense, and science. Watch out for dangerous sea monsters, wacky ghosts, and bumbling crooks as you join the Baron family on another of their many wondrous adventures.
February 11, 2018
Second in the series but this could be read as a stand alone.
W.B. and his family set off on another adventure to locate a pirate's lost treasure. Along the way they pick up a monkey and three ghosts. They also discover they've been tricked by two criminals and they aren't saving the country.
Readers will enjoy the humor - think Amelia Bedelia. I didn't care for the opening and closing with the dunce cap at school, but, again, younger readers will enjoy the humor.
W.B. and his family set off on another adventure to locate a pirate's lost treasure. Along the way they pick up a monkey and three ghosts. They also discover they've been tricked by two criminals and they aren't saving the country.
Readers will enjoy the humor - think Amelia Bedelia. I didn't care for the opening and closing with the dunce cap at school, but, again, younger readers will enjoy the humor.
October 19, 2017
This is the second book in the Bizzare Baron Inventions series. Like the first book, The Splendid Baron Submarine is light-hearted and full of humor.
The Baron's are tasked with finding a long lost treasure to become national heroes. It seems like an easy task thanks to M and P's inventions. When you add in monkeys, ghosts, sharks, and giant worms, the task starts to seem impossible. While W.B's sanity is called into question, the family realizes that things may not be as they first appeared.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Eric Bower
Publisher: Amberjack Publishing
Publication Date: 7 Nov 2017
The Baron's are tasked with finding a long lost treasure to become national heroes. It seems like an easy task thanks to M and P's inventions. When you add in monkeys, ghosts, sharks, and giant worms, the task starts to seem impossible. While W.B's sanity is called into question, the family realizes that things may not be as they first appeared.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Eric Bower
Publisher: Amberjack Publishing
Publication Date: 7 Nov 2017
October 12, 2018
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite middle grade trilogies. The members of the Baron family are delightfully quirky and Eric Bower's writing does a great job of capturing adventure and humor.
January 6, 2019
I read this to my children, and we all loved it!
November 4, 2017
Playful, funny, and very imaginative! This book was a great follow-up to the first one in the series and I enjoyed every minute of the character's and their adventures!
August 3, 2017
I received a complimentary copy of this ARC from Amberjack Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited when I received this book in the mail. I loved Eric Bower’s first book in this series, THE MAGNIFICENT FLYING BARON ESTATE.
Once again, be prepared for a crazy, fun, and hilarious adventure with the Baron family. All the old familiars are in this book. The Baron family all go by nicknames: Waldo-WB, Pa-P, and Ma-M. Who knows exactly why. The Barons are in no way a family that thinks they need to explain their actions. WB is still the same pudgy, tripping, accident prone, nonscientific thinking kid. P is still outright brilliantly crazy, constantly thinking up way out there inventions. M. helps P with his crazy ideas while Rose is their new assistant. They are all constantly trying to stay away from whining Aunt Dorcas. The Baron family meets some “shady” characters and a hairy character that will totally crack you up! Eric Bower has a true gift with his character descriptions. His exaggeration of features and the cheesy humor are over the top, but it is just what young readers crave! The humor will have the reader laughing out loud and wanting to share the joke or one liner with everyone around. You will wish you really knew a family like the Barons because you would constantly be in stitches and your cheeks would hurt from always smiling. Plus, their handy inventions just might save the day!
Their adventure involves saving the United States by recovering a lost, sunken treasure. Of course, you already know from the title that this involves a submarine. P and M will also introduce several other lifesaving inventions. I love how absentminded P is and how casual he is about his inventions. He reminds me of the absent minded professor. The whole gang doesn’t think anything about his hairbrained inventions. In fact, as the reader you will expect P to save the day, but you will always be surprised by how. The Baron’s adventure will take you from the deep seas to the scorching desert. Those Barons can go anywhere!
I really think it is important that young readers experience humor and mystery in books. Both prepare them for becoming adult readers. THE SPLENDID BARON SUBMARINE gives the reader practice at learning how to read humor and get it. It also has foreshadowing and hides “hints” throughout the story that will help the reader figure out the ending. This book is going to be one that hooks young readers on the humor and mystery genres. Readers will not even be aware that they are learning to become better readers because the “lessons” are so cleverly disguised. Like everything, reading takes practice to master.
Since I enjoyed THE MAGNIFICENT FLYING BARON ESTATE and THE SPLENDID BARON SUBMARINE, I am hoping and praying that the Baron adventures continue in several more books. I can hardly guess what they will get into next!
I was so excited when I received this book in the mail. I loved Eric Bower’s first book in this series, THE MAGNIFICENT FLYING BARON ESTATE.
Once again, be prepared for a crazy, fun, and hilarious adventure with the Baron family. All the old familiars are in this book. The Baron family all go by nicknames: Waldo-WB, Pa-P, and Ma-M. Who knows exactly why. The Barons are in no way a family that thinks they need to explain their actions. WB is still the same pudgy, tripping, accident prone, nonscientific thinking kid. P is still outright brilliantly crazy, constantly thinking up way out there inventions. M. helps P with his crazy ideas while Rose is their new assistant. They are all constantly trying to stay away from whining Aunt Dorcas. The Baron family meets some “shady” characters and a hairy character that will totally crack you up! Eric Bower has a true gift with his character descriptions. His exaggeration of features and the cheesy humor are over the top, but it is just what young readers crave! The humor will have the reader laughing out loud and wanting to share the joke or one liner with everyone around. You will wish you really knew a family like the Barons because you would constantly be in stitches and your cheeks would hurt from always smiling. Plus, their handy inventions just might save the day!
Their adventure involves saving the United States by recovering a lost, sunken treasure. Of course, you already know from the title that this involves a submarine. P and M will also introduce several other lifesaving inventions. I love how absentminded P is and how casual he is about his inventions. He reminds me of the absent minded professor. The whole gang doesn’t think anything about his hairbrained inventions. In fact, as the reader you will expect P to save the day, but you will always be surprised by how. The Baron’s adventure will take you from the deep seas to the scorching desert. Those Barons can go anywhere!
I really think it is important that young readers experience humor and mystery in books. Both prepare them for becoming adult readers. THE SPLENDID BARON SUBMARINE gives the reader practice at learning how to read humor and get it. It also has foreshadowing and hides “hints” throughout the story that will help the reader figure out the ending. This book is going to be one that hooks young readers on the humor and mystery genres. Readers will not even be aware that they are learning to become better readers because the “lessons” are so cleverly disguised. Like everything, reading takes practice to master.
Since I enjoyed THE MAGNIFICENT FLYING BARON ESTATE and THE SPLENDID BARON SUBMARINE, I am hoping and praying that the Baron adventures continue in several more books. I can hardly guess what they will get into next!
Want to Read
September 26, 2017Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
November 25, 2017
Adventure, quirky antics and joke, monkey side-kick, inventions and loads of madcap fun, if you want them all, then this book series is for you. Great for ages 7 through to 10. Some parts are a bit immature and silly, but perfect for this group of young readers. There's a whole series ahead, so make sure you read them all!
January 23, 2018
I was really excited after reading the previous Baron book to read this one and I was not disappointed! A wonderful, imaginative adventure that anyone can enjoy.
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