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Intrepids
Katie Mah was your average Asian American kid living an average life, going to an average school, getting average grades in an average town in the dull suburbs of Southern California. Katie was subjected to all kinds of average unpleasant experiences of growing up. During a fateful 6th grade science camp trip to the mountains, her average life was so unbearable, she ran away and landed herself into a lot of trouble, not on Earth, but on Alpha Centauri. There she befriends the centaurs who desperately need her help.
168 pages, Hardcover
Published September 24, 2019
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January 28, 2022I received “Intrepids” by Diana Huang for Multicultural Children’s Book day 2022.
I am a children’s literature scholar, and before that, I was a middle school ELA teacher. As a result, I am very familiar with middle grade literature. As a teacher, I was constantly seeking out middle grade literature for my classroom, and especially sought out diverse texts, so I was excited to participate in Multicultural Children’s Book day this year, and doubly so to be given a middle grade book!
Let me begin by saying how much I love a portal fantasy story! And unlike so many portal fantasies, this book jumps right into the alternative world in the early parts of the book – no waiting around for things to happen. Katie’s adventures are fast paced and exciting, and there are almost no sections that drag throughout the story. Huang writes with great descriptions, and it was easy for me to imagine exactly what was happening.
There were, however, a few elements that I felt detracted from the story. I think the main complaint I have is that there is a great deal of named characters in the story. Some names were also very similar to one another (for example, there is one character named Eta, and another named Petal, and they are both the same type of character). As a result, it was difficult for me to remember some of the characters and who they were; also, because there were so many characters, not many of them were fully fleshed out and round characters. I would imagine having so many characters would similarly be difficult for middle grade readers in these regards, but this issue didn’t affect my understanding of the story, it’s just me nitpicking.
Ultimately, the story just didn’t hit the right notes for me. It felt oddly paced, to the point where I could swear my book copy was missing pages. However, my biggest issue with the book, as both a children’s literature scholar and as a person working in the education system, was the end of the book. The big lessons that Katie is led to weren’t realistic, and they didn’t support a keystone of children’s literature, which is that characters should grow and learn. When all is said and done, I’m not sure that Katie really grew during the book, nor am I sure that she learned anything. That being said, I am not the target reader for this book, and I do not think that middle grade readers would be half as critical about the learning and growing things as I’m being. I think that the average middle grader would enjoy this story. #ReadYourWorld
I am a children’s literature scholar, and before that, I was a middle school ELA teacher. As a result, I am very familiar with middle grade literature. As a teacher, I was constantly seeking out middle grade literature for my classroom, and especially sought out diverse texts, so I was excited to participate in Multicultural Children’s Book day this year, and doubly so to be given a middle grade book!
Let me begin by saying how much I love a portal fantasy story! And unlike so many portal fantasies, this book jumps right into the alternative world in the early parts of the book – no waiting around for things to happen. Katie’s adventures are fast paced and exciting, and there are almost no sections that drag throughout the story. Huang writes with great descriptions, and it was easy for me to imagine exactly what was happening.
There were, however, a few elements that I felt detracted from the story. I think the main complaint I have is that there is a great deal of named characters in the story. Some names were also very similar to one another (for example, there is one character named Eta, and another named Petal, and they are both the same type of character). As a result, it was difficult for me to remember some of the characters and who they were; also, because there were so many characters, not many of them were fully fleshed out and round characters. I would imagine having so many characters would similarly be difficult for middle grade readers in these regards, but this issue didn’t affect my understanding of the story, it’s just me nitpicking.
Ultimately, the story just didn’t hit the right notes for me. It felt oddly paced, to the point where I could swear my book copy was missing pages. However, my biggest issue with the book, as both a children’s literature scholar and as a person working in the education system, was the end of the book. The big lessons that Katie is led to weren’t realistic, and they didn’t support a keystone of children’s literature, which is that characters should grow and learn. When all is said and done, I’m not sure that Katie really grew during the book, nor am I sure that she learned anything. That being said, I am not the target reader for this book, and I do not think that middle grade readers would be half as critical about the learning and growing things as I’m being. I think that the average middle grader would enjoy this story. #ReadYourWorld
January 31, 2020
Sixth-grader Katie Mah considers herself a typical Asian-American girl, and she doesn't understand why her classmates bully her for behavior normal in her culture. While on a class field trip, Katie runs away from her bullies and ends up traveling through a portal in the space/time continuum to Alpha Centauri. When Katie is rescued by a centaur and taken back to the herd, she realizes the knowledge contained in her solar-powered computer tablet may help save the centaurs from their enemy. But in helping the centaurs, Katie will change their world, and the cost may be more than she can handle.
Huang, author of The Elemental Horses series, discusses bullying, friendship, and being different through the lens of a children's science fiction/fantasy adventure.
#ReadYourWorld
Huang, author of The Elemental Horses series, discusses bullying, friendship, and being different through the lens of a children's science fiction/fantasy adventure.
#ReadYourWorld
January 28, 2021
My 4th year participating in Multicultural Children’s Book day. #ReadYourWorld.
I enjoyed "Intrepids" more than I thought I would. I'm not much, if any, of a sci-fi reader and so when I received this book I was a little concerned it just wouldn't be the right fit for me. However, Katie, the main character/protagonist, I really "got". I think this middle grade story does a great job of presenting themes such as bullying, finding yourself, confidence building, and racial/ethnic discrimination. Katie is a US citizen, but due to her Asian background/upbringing she is discriminated against.
The story opens with Katie at a science camp in the summer. She is clearly being bullied by the other campers. I appreciated the author's honesty in writing about specific "tween" situations that all of us have likely experienced: not fitting in, the dreaded "showering" in front of others, body image issues, and also just dealing with kids who are jerks. She also shares that she struggles with academics and her parents don't seem to be understanding of this. Very early on Katie runs from campers who are bullying her. She runs into the woods and when she feels it is safe to rest she sits down and eats an apple. This apple is magical and transports her to another planet. On this planet she meets centaurs who are fighting the dreaded gowels (I envisioned a snake like creature). The gowels are taking over the planet and controlling other "beings" all very mythical aka centaurs, dragon like creatures, and flops, by biting them and releasing phenom which then turns them into the gowel's slaves. Katie is a true leader throughout the story and the animals/beings really look to her for education, information, guidance, and this then allows her to grow confidence in herself.
I struggled with the ending of the book. Katie makes it back to earth by finding the tree with magical apples and eating another one. However, there is no closure with any of the "camp" issues that are introduced at the beginning. It was a very quick read and the sci-fi was fine. I know the author is a talented artist and so think her drawings could have added to this story. Three star read for me.
I enjoyed "Intrepids" more than I thought I would. I'm not much, if any, of a sci-fi reader and so when I received this book I was a little concerned it just wouldn't be the right fit for me. However, Katie, the main character/protagonist, I really "got". I think this middle grade story does a great job of presenting themes such as bullying, finding yourself, confidence building, and racial/ethnic discrimination. Katie is a US citizen, but due to her Asian background/upbringing she is discriminated against.
The story opens with Katie at a science camp in the summer. She is clearly being bullied by the other campers. I appreciated the author's honesty in writing about specific "tween" situations that all of us have likely experienced: not fitting in, the dreaded "showering" in front of others, body image issues, and also just dealing with kids who are jerks. She also shares that she struggles with academics and her parents don't seem to be understanding of this. Very early on Katie runs from campers who are bullying her. She runs into the woods and when she feels it is safe to rest she sits down and eats an apple. This apple is magical and transports her to another planet. On this planet she meets centaurs who are fighting the dreaded gowels (I envisioned a snake like creature). The gowels are taking over the planet and controlling other "beings" all very mythical aka centaurs, dragon like creatures, and flops, by biting them and releasing phenom which then turns them into the gowel's slaves. Katie is a true leader throughout the story and the animals/beings really look to her for education, information, guidance, and this then allows her to grow confidence in herself.
I struggled with the ending of the book. Katie makes it back to earth by finding the tree with magical apples and eating another one. However, there is no closure with any of the "camp" issues that are introduced at the beginning. It was a very quick read and the sci-fi was fine. I know the author is a talented artist and so think her drawings could have added to this story. Three star read for me.
February 1, 2021
This story contains adventure, friendship, the struggle of being different (especially in middle school), and the excitement and uncertainty of finding a whole new world. Katie’s “averageness” makes her a very relatable character, and someone that the reader is rooting for throughout the story. Intrepids is a science fiction fantasy story that makes you want to keep reading to find out what will happen with Katie next. #readyourworld
February 20, 2020
As posted on my blog, Descendant of Poseidon Reads
Intrepids is one of those books I wish I had read back when I’m still a kid. It is quite a good storytelling that talks about the main character as she improves and sees things on her own with the realization of how things work. Katie (the protagonist) has learned all of it outside her planet (well, she snapped out of her world just by eating that apple). She comes to adapt easily to a strange place that later becomes her happiness and at the same time responsibility and exposure to some sad truth of violence and war and conflict.
Occasionally, this book tells the culture Katie has. She is a born citizen in the U.S. but has the blood of Chinese. She is accustomed to her Chinese culture rather than where she is currently living. A problem she usually gets and bullied just because of her physical and cultural traits. As for the cause of her being an outcast. But then, she unexpectedly found the place that doesn’t talk about her looks and the things that make her uncomfortable. Later on, she has blended pretty well to this strange place and has her first friend, Zeba and a lot more.
A fascinatingly cute and easy-going story. I like how Katie’s journey concluded even that is somewhat predictable and right. I just hope and suggest that this could still be refined since I did see minor typo errors. But all along I enjoy this book and close to imagining just like the Spirited Away movie. Kind of they both has familiar scenes though honestly, I’m a big fan of the movie.
Intrepids is one of those books I wish I had read back when I’m still a kid. It is quite a good storytelling that talks about the main character as she improves and sees things on her own with the realization of how things work. Katie (the protagonist) has learned all of it outside her planet (well, she snapped out of her world just by eating that apple). She comes to adapt easily to a strange place that later becomes her happiness and at the same time responsibility and exposure to some sad truth of violence and war and conflict.
Occasionally, this book tells the culture Katie has. She is a born citizen in the U.S. but has the blood of Chinese. She is accustomed to her Chinese culture rather than where she is currently living. A problem she usually gets and bullied just because of her physical and cultural traits. As for the cause of her being an outcast. But then, she unexpectedly found the place that doesn’t talk about her looks and the things that make her uncomfortable. Later on, she has blended pretty well to this strange place and has her first friend, Zeba and a lot more.
A fascinatingly cute and easy-going story. I like how Katie’s journey concluded even that is somewhat predictable and right. I just hope and suggest that this could still be refined since I did see minor typo errors. But all along I enjoy this book and close to imagining just like the Spirited Away movie. Kind of they both has familiar scenes though honestly, I’m a big fan of the movie.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews