Chasing The Falconers Discussion

[Brendan]

Chasing the Falconers is the first book in the On the Run series. I haven't started it yet, but this is where you can talk about it and share your thoughts!

[Janelle]

I read in in only three poops. Yes, that is the only time I read.

[Matt]

I read it in one babysit night. It was awesome.

[Phil]

For those who know nothing about this series, it's basically like "The Fugitive," except the fugitives are a teen-aged brother and his little sister.

It's really good!

I'm a huge Gordon Korman fan, and this is the first non-comedy book by him that I've read. He does not disappoint.

[Brendan]

I am kind of sad they don't have kindle versions for these. I'll survive though.

[Brendan]

I just bought the whole series for 12 bucks on Ebay, shipping included.

Phil, are Gordon Korman's comedy books also young adult books? What are they like?

[Phil]

He's a really funny author, which is why I was hesitant at first to try his serious/action type stuff. (I shouldn't have been. He's a great author all around.)

The humorous books still hold up. I've read about 15 in the last three or four months, and I actually laughed out loud at many parts (which is kinda funny since I read on the toilet a lot.)

Yes, they are aimed at young adults for the most part, although a few that he's done are more targeted at elementary ages. They're still fun though. If you can still appreciate the humor of books like "Tales From a Fourth Grade Nothing" then even the younger ones should be appealing.

My recommendation to start with (and also my favorite book by Korman) is "I Want to Go Home." Also, the Bruno and Boots series is particularly hilarious. However, we are slated to read these in the Vecchio Book Club eventually, so if you're patient, we'll get to them.

A final note on Korman:
He published his first book at age 12 (The first Bruno and Boots book) and had published a total of five by the time he graduated high school. He was a major inspiration for me to want to be a writer in the first place.

[Brendan]

I got the books yesterday. Haven't started yet, but if anyone is concerned about reading six books, don't be. They are very short.

Phil, do you ready any adult fiction? Just curious.

[Phil]

I do. The book club is focused on stuff targeted at younger readers for two reasons:

1. I wanted to re-read some books I really liked as a kid, and the Hunger Games kinda triggered that nostalgia.

2. With easier/faster-to-read books, we can cover a lot of books relatively quickly.

But, to answer your question about adult fiction, I love Nick Hornby, Ray Bradbury, William Goldman, Gregory McDonald, Frank Peretti, Umberto Eco, Agatha Christie, Jeffery Deaver, Rod Serling, Mario Puzo, and many others.

[Brendan]

I'm just giving you a hard time Phil. So anyways, I started the book, I'm already almost half way done. I like it so far.

Sending 2 innocent kids to a juvenile detention center because they don't know where else to send them? That seems pretty harsh.

[Brendan]

Finished! I really dug it. I can definitely see someone making movies or a mini-series out of these. I'm guessing Hollywood is already scouring the young adult shelves for things to option.

[Phil]

Cool! I'm glad you liked it! Did you finish the whole series, or just the first one?

[Brendan]

I have finished the first two. I made a separate topic for book two.

[Phil]

Cool. Then here's my brief thoughts on the first book:

I had been hesitant, as previously mentioned, because I wasn't sure of Korman's "serious" writing capabilities. However, within a few pages, I could tell I had nothing to worry about. It got my attention right away. It's totally The Fugitive for tweens, and done very well.
I think it gets better as the series progresses, but this was a great start.

Also, I concur: This would make a great series of kid-venture movies.

[Janelle]

Phil wrote: "He's a really funny author, which is why I was hesitant at first to try his serious/action type stuff. (I shouldn't have been. He's a great author all around.)

The humorous books still hold up...."

He published a book at 12? Wow, that explains the whole Zappo thing. This kid had a career during his childhood.

[Janelle]

Seriously if they can make a bunch of Spy Kids movies, than why is this NOT a movie already.