Bartlett and the City of Flames - Hardcover

Award-winning author Odo Hirsch was born in Australia but now lives in London. His books have been translated into several languages. This is his second Bartlett adventure for Bloomsbury, his first being Bartlett and the Ice Voyage.

Grade 3-6-Well-paced action augmented by quirky characters and exotic settings make this sequel to Bartlett and the Ice Voyage (Bloomsbury, 2003) a fast, enjoyable read. At the onset of their second adventure, Bartlett, Jacques le Grand, and Gozo are captured by two guards from the City of the Sun. When they arrive at the palace, Gozo is mistaken for the Pasha's missing son, Darian, and is taken from his companions. In order to rescue their friend, Bartlett and Jacques must free the true Darian from his captors, the mysterious people from Underground, and return him to his family. But first they must find Underground-if it even exists. Subtle humor and clever obstacles promise to captivate young listeners and entice older readers. Hirsch's characters are simple, somewhat understated, and yet completely lovable. Bartlett's passion for challenge and adventure is contagious, and Jacques's quiet strength and intellect are endearing. Readers will feel compelled to figure out Bartlett's ingenious plans before they are revealed and then will delight in seeing them unfold. Whimsical black-and-white illustrations interspersed throughout the text enhance the lighthearted spirit of the story. A charming, satisfying adventure.
Jenna Gould, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL
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