Nathaniel Fludd Beastologist: Flight of the Phoenix by R. L. Lafevers and Illustrated by Kelly Murphy

This series novel was enjoyable. The story was fast pace and simple. The adventure the protagonist goes on will only make children want to read the next book. The book is definitely intended to go on as it doesn’t quite end.

Although the fast paced adventure will be loved by students I found the book’s quality somewhat lacking. Lafevers does not use much descriptive language or many sensory details. As with other novel writers she does not paint pictures with her words. Lafevers does a good job of drawing readers into her story she does not do a good job of using descriptive language to totally make her world of beastologist believable. Although Lowery does a great job of making her world logical and thinking through all the details to make it realistic where Lafevers’s story is too rushed to create a complete world.

I would allow this book on my shelf as a free read but only for third and forth graders. The language and literary skills are too simplistic for upper grades. I would not read this book aloud as I do not find this novel as well written as others.

Published: 2009