by Dave Eggers
Flap Copy Description:
When Gran and his family move to Carousel, he has no idea that the town is built atop a secret. Little does he suspect, as he walks his sister to school or casually eats a banana, that mysterious forces lurk mere inches beneath his feet, tearing up the earth like mini-hurricanes and causing the town to slowly but surely sink.
When Gran's friend, the difficult-to-impress Catalina Catalan, presses a silver handle into a hillside and opens a doorway to underground, he knows that she is extraordinary and brave, and that he will have no choice but to follow wherever she leads. With luck on their side, and some discarded hockey sticks for good measure, Gran and Catalina might just find a way to lift their town--and the known world--out of danger.
In The Lifters, critically acclaimed author Dave Eggers establishes himself as a storyteller who can entertain and inspire readers of any age.
My Thoughts:
At first glance The Lifters looks like a light-hearted middle grade read...Wrong! This chapter book is fantastic on many levels - primarily for budding or reluctant readers. Here's a list of features that make the well-written and engaging story by Dave Eggers a winner:
*It is super funny!
*Quirky characters
*Short chapters
*Large font
*Small pencil illustrations on about half of the pages
*A map inside the flap cover (viewable when it's removed) - so cool!
*Most importantly: It's a fantastic story!
While it may seem that this book is not challenging enough for an avid reader, that's not the case. Due to the great character development, satirical humor, and puzzling plot, it's complex enough for all readers. I highly recommend The Lifters to readers aged seven to twelve.
Click here to learn about the award-winning author Dave Eggers.
