Rocket McGee: Avoiding Trouble! by Roan Reedling
Roan writes:
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I give it FOUR STARS out of five. Why so high, you ask? Well, I’m the author. Why not five stars, then? Ah, well! Read on, please!
I enjoy sharing books with bright young kids who are open to the wonder of the world we live in. I pre-read juvenile literature before I share it, of course. That’s my excuse for enjoying juvenile literature (and I’m sticking to it). Heck, that’s how I got into Harry Potter: pre-reading it for my niece just after it crossed the pond. Still, I appreciate a science and technology bent over magical fantasy – even if the technology is quite magical itself. And gifted, as I am, of a bright and shiny niece, I appreciate books that portray young women as strong, smart, and competent leaders. This book, as it turned out, makes the grade for me on both counts, with a good bit of fantastic technology (though nothing groundbreaking) and at least two strong female characters. The boys aren’t bad either.
I think the book has a nice action-adventure storyline too. You may find the line of action somewhat interrupted by development of the world it takes place in, but that often informs later goings-on. Still, sometimes it’s just plain old world-building. I hope you find that understandable, acceptable, and even entertaining in the first book of what’s intended to be a long series. I’m looking forward to the next book myself, and getting back into that world. Here’s a related tip: the book contains ongoing descriptions of Faraway Island. There’s a useful illustration of the island at the Rocket McGee Website to read along with. It can also be accessed through the URL in the book’s front matter.
I recommend you pre-read the book for the kids in your life too. It’s something I learned from my mom. As the book itself points out, quoting George Bernard Shaw, not everyone’s tastes are the same. I expect I’ll warn the parents of kids I want to share this with that the young protagonists in this book go up against bad guys with guns (BGWG) and they get shot at. That’s really the only reason I didn’t give this book five whole stars – the use of firearms as a motive force in the story.
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