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what_katie_read_in_ca's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful journey to the river sea! I loved this book--it reminded me a bit of Katherine Rundell's stories and I've read others by Eva Ibbotson but I especially loved this one.
hatto's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
paul56's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
wanderingstories's review against another edition
4.0
This book of her's is so much better than The Secret of Platform 13.
Eva Ibbotson's detailed imaginative description of the Amazon River and the inhabitants is so lush and vivid. I felt like I was there with Maia and Mrs Minton
Eva Ibbotson's detailed imaginative description of the Amazon River and the inhabitants is so lush and vivid. I felt like I was there with Maia and Mrs Minton
show_no_mercy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Review for future child. Trigger warnings for injury, fire, violence, bullying by family members. I can absolutely see why Emma Carroll's foreword to the 20th anniversary edition was so glowing. This is a great book for any child probably 10+ and I'm not suprised her pupils were so hooked. Obviously there are some questionable choices about describing native Amazonians as 'indians' but overall I think the message of embracing and learning from cultures other than your own is a good one that, while occassionally overtly stated, is also woven through the story. The ending had me on the verge of getting misty eyed with happiness. I love a children's book that respects its audience and Ibbotson definitely does. You can also tell that she had a keen eye for the little quirks that give her characters, even the cartoonishly villainous ones, that spark of life which lifts them off the page. My only tiny complaint is that I wish we'd had a bit more time on the journeys themselves but most of them have brief descriptions and then are skipped over to the next scene where the characters have arrived.
dramagirl2003's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
a childhood favourite of mine. doesn’t quite pack the same satisfaction reading as an adult, but still an amazing book
age rating — 8+
age rating — 8+
thoughts while rereading
p12: slay miss minton 👑 a whole trunk full of books 📚
p153: oh miss minton was the maid that helped bernard , that’s how finn knows her!
p167: i’m not sure i fully picked up on this before, but if the crows no longer care about getting finn then that means he probably could’ve just waited them out and carried on with his expedition after they left
p188: well done everyone, exemplary work. nice touch gifting finn back his dad’s watch
p232: i know what happens, he keels over and dies
p296: SLAY
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
patsmith139's review against another edition
5.0
Would love to read this when I was a girl. I know I would have fallen in love with it. Even now as a more cynical adult I was enchanted and will definitely read more of Eva Ibbotson's books. I was particularly in tune with the main character, Maia, who like me is enthralled by the natural world and new cultures. Also beautifully written with a gripping plot. What more can a good children's book ask for; come to that any book?