Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve

Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve. Random House,

Reading Level: Middle Grades, Ages 8-10
Recommended For: Ages 8-10

Bottom Line: A rollicking chapter book adventure with missing parents, mysterious islands, and one determined boy.

When Oliver’s parents disappear while exploring a mysterious island, 10-year-old Oliver Crisp doesn’t panic.  He is made of sterner stuff.  After all, the Crisps are explorers, and when Oliver was born, his parents “simply bought themselves a back carrier and an off-road baby carriage and went right on exploring.”

Therefore, rather than panicking, the intrepid Oliver packs a rucksack and sets off in his inflatable dinghy to find his parents.

On his quest, Oliver meets a near-sighted mermaid, an opinionated albatross, and some moving islands —not to mention some very sarcastic seaweed.  Lively illustrations accompany Oliver’s adventures, complimenting a story that will be enjoyed by young readers in search of a high seas adventure.

Cautions: none

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5  

Worldview Rating: 4 out of 5
Artistic Rating: 4 out of 5

Categories: Middle Grades, Alternative Reality, Adventure

Cover image from Amazon