please see http://karathewriter.blogspot.com/2013/12/guest-post-and-book-reviewjordan-jacobs.html
for author's guest post, images, and full review.
My Comments
Samantha had a bad experience that still has her somewhat nervous and left a bad taste in her mouth for archaeology. So when her Uncle Jay comes to pick her up along with her older brother, Evan, to go to England for another adventurous excavation, Samantha once again gets excited.
Even though Samantha is the main character in the story, I noticed that shes a quiet girl overall and likes to mainly observe. She never complains, she is wise beyond her years, and she LOVES history/reading. This is her first trip to Cambridge University and the campus is rich with tradition as well as historical details. Something that I learned from Samanthas uncle is, just because its tradition doesnt mean it makes sense. Jacobs brilliantly describes England so that its not a history lesson and the surroundings come to life. The language, the accents, the campus, the weather, and the characters all feel authentic.
When they arrive at Wardy Hill, the task at hand the Suttons must discover is: who was first to make use of the place and what they were trying to keep an eye out for.
Even though the story is centered around archaeology, the reader also witnesses Evans first breakup with a girl, the Porter that greets them at their building knows everything about everyone (good source of information), the Suttons meet another father-son family of amateur archaeologists (they are minor characters but serve well within the plot), the boss and owner of the land theyre working in is the Head of the Archaeology Department and is both a bother and a hoot-Lord Professor Cairn Catesby aka The Emperor, and Evan gets involved with a fraternity for archaeology students that cause trouble on campus and are responsible for putting together a regatta in honor of Lord Professors new status. Some of the stunts pulled in this story were amazingly funny, jaw dropping, and even total sabotage!
In the midst of this, Sam seems to have someone following her at odd times and leaving clues that are less than friendly while she tries to learn more about Queen Boudica, the warrior queen. She finds herself involved in the regatta in an honorable fashion beyond what she expected when she agreed to make this trip. Some of my favorite scenes were the descriptions of the rowing as Samantha led them!
I found this book to be more mysterious than suspenseful, it contains Samanthas handwritten notes/drawings in between chapters, and I was pleased at how she responds to any setbacks in the story related to her or the dig site. I found myself cheering her on more than once! Even when the excavation schedule has to be condensed with a quicker schedule than originally expected, Samantha is able to keep pace with friends and foes around her. As much as Uncle Jay is involved with her and Evan, hes dealing with his own world and is only willing to share so much information with his niece during their discoveries. Hes either really dense or hes harboring secrets. There is humor, danger, and interesting twists to be found with these characters and only Samantha is fully aware of what it takes to discover the truth surrounding her. I love that shes not a typical pre teen, she loves learning and doing research is as fun for her as the mischief Evan finds himself in.
When I think of archaeology, two things come to mind: digging and Indiana Jones. Well, theres plenty of digging in the story, but I consider Samanthas story deeper and not looking at her job as a treasure hunt. Any artifacts found on her journey are considered sacred and are serious clues that will preserve Wardy Hill and help Uncle Jay keep his job secure. Indiana Jones remains a beloved character, but I am pleased to have learned so much more about archaeology from the Sutton family. Im grateful for stories like this one that have mischief, madcappery, and monkey business :)
I want to thank the publisher for the review copy provided. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. A special thank you also to the author for the guest post provided.
for author's guest post, images, and full review.
My Comments
Samantha had a bad experience that still has her somewhat nervous and left a bad taste in her mouth for archaeology. So when her Uncle Jay comes to pick her up along with her older brother, Evan, to go to England for another adventurous excavation, Samantha once again gets excited.
Even though Samantha is the main character in the story, I noticed that shes a quiet girl overall and likes to mainly observe. She never complains, she is wise beyond her years, and she LOVES history/reading. This is her first trip to Cambridge University and the campus is rich with tradition as well as historical details. Something that I learned from Samanthas uncle is, just because its tradition doesnt mean it makes sense. Jacobs brilliantly describes England so that its not a history lesson and the surroundings come to life. The language, the accents, the campus, the weather, and the characters all feel authentic.
When they arrive at Wardy Hill, the task at hand the Suttons must discover is: who was first to make use of the place and what they were trying to keep an eye out for.
Even though the story is centered around archaeology, the reader also witnesses Evans first breakup with a girl, the Porter that greets them at their building knows everything about everyone (good source of information), the Suttons meet another father-son family of amateur archaeologists (they are minor characters but serve well within the plot), the boss and owner of the land theyre working in is the Head of the Archaeology Department and is both a bother and a hoot-Lord Professor Cairn Catesby aka The Emperor, and Evan gets involved with a fraternity for archaeology students that cause trouble on campus and are responsible for putting together a regatta in honor of Lord Professors new status. Some of the stunts pulled in this story were amazingly funny, jaw dropping, and even total sabotage!
In the midst of this, Sam seems to have someone following her at odd times and leaving clues that are less than friendly while she tries to learn more about Queen Boudica, the warrior queen. She finds herself involved in the regatta in an honorable fashion beyond what she expected when she agreed to make this trip. Some of my favorite scenes were the descriptions of the rowing as Samantha led them!
I found this book to be more mysterious than suspenseful, it contains Samanthas handwritten notes/drawings in between chapters, and I was pleased at how she responds to any setbacks in the story related to her or the dig site. I found myself cheering her on more than once! Even when the excavation schedule has to be condensed with a quicker schedule than originally expected, Samantha is able to keep pace with friends and foes around her. As much as Uncle Jay is involved with her and Evan, hes dealing with his own world and is only willing to share so much information with his niece during their discoveries. Hes either really dense or hes harboring secrets. There is humor, danger, and interesting twists to be found with these characters and only Samantha is fully aware of what it takes to discover the truth surrounding her. I love that shes not a typical pre teen, she loves learning and doing research is as fun for her as the mischief Evan finds himself in.
When I think of archaeology, two things come to mind: digging and Indiana Jones. Well, theres plenty of digging in the story, but I consider Samanthas story deeper and not looking at her job as a treasure hunt. Any artifacts found on her journey are considered sacred and are serious clues that will preserve Wardy Hill and help Uncle Jay keep his job secure. Indiana Jones remains a beloved character, but I am pleased to have learned so much more about archaeology from the Sutton family. Im grateful for stories like this one that have mischief, madcappery, and monkey business :)
I want to thank the publisher for the review copy provided. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. A special thank you also to the author for the guest post provided.
