The Explorer Gate (Audible Audio Edition) Chris Grabenstein J J Myers Audible Studios Books
Download As PDF : The Explorer Gate (Audible Audio Edition) Chris Grabenstein J J Myers Audible Studios Books
The potentially true and incredibly amazing hidden history of New York City's Central Park
From award-winning middle grades author Chris Grabenstein comes a brand new, fast-paced, fun read for children ages 8 to 108.
Follow the intrepid 12-yeard old Nikki Van Wyck on her fantastic adventure in New York City's Central Park where wildly magical things happen after dark. Nikki will have to use her vast knowledge of the urban oasis in an epic contest to choose the next king for the curiously strange creatures who call Central Park their home.
The Explorer Gate (Audible Audio Edition) Chris Grabenstein J J Myers Audible Studios Books
I have long been a fan of Chris Grabenstein's Jersey Shore books, so I decided to try this YA ebook, and I am loving it. Eleven year old Nicci is missing her mother who died, and does not have much to do with her janitor father who spends a lot of time drinking beer, and on the couch. But she has a legacy from her Mom, a love of Central Park, and an encyclopedic knowledge of what the park contains. She goes to a trivia contest about the park, and so starts the magic and the Crown Quest. For Nicci's journey in the park, she makes human friends, and meets many figures that are quiet in the daytime. The good guys and the bad guys have to win contests in this absolutely delightful tale where all the wonderful statues, and landmarks come to join the quest, and made this particular ex-New Yorker fill with nostalgia and longing for the days she spent playing in the Park. There even are pictures! In the end, to me, this is a love letter to Central Park, and a wonderful product of Mr. Grabenstein's imagination.Product details
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The Explorer Gate (Audible Audio Edition) Chris Grabenstein J J Myers Audible Studios Books Reviews
The Explorer’s Gate
Chris Grabenstein
Open Road Media Teen & Tween
8 out of 10
A lot of modern YA books tend to revolve around romance, with a bit of adventure. That is enjoyable, and there are many stellar examples, but I admit to having grown up reading authors like Elizabeth Enright and E. L. Konigsburg, where the adventure was the primary plot with little or no nod to angst and romance. That was why I was so very pleased with THE EXPLORER’S GATE.
We have a strong female heroine, an amazing setting (I’m biased, having grown up in NYC, and spent many hours lost in Central Park!) and a wonderful plot that made you want to keep reading for hours. I’ve since happily shared the book with younger relatives, but will be poking it towards adult friends as well—it is ageless in who would enjoy it, and that is rare indeed.
There are zillions of fantasy books out there for middle graders, many of which are worth your consideration. Most of them are set in fantastic, alternate, parallel or otherwise invented worlds. Grabenstein, who has established his gritty local flavor credentials as the author of a number of adult Jersey Shore mysteries, opts to set his delightful fantasy almost entirely within the confines of New York City's Central Park.
The book is loaded with true facts and stories about Central Park, but almost everything is tweaked or reinterpreted to serve Grabenstein's complex and immersive fantasy tale. The locations are so authentic that you could call up a Google map of Central Park and follow the action on that as you read. So, you get a nice tension as you move back and forth in this "reality-based fantasy". (You could fairly think of this as similar in effect to something like the movie "A Night at the Museum", but set in Central Park.)
Of course, premise isn't everything. Especially for a middle grade fantasy you have to ask about the protagonists. Here, we have a trio of heroes who have depth, weight and charm. Our narrator/heroine is Nikki Van Wyck. Her Mom has passed away, her janitor Dad is a lost soul, and Nikki, who lives with Dad across from the Park, (near the Explorer's Gate), clings to her Mom's memory by honoring her Mom's love of and interest in Central Park. At a gathering in the Park Nikki finds that the charm she got from her Mom fits in with two other charms, which are owned by Garrett Vanderdonk and his brother, Willem. Garrett is "sweet and huge"; Willem is a little fourth grader, who is very serious about all things Park related. (Here's a sample description and a sample of Nikki's tart but engaging voice "For a fourth grader, the odd little dude was extremely emotional. So I goosed up my perky quotient...".)
I like smart, spirited and resourceful kid heroes, and this book has three top candidates. There is some very funny dialogue and some sly observations and throwaway lines for more advanced readers. We have villains who are creepy/menacing but not terrifying. There is a lot of action and adventure, mostly of the running, hiding, and outsmarting variety.
So, an accomplished and satisfying read with a bit of excitement and a touch of tartness. A nice find.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
Fabulous fiction tale with much nonfiction weaved in. Magical monuments, mystical creatures, ruthlessness, courage, and a love story all weaved into an exciting tale of the history of Central Park and its care takers.
I read this e-book yesterday during a flight across the country. And I'm a "bit" older than middle grade level. Loved the characters, the female protag and how Grabenstein brought the glory of Central Park and the grit of New York to life in a grab and don't let go story chock full of excitement, emotional tug and lots of cheering for the good guys. I'm a big fan of his Ceepak Jersey Shore series and his children's ghost story series that takes place in CT. The Explorer's Gate competes favorably with Rick Riordon's Percy Jackson series in its ability to weave history into current times from a kids' POV. LOVE this book. Download it, you won't regret it.
KIM
I downloaded this "kid-lit" book because I really enjoy Chris Grabenstein's Ceepak mysteries, and thought ir might be worth a quick read. I had no idea how much fun I would have, and how much history I would learn! I almost forgot I am SUPPOSED to be a grown-up! I found myself laughing out loud at the description of the chess pieces in their box, while other parts moved me to tears. This is a story about a very unusual young lady and the adventure she finds herself on as a result of her rather unique family tree. You will want to run, not walk, to Central Park and seek out some of the people and places described. I have visited Central Park several times in my life, but had no idea of the rich history behind it. I dare say the majority of New Yorkers don't, either. Yep, it's both fun and educational; I plan on sending this one as a gift to lots of folks, both young and old! Well worth your time; I would love to see this book published in print along with the photographs.
I have long been a fan of Chris Grabenstein's Jersey Shore books, so I decided to try this YA ebook, and I am loving it. Eleven year old Nicci is missing her mother who died, and does not have much to do with her janitor father who spends a lot of time drinking beer, and on the couch. But she has a legacy from her Mom, a love of Central Park, and an encyclopedic knowledge of what the park contains. She goes to a trivia contest about the park, and so starts the magic and the Crown Quest. For Nicci's journey in the park, she makes human friends, and meets many figures that are quiet in the daytime. The good guys and the bad guys have to win contests in this absolutely delightful tale where all the wonderful statues, and landmarks come to join the quest, and made this particular ex-New Yorker fill with nostalgia and longing for the days she spent playing in the Park. There even are pictures! In the end, to me, this is a love letter to Central Park, and a wonderful product of Mr. Grabenstein's imagination.
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