This is another book that is causing a book fight in our home. Ena Jones' debut MG novel, Clayton Stone, At Your Service, is rollicking good fun. I loved the premise of a regular kid discovering that his grandmother is a spy and more, and then getting in on the action. And boy does he get serious action and the best part it is that he drives much of it -- he takes the necessary risks to save people from the bad guys. I also loved that he was just as concerned about letting down his lacrosse team. He misses his parents. He is very human -- a 3-dimensional character. Best of all, the adventure has just begun. There's a second Clayton book that Mrs. Jones is revising :) No, I haven't seen it, and even I did, I wouldn't spill any secrets. And now for some quibbles. I wondered why the present tense narration and the time stamps at the beginning of the chapters. I thought they were completely unnecessary. The writing is clear and there's no confusion at all where we are. But these are really quibbles, nothing that detracts from the enjoyment of a fast-paced adventure of a boy in America today. Well done, Ena!!! To learn more about her, please visit: http://enajones.com/
4 comments:
Why does every fun read for fun-seeking young readers sound like my WIP? Oh, dear. Maybe because these are the fun ones... Clayton Stone is no doubt a good summer book, and I do understand the choice of present tense, (though my WIP is not) as it adds immediacy. I'll check it out when I'm done revising, maybe long after, to make sure I don't accidentally borrow!
I'm still waiting (impatiently) for my book to arrive. Although it was released early, Amazon doesn't seem to know it yet...
Thanks for your review, Vijaya.
I'll have to put this on my 'to read' list, looks like a fun book. Thanks for sharing!
My dear Mirka, I am sure that your WIP is uniquely yours. Funny that I should criticize for present tense when my own contemporary is written like that. I tried putting it into past tense because it is the traditional storyteller's approach, but it went flat. But with a fast-paced book like this, I wondered whether Clayton would actually have time to write, let alone think. LOL.
Barb and Marcia, you will enjoy it immensely.
Post a Comment