Jungle Land is a book aimed at a younger audience. This becomes obvious early on, as some of the dialogue involves explaining concepts, giving details about local dishes, and offering translations for short phrases in Spanish. It is a quick read for an adult, with an interesting plot; a grandfather takes his grandson to visit an old friend in a foreign country and things go slightly awry due to some misunderstandings and adventure-minded teens. I thought that the main character, DJ, was very introspective which allowed the character to develop, and also made him a good character for younger readers to relate to. However, I felt that Alejandra, the girl who hung out with DJ, was a very flat character who could have been developed a lot more.

I really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect length for my morning bus ride. It was also a pretty easy read, which is exactly what I need in the morning.

DJ goes on an adventure with his grandfather to Central America. His grandfather is an importer/ exporter with his own plane, they go to see a friend of the grandfather, also an importer/ exporter in the jungle. When Canadian DJ sees the castle, the walls, the armed guards, the servants, he knows he’s not in Ontario anymore. His host brings with him his granddaughter with an overactive imagination, and they really go on an adventure. This is MG book for kids who like Gary Paulson’s Brian books, like Hatchet, or Julie of the Wolves.

This ARC came from Library Thing 7.25.16 Thanks Library Thing! ( )

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Jungle Land" is author Eric Walters's prequel to his "Seven" series (which I've never read) and is recommended for ages 9+. I would personally recommend it for ages 9-12; kids older than that may find it too juvenile for their liking.

13-year-old DJ is always happy to spend time with his grandfather. When Grandpa picks DJ to be the first of his grandchildren to go on an adventure, DJ is thrilled. A seasoned pilot, Grandpa flies the two of them to Central America to visit an old friend. While there, DJ meets Alejandra, granddaughter of Grandpa's friend Juan. Alejandra has a bit of a chip on her shoulder, and she and DJ do not hit it off to begin with. However, when the kids find themselves in a life-threatening situation that requires them to muster their survival skills, the two are forced to work together. With armed men chasing after them, DJ and Alejandra flee through the jaguar-filled jungle and caiman-infested waters in a desperate attempt to get help, all the while not knowing what happened to their respective grandfathers. Will they escape? Will they be shot or eaten by caimans in the process? And what happened to their grandfathers?

For a book of such short length (153 pages of fairly large type - I read the entire book in one sitting), it was packed with lots of action. Although a little slow to start, as soon as the action kicked in, it didn't let up until the very end. What a fun, adventurous book for young readers! ( )

All DJ wanted was to go with his grandfather on a trip. Well, he got that. A pilot with lots of experience, Grampa and DJ head out to see an old friend in Central America. They land and DJ finds that the granddaughter of Juan de Carlo is also visiting and, in DJs eyes, that is so not good. But is mind will change as things move along.

This is a really good YA book which, I will admit, surprised me at the end. Well told in first person by DJ it is the perfect voice for a teen who is alternately scared, awed and caring. ( )