Operation Red Jericho

As promising as the book cover looked, the plot didn't nearly convince me as much of the story. The characters felt archetypal, sometimes unrealistic and not very well-developed. The turning point was especially disappointing, as the author was unable to introduce the battle in any convincing way. The reason for the book to receive three stars by me was its layout, the fantastic cover and the way it was structured with all those additional information on the ship etc. Even though the book looked like a journal, the author soon gave up on the idea to write it as one, in the beginning switching from journal entries to narrative chapters before totally concentrating on the narrative parts.

The beginning was well-executed and would even have show more convinced me to read the second installment, but the ending egalized that opinion and left me very disappointed. The positive thing about it is that it looks absolutely stunning. show less

A book in the grand tradition of 'Boy's Own Adventures', filled with secret societies, kidnappings, submarines, and mysterious disappearances - and, of course two intrepid children, whose parents have gone missing in the wilds of China. Characters are somewhat stock: the technologically inclined boy, a feisty tomboyish sister (with amazingly short hair, from the pictures), Captain Nemo for an uncle, twin junior assassins, the evil pirate villain, the slimy betrayer. Good (and an unambitious one at that) of course triumphs, but the real villain gets away. That, complete with a coming typhoon sets up an obvious sequel. This admittedly doesn't bring much depth to the story: what does help, however, is the added ephemera, all supposedly show more from said society's archives. I have a liking for books with this kind of additions: [book: Lyra's Oxford] come to mind, even though this is much more direct and less mysterious. The author/illustrator did an excellent job here, although his technical skill is not quite believable for a child of 12 or so. I won't work hard to find the sequels but should I come across them, I won't hesitate to dive back in for an hour or so. show less

Touches of realia make this suspenseful story even more intriguing and include illustrations, side bars, and archival documents. Follow a brother and sister duo as they become embroiled in a confidential mission while aboard their uncle’s ship after their parents go missing on a South Seas expedition during the 1920s. Full of intrigue, this novel also highlights some of the unschooler tendencies of interest-led learning focused on an individual’s passions and interests. Readers eleven and up may “pore over the details in this novel; others will simply appreciate the comic adventure” according to School Library Journal. --SJ Cournoyer

Rebecca and Douglas MacKenzie’s parents have disappeared on a expedition in China, and so the brother and sister are sent to stay with their uncle on his ship The Expedient. It is the 1920s and while on board, the siblings discover that their uncle and parents are part of a secret society called the Honorable Guild. After disobeying their guardian, Becca and Doug are set off the ship in China, and then they end up in the middle of a battle between Chinese pirates and ancient martial-art warriors as they fight for a mysterious chemical weapon called “Daughter of the Sun”.p.36-40 up too “parents think” Becca and Doug meet their uncle and Duchess.

From the moment you see the cover of this book, you are drawn in to the story. From the cloth cover of the book, bound with an elastic band to the detailed fold out maps and illustrations inside the book you find yourself drawn into the world of the 1920's and the desperate search for "Daughter of the Sun". The girl in this books is smart, and not afraid to face dangerous situations. The boys and men are portrayed as intelligent, eager, and brave who face situations head on. There are no stereotypes of the sexes in this book, which makes it a huge plus for me! In some ways, this book reminds me of a "DaVinci Code" for children.

Another interesting book about two teens who stumble across some secrets that they weren't meant to find and soon are mixed into something much bigger than they are. This is spooky at some points, fast-paced, exciting and action packed.
This book took me a while to get in to but when I did I couldn't get out! This is a pretty good book and it is the first book of a series, though I haven't read the other books - yet.

In April of 1920, after their parents go missing while journeying through a dangerous part of western China, Becca and Doug Mackenzie move from India to live with their uncle aboard the ship Expiedent, currently docked in Shanghai. Told in narrative frequently punctuated by Becca’s diary entries and Doug’s sketches, Operation Red Jericho details the adolescents’ adventures as they uncover the mysteries surrounding an explosive substance called Daughter of the Sun and its possible connections to their parents’ disappearance. From Chinese pirates and Bengal tigers to explosive sea battles and a secret organization called the Honourable Guild of Specialists, Becca and Doug’s adventures will keep you on the edge of the seat. show more

Middle school and high school students will enjoy the full-color fold-out maps and illustrations, as well as Becca and Doug’s personal writings and drawings. The book even includes a built-in bookmark to keep track of where you are in the siblings’ journey. show less