Entry Four: Airborn

   There are many reasons why I chose to read "Airborn" by Kenneth Oppel. It was actually a process of several steps. First, I looked up a list of Michael L. Printz Award and went through each year. I knew I didn't want to read a book from earlier than 2000. I don't know why but there's just something about old books that makes me not want to read them. Next, I looked through titles. I also have a little weird thing about titles; I like simple titles rather than long ones and I'm more likely to look into books with short titles than books with long titles. "Airborn", the title is short and as simple as one word. It caught my eye. This lead me to click the link of the book and read the description. I then read about the action and adventure it was filled with. I thought this was a book that suits my personality and I would enjoy reading it. 

    I made a connection with the main character, Matt Cruse. He loved flying and being in the air. He reminded me of how I enjoy the outdoors. I don't go hiking or camping every weekend, and I'm not a Boy Scout or a big outdoorsman, but I do enjoy outdoor activities whenever I do them. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy adventure, exploration, or anyone looking to read a book with a lot of action.

This is my copy of "Airborn". I also liked the simple cover, another small thing that seems like it wouldn't matter but does to me.

Entry Three: Airborn

The first page of this book caught my attention right off the bat. I think Kenneth Oppel made the right decision to write this passage within the first two pages. "The sky pulsed with stars. Some people say it makes them lonesome when they stare up at the night sky. I can't imagine why. There's no shortage of company. By now there's not a constellation I can't name. Orion. Lupus. Serpens. Hercules. Draco. My father taught me all their stories. So when I look up I see a galaxy of adventures and heroes and villains, all jostling together and trying to outdo one another, and I sometimes want to tell them to hush up and not distract me with their chatter. I've glimpsed all the stars ever discovered by astronomers, and plenty that haven't been. There're the planets to look at too, depending on the time of the year. Venus. Mercury. Mars. And don't forget Old Man Moon. I know every crease and pockmark on that face of his (Oppel 1-2)." In this excerpt, Matt is talking about the sky and what it means to him. He has a passion to fly and be in the sky, he knows every constellation and all the planets. It really intrigued me because he talks about adventure which tells me this book is full of action. If you know me, you'd know that I can't get into a book unless it has a lot of action to keep me engaged.

This is a picture of a galaxy, what Matt is talking about.

Entry Two: Airborn

   Matt Cruse helps Kate research about the creature her grandfather discovered and always wants to be flying in the air. Floating in the air makes him feel close to his father who is not alive anymore. Kate wants to find out if the creature her  grandfather discovered is real, and learn more about it. Bruce was forced to work on the Aurora and doesn't enjoy it. He wants to work a different job. Ms. Simkins just wants to know what Kate is doing at all times and wants to keep her safe, she is very over protective. Baz supports Matt and tries to keep the mood light with his sense of humor. Captain Walken wants his passengers to be able to fly safely and keep the ship working. Captain Szpirglas, like most pirates is all about loot.

   Themes beginning to appear are to never give up, and to discover new things. The crew of the Aurora never gave up and kept working hard to keep the Aurora flying, or fix it. Matt and Kate kept trying to learn more about the cloud cat even if they weren't supposed to go out in to the forest, but they ended up discovering the incredible creature that Benjamin Molloy discovered.

These are illustrations of "cloud cats". The strange creature discovered by Benjamin Molloy and researched further and proven real by Matt and Kate.

Entry One: Airborn

   The book I chose to read for my summer reading assignment is "Airborn" by Kenneth Oppel. Matt Cruse is a cabin boy on the Aurora, his father's airship. Kate is the daughter of rich parents and grand daughter of Benjamin Molloy. Benjamim Molloy is the man who discovered a strange creature in the air above an island. Bruce Lunardi is the son of the owner of the Aurora. Ms. Simkins is Kate's overprotective chaperone who watches over her. Baz is a humorous cabin boy aboard the Aurora, also Matt's best friend. Chef Vlad is the cook of the Aurora. Captain Walken is the popular captain of the Aurora. Captain Szpirglas is a pirate of the air above the Pacificus. 

    The setting of Airborn is mostly in the air above the Pacificus and in the future. The mood in this setting is very relaxed and comfortable with the waves and beautiful sunsets. However, when a storm hits,or if the ship is approached by pirates, the mood becomes fearful and desperate. The story also takes place at an island, a tropical paradise due to the rainforest and fresh water and fish and fruit to eat.

    The main conflict is when the Aurora was shipwrecked and the crew got stranded on an island. The ship powered by hydrium, fell due to a hydrium sack that was cut by pirates.

     A prediction I made while reading is that the Aurora won't be fixed for awhile. A question I have is how big is the strange creature Molloy saw? A connection I made came from my childhood. This book reminds me of Madagascar when the zoo animals are stranded on  Madagascar.

This is a picture of an airship, similar to what the Aurora must've looked like.