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The Adventures of Tempest & Serena
Tempest and Serena Cooper think they are nothing alike. That all changes when Tempest flies off a wild, brave journey to find summer forever, while Serena promises to save her sister's seat on the school bus. As each battles bullies, disasters, and loneliness, they find they're not so different. A suspenseful, charming chapter book adventure for readers ages 7 and up.
- GenresChildrens
136 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 24, 2012
Children's author Marty Mokler Banks has hit a home run with "The Adventures of Tempest & Serena". This new chapter book for kids that is sure to keep them turning the pages...it kept me turning mine. Exciting adventures with Tempest in exotic lands are juxtaposed with Serena's attempts back home to save her sister's seat on the schoolbus. Sprinkle in a little magic and combine that with all of the characters finding ways to overcome their fears and respect their own strengths and qualities and you get a story that is entertaining and compelling. A must-read for boys and girls age 7 and up.
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November 27, 2020A funny, fun read, the Adventure of Tempest and Serena is. I found myself identifying with the characters as I turned the pages. Children author Bank is a great writer.
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March 3, 2021want yo read rhe anventures
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2012
An interesting conundrum. It was well-written, with solid characters, fun episodes, and lessons to be learned, but--I almost had to read this as an adult; there were too many interesting adult-level things going on. I'd definitely give it a try on your chapter-book reader who's bored with Ramona and that ilk but isn't ready for the intensity of a middle-grade yet. It's a gentle book, the equivalent of a Mr. Rogers episode, all sweetness and light on top but a bunch of powerful, subtle things going on underneath.
The two characters, Tempest and Serena, are twin sisters. One, Tempest, is tempestuous; the other, Serena, is shy. On the first day of school, Tempest rebels - she's not going back. Having obtained a magic flashlight, she makes a wish to have a forever summer, sprouts wings, and flies off, leaving behind her sister Serena to cope with all the responsibilities, here represented by having to defend Tempest's empty bus seat, lunch seat, etc., from a school bully.
I think I've been in too many college literature classes to read that straight on. Anytime you see twins, you have to suspect that the characters are really one person, split in two. Or, in this case, perhaps an imaginary friend. Is Tempest real or not? The mom acts like it's not important that Tempest, one of her daughters, is gone. For months. And the way that Serena has to defend the empty places where Tempest isn't, like her lunch seat...it seems like something my daughter would have done, at eight-ish, when she loved an imaginary friend.
In the end, I don't know - some people acted as though Tempest were real; others, not. I think it's not meant to be figured out so much as appreciated. At that age, what's real is what's in front of you, even if it only comes out of your imagination.
Read on a literal level - it seems impossible, and almost sad: the wild sister comes home. I got the sense that she was foolish to go, even though she had such great adventures; she had such a time of it getting back. But - looking at it as though Tempest were an imaginary friend - of course your imaginary friend has to come home; your imagination has to focus on the here-and-now sometimes, too, and it can certainly go haring off whenever it wants to.
I think that what it comes down to is that I'm too old, too adult to be able to judge this through a kids' eyes. Normally, it isn't a problem - I love it when a kids' book takes me away from the adult world. Ahhhh, it's nice to lay all that "adultness" aside. But this? You never get to lay that responsibility aside, so it's not a perfect kids' book for an adult reader - but I can't tell you whether it's a perfect kids' book for a kid. I suspect it is, for the right kind of kid.
The two characters, Tempest and Serena, are twin sisters. One, Tempest, is tempestuous; the other, Serena, is shy. On the first day of school, Tempest rebels - she's not going back. Having obtained a magic flashlight, she makes a wish to have a forever summer, sprouts wings, and flies off, leaving behind her sister Serena to cope with all the responsibilities, here represented by having to defend Tempest's empty bus seat, lunch seat, etc., from a school bully.
I think I've been in too many college literature classes to read that straight on. Anytime you see twins, you have to suspect that the characters are really one person, split in two. Or, in this case, perhaps an imaginary friend. Is Tempest real or not? The mom acts like it's not important that Tempest, one of her daughters, is gone. For months. And the way that Serena has to defend the empty places where Tempest isn't, like her lunch seat...it seems like something my daughter would have done, at eight-ish, when she loved an imaginary friend.
In the end, I don't know - some people acted as though Tempest were real; others, not. I think it's not meant to be figured out so much as appreciated. At that age, what's real is what's in front of you, even if it only comes out of your imagination.
Read on a literal level - it seems impossible, and almost sad: the wild sister comes home. I got the sense that she was foolish to go, even though she had such great adventures; she had such a time of it getting back. But - looking at it as though Tempest were an imaginary friend - of course your imaginary friend has to come home; your imagination has to focus on the here-and-now sometimes, too, and it can certainly go haring off whenever it wants to.
I think that what it comes down to is that I'm too old, too adult to be able to judge this through a kids' eyes. Normally, it isn't a problem - I love it when a kids' book takes me away from the adult world. Ahhhh, it's nice to lay all that "adultness" aside. But this? You never get to lay that responsibility aside, so it's not a perfect kids' book for an adult reader - but I can't tell you whether it's a perfect kids' book for a kid. I suspect it is, for the right kind of kid.
September 10, 2012
Tempest and Serena are twins. One searches for adventure while the other is content to go to school. After receiving magic batteries for her flashlight, Tempest takes off for a warmer climate far away from the drudgery of school. Serena stays behind and promises to save Tempest her seat on the school bus that she rides every day. Tempest sends messages to her sister as she travels to the far corners of the world, using her magic batteries while Serena fends off a bossy schoolmate determined to take Tempest’s seat on the school bus.
The story has great twists and turns as the sisters discover themselves and is a delightful read for children and parents helping young readers explore new worlds.
The story has great twists and turns as the sisters discover themselves and is a delightful read for children and parents helping young readers explore new worlds.
January 4, 2013
Delightful children's book! This is a wonderful story that held my son's attention! Every child (and parent) can relate to the challenges and the mixed emotions the twins encounter. The story explores many feelings, providing parents with an opportunity to discuss them with their child. I highly recommend this book!
February 4, 2013
I got this book to read out loud with my niece. We just finished it and we both loved it. She loved the sister/friends drama and also the parts about Hong Kong and the horse race. And the "hairy eyeballs" of the lady down the street--that part made her laugh out loud. This is now tops on my list for elementary girls' birthday presents.
December 31, 2012
This is a wonderful story that held my son's attention! Every child (and parent) can relate to the challenges and the mixed emotions the twins encounter. The story explores many feelings, providing parents with an opportunity to discuss them with their child. I highly recommend this book!
February 24, 2013
It seems sweet and simple but is very powerful--and yet easy to read. Loved how it touched on some big stuff, like loyalty, bullies and hope. Also really interesting to see where the adventurous sister went on her journeys. Inventive and fast-paced.
April 12, 2013
Both our boy and girl loved this--begged for more before bed each night. Our oldest then read it on her own once we'd finished reading it as a family. A real adventure.
September 17, 2012
Nice read for 3rd,4th and 5th grade girls.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews