Man Eater

Extreme Adventures #6

by Justin D'Ath

Sam Fox is at a youth conference in Africa when the bus takes off without him, leaving him stranded. Within minutes he's attacked by an angry elephant and half-blinded by a spitting cobra. A young Masai tells Sam he needs medical attention - fast! But the only way to the hospital is through the Chui Hills. The same hills being terrorized by a ferocious, man-eating leopard...

138 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

One of twelve children, Justin grew up on a farm in Otaki, New Zealand. He wrote his first book, a ten page cartoon about his pet turtle, Bubble, when he was nine years old. His next cartoon was about Moriarty, his guinea pig, and filled a complete exercise book. When he was eleven, Justin began writing his first novel, but conked out after 35 pages.


Justin D’Ath is the author of over 30 books for children and young adults, including the hugely popular Extreme Adventures series. Other books include Astrid Spark, Fixologist, The Skyflower, Robbie and the Dolphins, Infamous, and Why did the Chykkan cross the Galaxy?


Justin says: ‘My main message is, Enjoy reading

Reviews

[Jennie Louwes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely go to an author's profile to read all about them; however, I chose to look up Justin D'Ath and I'm so glad I did! He writes so others will enjoy reading. Simple and yet profound.

To make middle school readers want to read more is no easy feat; especially true, for the most part, when it comes to boys. Mr. D'Ath's "Extreme Adventure" series is a success, in my book, if for no other reason than all four of my children (2 boys and 2 girls) have enjoyed each one of them fully.

If I were rating this series on the author's achievement of making reading enjoyable than each of his books should've been receiving 5 stars from me all along! However, I've reserved the 5 stars for those books that truly do hit a home-run right outta the park.

"Man Eater" was an exceptional middle grade read. It was non-stop danger mixed with altruism; and, it made you feel as though you were in the African bush right alongside of Sam Fox and his fellow protagonist, Olki.

Again, a fight between good and evil ensues. Nothing worth fighting for ever comes easy; never more true than within this "Extreme Adventure" book. The struggle makes the outcome more powerful and meaningful.

This was an easy 5 star rating to give. As a parent, I highly recommend this book as a read aloud by a parent to their middle grade reader(s). Time (well spent) together = Priceless.

Thank you, Mr. D'Ath for this book series; and, "Bravo!", for a job well done.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

You read the first line of the summary Sam Fox is at... (in this case he is in Africa) and you automatically think how do his parents let him go anywhere with that track record of getting into disaster and danger at every turn - of course the same applies here and so another book of adrenaline filled ridiculous action sequences making up the bulk of the plot as Sam saves the day again and faces danger on almost every other page. This is the seventh of the twelve in the series I have read.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The action just jumps off the page for the whole book! This is one of those great 'read aloud to kids' books - remembering that kids should be read to, even up to their mid-teens. All the reputable research evidence points to the fact that simply reading aloud to kids, as an enjoyable experience, is incredibly powerful for all young readers - including struggling readers. Whether read independently or being read to, Justin D'Ath's books are perfect for kids who like action, adventure, exotic locations and animals, and bonding with a character - the always-intrepid, 14 year old Sam Fox. Man Eater simply hums with thrilling action, as Sam is left behind on an African bus journey, and has to fend for himself in a chain of events starting with a baby elephant pestering Sam - with a very over-protective elephant mother 'the size of a dump truck'. Things totally spiral out of control from there, and the reader is swiftly taken along for this very bumpy and enjoyable ride. This is one of the books in the Extreme Adventures series, and is highly recommended.

[Conan Tigard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man-Eater is another fun, fast-paced, Young Reader thriller that will keep the reader totally engrossed in the story until the book has been finished. This time, Sam Fox has left his home in Australia to pay a visit to Africa. Sam finds himself on his own in the wilds of the dark continent with just the shirt on his back, until the elephants rips it off and he doesn't even have that anymore. He keeps stumbling into all kinds of animals that would love nothing better than to pound him into pulp or eat him for dinner.

This book starts off with a bang and never lets up. I love the Extreme Adventures books, but I found this one to be just a little too exciting in the first 50 pages or so. It was just one animal after another. like they were all lines up with the objective of getting Sam Fox. Now, I have never been to Africa, and Sam was on a wildlife refuge, so, there very well could have been all of these terrifying animals about. Although it was quite exciting, I found it to be just a little too much. Sam needed a breather, plus he was doing everything with just one eye!

Justin D'Ath is a master of writing thrilling adventures. Sam finds himself running into just about every kinds of predator there is in Africa. Then, to top it off, the author throws in a man-eating leopard! I did like the fact that Sam teamed up with a local Masai boy named Olki. I found I really enjoyed this character and thought he was a nice addition.

The Extreme Adventures books a precious jems that should not be missed by any adrenaline junkie. I am sure glad that I have never found myself in any of the situations that Sam finds himself in. All of the book in this series are definitely worth reading. Don't pass these books bye.

Overall, Man-Eater is a really great story, but I felt it was a little overloaded with constant action in the first third of the story. It was just a little too much. I will say here and now that I absolutely love this series, every book has contained a wonderful story, and they are all nail-biters. So, pick up one of these books the next time you are in a book store or shopping online so you can follow Sam on one of his many adventures. Next up, Killer Whale. Ohh, I cannot wait!

I rated this book an 8½ out of 10.

[Fawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My family loves these adrenaline filled books! The story is high action and full of wildlife and encounters...to the point of feeling overdone. The likelihood of Sam actually surving everything in the book is so low but it makes for good story telling and reading aloud. I recommend.