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Puddlejumpers
Ernie Banks, named for the legendary Chicago Cub shortstop, is a troubled, 13-year-old juvenile delinquent. Abandoned on the doorstep of the Lakeside Home for Boys when he was three years old, he's now considered a “lifer,” a permanent ward of the state. His only proof that he once belonged to somebody is a vintage Ernie Banks baseball card, a crystal acorn he wears on a string around his neck, and a strange spiral birthmark on the bottom of his right foot.
As a last reprieve before being sent to a juvenile detention facility, Ernie is allowed to spend three weeks on a working farm. When Ernie arrives at the home of Russ Frazier, he learns that the widower's baby was kidnapped years before. The single piece of evidence was a red quilt found in a puddle in the nearby woods. Fascinated by the town's famous “Quilt Baby” kidnapping, Ernie is determined to solve the case. He teams up with Joey, a local tomboy, to investigate clues that lead them on a dangerous journey into a forbidden world of dark secrets, magic puddles, and the cavernous underground kingdom of the Puddlejumpers-- eleven-inch tall water creatures with whom Ernie has a mysterious connection.
When destiny summons, Ernie must find the courage to save the Puddlejumpers from the Most Dark and lead them in battle against their mortal enemies. Only then can he find his way home.
As a last reprieve before being sent to a juvenile detention facility, Ernie is allowed to spend three weeks on a working farm. When Ernie arrives at the home of Russ Frazier, he learns that the widower's baby was kidnapped years before. The single piece of evidence was a red quilt found in a puddle in the nearby woods. Fascinated by the town's famous “Quilt Baby” kidnapping, Ernie is determined to solve the case. He teams up with Joey, a local tomboy, to investigate clues that lead them on a dangerous journey into a forbidden world of dark secrets, magic puddles, and the cavernous underground kingdom of the Puddlejumpers-- eleven-inch tall water creatures with whom Ernie has a mysterious connection.
When destiny summons, Ernie must find the courage to save the Puddlejumpers from the Most Dark and lead them in battle against their mortal enemies. Only then can he find his way home.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2008
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540 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
February 15, 2011
2.5
This is a cute little middle-grade story which doesn't quite cross age-barriers, but which I think people of the age it's written for would probably love. It reminded me, in some ways and at some times, of Ferngully, which I loved as a child - though it's not so similar to seem derivative.
But the story's a bit twee at times and, at times, I find the action hard to follow. One second they'd be over doing one thing, and then, all of a sudden, over there doing something else. There was a lot of this jumping around, especially when the Puddlejumpers were directly involved in the story, but it wasn't so bad that I wasn't generally able to figure out where I was.
It doesn't break any ground, and it's pretty predictable for those who know these types of stories, but, still, a decent enough read and, again, something I think the younger-types would enjoy a good deal more.
This is a cute little middle-grade story which doesn't quite cross age-barriers, but which I think people of the age it's written for would probably love. It reminded me, in some ways and at some times, of Ferngully, which I loved as a child - though it's not so similar to seem derivative.
But the story's a bit twee at times and, at times, I find the action hard to follow. One second they'd be over doing one thing, and then, all of a sudden, over there doing something else. There was a lot of this jumping around, especially when the Puddlejumpers were directly involved in the story, but it wasn't so bad that I wasn't generally able to figure out where I was.
It doesn't break any ground, and it's pretty predictable for those who know these types of stories, but, still, a decent enough read and, again, something I think the younger-types would enjoy a good deal more.
November 9, 2008
Synopsis
: Who is Ernie Banks? He thinks he's an orphan roughing it out in the Lakeside School for boys. However, what he truly is, is something much more vital, powerful and mysterious. He is magical and the survival of the Puddlejumpers (along with the rest of humanity) depends on him recalling all that they've lovingly shown him.
Review : “Whoodeewhoooo!” This is the story of young orphan Ernie Banks deposited thirteen years earlier at the Lakeside School for Boys with nothing but a Chicago cubs baseball card (courtesy of the trucker that found him alongside the road) and a beautifully crafted, crystal acorn necklace (courtesy of the Puddlejumpers). Ernie is unconsciously connected to a mythical, magical underground world that he cannot recall. The mystery of his arrival, his magical childhood, his kidnapping, his family all becomes one gigantic, well-written, thrilling adventure that unfolds the moment he steps off the bus into the small, dirt road town known as Circle.
Critical Reviews :One Reader announced, "Brilliantly written and conceived, it's full of kidnappings, rescues, daredevil escapes, evil Troggs, Red Grunts and indomitable Puddlejumpers, with a fantastic new and complex young protagonist, Ernie Banks".Another adds, "If you can read the opening chapter of PUDDLEJUMPERS and fail to be compelled to continue, sign up at the nearest "I Wouldn't Know Quality Literature If It Hit Me In The Face seminar!". Yep, that about sums it up.
Review : “Whoodeewhoooo!” This is the story of young orphan Ernie Banks deposited thirteen years earlier at the Lakeside School for Boys with nothing but a Chicago cubs baseball card (courtesy of the trucker that found him alongside the road) and a beautifully crafted, crystal acorn necklace (courtesy of the Puddlejumpers). Ernie is unconsciously connected to a mythical, magical underground world that he cannot recall. The mystery of his arrival, his magical childhood, his kidnapping, his family all becomes one gigantic, well-written, thrilling adventure that unfolds the moment he steps off the bus into the small, dirt road town known as Circle.
Critical Reviews :One Reader announced, "Brilliantly written and conceived, it's full of kidnappings, rescues, daredevil escapes, evil Troggs, Red Grunts and indomitable Puddlejumpers, with a fantastic new and complex young protagonist, Ernie Banks".Another adds, "If you can read the opening chapter of PUDDLEJUMPERS and fail to be compelled to continue, sign up at the nearest "I Wouldn't Know Quality Literature If It Hit Me In The Face seminar!". Yep, that about sums it up.
November 14, 2008
The first 3/4 of the book were intriguing and exciting, but the big battle scene felt really flat. I think the battle would have worked in a film, but in a book it was a bit hard to follow and anti-climactic.
November 16, 2009
I'm not gonna lie. I didn't love this book. If I had to give it a rating based on just what I thought about it, it'd get a big, fat, 1. But I have issues with talking rocks. This is the second fantasy book I've read recently that involved a talking rock (the other was Tamora Pierce's Melting Stones), and for some reason that is a plot element that just shuts me down. I thought the evil neighbors that were actually monsters were a bit ridiculous as well. So it wasn't a fantasy book for me, but I do think it is a fantasy book that will have wide appeal.
Puddlejumpers are elf like creatures that live beneath the earth's surface in wonderful water filled landscapes. They love water and live to protect mother nature (the talking rock). But they have enemies. The trogs--stinky smelly creatures that hate water and want to enslave the puddlejumpers and make the entire earth a scorching wasteland. And then there's 13 year old Erine Banks--an orphan left on the steps of the Lakeview home for boys when he was 3 with just a baseball card that gave him his name and a crystal acorn tied around his neck.
The book is written with a strong storytelling voice that lends its self well to reading aloud and the story in general has a cinematic quality to it. Ernie Banks, the baseball and mischief loving orphan adds boy appeal. Puddlejumpers was on VOYAs Top Shelf list last year, and while it didn't make my list of favs, I can see why others might like it.
Puddlejumpers are elf like creatures that live beneath the earth's surface in wonderful water filled landscapes. They love water and live to protect mother nature (the talking rock). But they have enemies. The trogs--stinky smelly creatures that hate water and want to enslave the puddlejumpers and make the entire earth a scorching wasteland. And then there's 13 year old Erine Banks--an orphan left on the steps of the Lakeview home for boys when he was 3 with just a baseball card that gave him his name and a crystal acorn tied around his neck.
The book is written with a strong storytelling voice that lends its self well to reading aloud and the story in general has a cinematic quality to it. Ernie Banks, the baseball and mischief loving orphan adds boy appeal. Puddlejumpers was on VOYAs Top Shelf list last year, and while it didn't make my list of favs, I can see why others might like it.
August 26, 2010
Puddlejumpers by Mark Jean and Christopher Carlson. This was in the teen section at my library. I personally feel they should re-shelve in the middle grade area. It’s solidly for 9-12 year olds. The main character grows up in an orphanage. There is a sub-plot here that we go through and the main overall theme is revealed later. I will say the plot did have some complexities but I stick with my younger age group for this book. This story was well put together, moved quickly and kept me reading. In the end, the main character, Ernie has to join with the puddlejumpers to save the town. You wind up being a silent observer who’s cheering Ernie on the whole way.
January 19, 2011
This was a cute, sweet book, more oriented for kids I think. The hero is a 13 year old orphan who gets sent to live in a farm for 3 weeks when he gets in trouble with the law. During his time at the farm he manages to solve the case of the missing Quilt Baby who was kidnapped from the farm years ago & thus figuring out his own life story & his history with the adorable little creatures called Puddlejumpers.
July 31, 2011
This books overall plot was just really weird. Pretty much the only reason I read it was to see how Russ found out that "Ernie" was his son, Shawn Frazier. Little elves stealing a baby and calling him their rainmaker. I don't actually see what was so special about him considering that he wasn't above and beyond anybody else in the story. Any elf could have thrown the crystal acorn, which was a pretty stupid idea in my opinion, into the live furnace.
February 2, 2012
I picked this book up while browsing at the library, and I definitely enjoyed reading it. What I liked better though was reading this book to my three siblings who also enjoyed it. I think this book is more interesting read out loud then to yourself. I especially liked how the story line/plot worked itself out so neatly. I highly recommend this book for about 8-12 year olds.
August 7, 2009
If you liked Lord of the Rings, you love this one. A world of 12-inch high Puddlejumpers looking for their Rainmaker" to bring the rains back to a drought-stricken world. Is the troubled orphan, Ernie Banks, the real Rainmaker? A great full-scale battle at the end of the book!
October 15, 2015
LOVED IT! SUPER GOOOD! WELL WRITTEN! SO MANY SECRETS NEEDING TO BE HEARD!
May 9, 2019
My name is Ernie Banks, although I don't remember my life before the orphanage. I have dreams of twelve-inch creatures and running from giant, hairy monsters, but that's just weird. I have a strange thirst for milk, and I feel a connection to water. Again, weird. I must admit I've been an ornery orphan, and no parents will adopt me. The director hates me and has threatened to send me to juvie. My last chance to avoid jail is spending three weeks on a farm. I'm not sure what to expect, but it will be nice to leave the orphanage for awhile. However, I've discovered an unsolved mystery concerning the farmer's son that no one wants to talk about, and the farmer may lose his farm to some bullies. I hate bullies, and I'm going to do something about it!
This book reminded me of a former student's story about creatures living in fingerprints, as the Puddlejumpers used puddles as gateways to reach their home. That's pretty imaginative. For me, the book broke into three parts. The first was about the young son until the age of three, the second was life at the orphanage, and the third was a return to the farm. All three parts were cohesive and told a compelling story. The most interesting aspects of everything were the Puddlejumpers' dilemma concerning water and their conflict with the Troggs. The Troggs hated water, and the Puddlejumpers needed to groom a new Rainmaker to save their world. The contrast in the two battling groups was distinct as one side was only about a foot tall, while the other stood about eight feet. Didn't seem like a fair fight, except the smaller characters could use "squirt guns" for defense. The farmer and his town were kind of caught in the middle but had no idea of what was going on. Ernie was the main character and should evoke empathy in readers. He was preordained to become a hero only to find himself needing to persevere through a troubled childhood. All the while, Ernie had no memory of his past and no inkling about the significance of his future. In all, this book shared a creative adventure, and I think you might enjoy it.
This book reminded me of a former student's story about creatures living in fingerprints, as the Puddlejumpers used puddles as gateways to reach their home. That's pretty imaginative. For me, the book broke into three parts. The first was about the young son until the age of three, the second was life at the orphanage, and the third was a return to the farm. All three parts were cohesive and told a compelling story. The most interesting aspects of everything were the Puddlejumpers' dilemma concerning water and their conflict with the Troggs. The Troggs hated water, and the Puddlejumpers needed to groom a new Rainmaker to save their world. The contrast in the two battling groups was distinct as one side was only about a foot tall, while the other stood about eight feet. Didn't seem like a fair fight, except the smaller characters could use "squirt guns" for defense. The farmer and his town were kind of caught in the middle but had no idea of what was going on. Ernie was the main character and should evoke empathy in readers. He was preordained to become a hero only to find himself needing to persevere through a troubled childhood. All the while, Ernie had no memory of his past and no inkling about the significance of his future. In all, this book shared a creative adventure, and I think you might enjoy it.
September 16, 2018
Es una historia muy linda que te sorprenderá mucho. Este libro no se si está en español pero si sabes inglés definitivamente deberías darle una oportunidad ya que muy probablemente te va a gustar. Es una historia muy linda de un chico llamado Ernie Banks que está en un hogar para niños pero ya tiene trece años y no han encontrado un hogar para él. Es un niño problema con una extraña historia. Cuando es dejado en el hogar para niños lo único q lleva con él es una bellota de cristal que tiene una historia de la cual él no se acuerda. Pequeños signos de su pasado empiezan a salir a la luz pero no son suficiente para que el descubra su pasado. Como una última oportunidad antes de ser enviado a una prisión juvenil, a Ernie se le permite ir a la granja de Russ Frazier con quien está conectado pero ninguno de los dos lo sabe. Ernie intenta encontrar al hijo perdido de Russ junto con Joey, una chica a la que conoció al llegar al pueblo. Esta búsqueda los lleva a un viaje muy peligroso a un mundo de secretos prohibidos, charcos mágicos y el mundo subterráneo de los "Puddlejumpers", criaturas más pequeñas que una regla y con quiénes Ernie tiene una conexión. Cuando el destino llama, Ernie debe encontrar el valor para para salvar a los Puddlejumpers y guiarlos en la guerra contra sus enemigos mortales. Sólo entonces podrá encontrar su camino a casa.
December 28, 2017
Jean, Mark Puddlejumpers, 328p. Hyperion- Language:PG, Sexual Content:G, Violence:PG-
Ernie Banks, named after the Chicago Cubs Shortstop, was always a trouble-maker. At three years old, he was abandoned on the doorstep of the Lakeside Home for Boys. As an orphan, he always wondered who he belonged to before. Now he gets sent to a farm to learn how to behave. Once he hears about the "Quilt Baby" case, he is determined to solve it. While trying to figure the case, he meets the Puddlejumpers. Somehow he has a special connection to them. Will he be able to solve his own mysterious past?
I thought this book was a cute story on finding where Ernie belonged. The mystery was compelling. I really enjoyed this book.
MS- ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer: CW
Ernie Banks, named after the Chicago Cubs Shortstop, was always a trouble-maker. At three years old, he was abandoned on the doorstep of the Lakeside Home for Boys. As an orphan, he always wondered who he belonged to before. Now he gets sent to a farm to learn how to behave. Once he hears about the "Quilt Baby" case, he is determined to solve it. While trying to figure the case, he meets the Puddlejumpers. Somehow he has a special connection to them. Will he be able to solve his own mysterious past?
I thought this book was a cute story on finding where Ernie belonged. The mystery was compelling. I really enjoyed this book.
MS- ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer: CW
August 22, 2020
Very fun and imaginative! My boys and their cousiN (ages 8-10) loved it as a read-aloud together this summer, though I think many 8 year olds might find it too scary. Author
does a great job weaving the grounding element of baseball in to what is otherwise a very fantastical tale.
does a great job weaving the grounding element of baseball in to what is otherwise a very fantastical tale.
September 20, 2022
I read this book back in 7th grade like around 2010 I think. And never read it again. In 2018 I picked up reading again and remembered my love for this book.
If I re-read it again. I can give it a more accurate rating.
If I re-read it again. I can give it a more accurate rating.
January 13, 2024
I, honestly, really enjoyed this book! If you're a fellow reader that has a huge imagination, I would reccomend this book. The storyline and choice of wording is amazing and really paints an image in your head.
June 26, 2017
Enjoyed this as an audio book on a recent road trip. Good story and characters. Plot got a little weird towards at the end of the book as it reached an exciting ending.
September 15, 2017
Puddle jumpers remind me of Brownies but they love water. Baby kid napping, ugly monsters, orphans, farmers, magic and best friends this book has it all. I would love more puddle jumper stories.
August 8, 2018
So many new types of creatures in this really imaginative story. Some things were obvious, but other twists really took me by surprise. Overall, I really enjoyed this book!
October 28, 2019
This was a really fun middle grade read. The story line was compelling and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book!
July 8, 2021
What is this young orphan's name? Shawn, Ernie or Puddle jumper? Read on to find out more about this young man. Very good story!!!!
September 16, 2021
Great book I’ve read it about 5 times. I would like to see Disney make a live action movie on it. Like they did with Artemis fowl
November 22, 2022
Best read aloud in my opinion.
January 4, 2023
i remembered why i liked this book so much as a kid.
honestly the ending scene felt pretty similar to the endings of lord of the rings.
a wholesome re-read 🫶
honestly the ending scene felt pretty similar to the endings of lord of the rings.
a wholesome re-read 🫶
August 7, 2024
I actually didn't finish. I only read up to ch.7 where MotherEarth appeared.
April 29, 2023
had to read for my kids school project
I had to read this book with my son for a school project. I often read with him to make sure that he understands it, and I can question any comprehension. It has been the best books I’ve read with him so far. I’ve read at least 15 books with him, and this one was the best!
I had to read this book with my son for a school project. I often read with him to make sure that he understands it, and I can question any comprehension. It has been the best books I’ve read with him so far. I’ve read at least 15 books with him, and this one was the best!
November 13, 2012
Reviewed by Tasha for TeensReadToo.com
Ernie Banks was left on the doorstep of the Lakeside Home for Boys when he was just three years old. Now, ten years later, he's thirteen and well on his way to spending his life running from the law.
The one thing that irks him is that he knows he used to belong to someone. See, he came to Lakeside with a baseball card, an unusual crystal acorn necklace, and a weird spiral-shaped birthmark on his right foot. Out of desperation, Ernie is sent out to a farm in the middle of Nowhere, Illinois, in hopes that he will come back as a kid with a new attitude.
Here he meets an interesting mix of people. There's Russ Frazier, the owner; Joey, the girl who lives on the neighboring farm; and then there are the Holsapples. The Holsapples are a mean bunch of money-guzzling oil hordes who are trying to buy out all the farms in order to drill for oil. The Holsapples are pretty much ruining the small town. Then there's the horrendous drought that is causing everyone to lose hope... If only there was some way that everything could be fixed.
As Ernie learns more about the people of the small town, he also finds out that Russ' son was kidnapped ten years ago and was never found. What's even weirder is that Ernie feels familiar in Russ' house. A coincidence? Maybe! When Ernie is exploring one day he finds two Puddlejumpers, small people that live beneath puddles, and learns that he is their rainmaker. It is even prophesied that he will save them from their greatest enemy, the Troggs.
Will Ernie help save the Puddlejumpers? Will he find out about himself along the way?
This was a great book! I was absorbed into the action from the very beginning. While the book is geared more for middle grade readers, I definitely think anyone would get a kick out of it. I thought that the characters, especially Ernie, were well-developed and really had a sense of being. I also liked the premise of the story. I thought it was original and cute, plus the adventure in it was great.
At the beginning of the book there is what I would describe as a mini-story within the story. It tells the origins of the Puddlejumpers and about the kidnapping of Russ' son. I thought this section may have explained too much, since I found that a lot of the events in the book following this beginning were predictable, but there were definitely still a couple of things that took me by surprise. Overall, I really liked PUDDLEJUMPERS and think it would be a great book for readers of all levels. I think this book would be especially great for reluctant readers, as it incorporates a little bit of action, adventure, fantasy, and sports!! What more could you ask for?
Ernie Banks was left on the doorstep of the Lakeside Home for Boys when he was just three years old. Now, ten years later, he's thirteen and well on his way to spending his life running from the law.
The one thing that irks him is that he knows he used to belong to someone. See, he came to Lakeside with a baseball card, an unusual crystal acorn necklace, and a weird spiral-shaped birthmark on his right foot. Out of desperation, Ernie is sent out to a farm in the middle of Nowhere, Illinois, in hopes that he will come back as a kid with a new attitude.
Here he meets an interesting mix of people. There's Russ Frazier, the owner; Joey, the girl who lives on the neighboring farm; and then there are the Holsapples. The Holsapples are a mean bunch of money-guzzling oil hordes who are trying to buy out all the farms in order to drill for oil. The Holsapples are pretty much ruining the small town. Then there's the horrendous drought that is causing everyone to lose hope... If only there was some way that everything could be fixed.
As Ernie learns more about the people of the small town, he also finds out that Russ' son was kidnapped ten years ago and was never found. What's even weirder is that Ernie feels familiar in Russ' house. A coincidence? Maybe! When Ernie is exploring one day he finds two Puddlejumpers, small people that live beneath puddles, and learns that he is their rainmaker. It is even prophesied that he will save them from their greatest enemy, the Troggs.
Will Ernie help save the Puddlejumpers? Will he find out about himself along the way?
This was a great book! I was absorbed into the action from the very beginning. While the book is geared more for middle grade readers, I definitely think anyone would get a kick out of it. I thought that the characters, especially Ernie, were well-developed and really had a sense of being. I also liked the premise of the story. I thought it was original and cute, plus the adventure in it was great.
At the beginning of the book there is what I would describe as a mini-story within the story. It tells the origins of the Puddlejumpers and about the kidnapping of Russ' son. I thought this section may have explained too much, since I found that a lot of the events in the book following this beginning were predictable, but there were definitely still a couple of things that took me by surprise. Overall, I really liked PUDDLEJUMPERS and think it would be a great book for readers of all levels. I think this book would be especially great for reluctant readers, as it incorporates a little bit of action, adventure, fantasy, and sports!! What more could you ask for?
June 20, 2008
Ernie Banks was left on the doorstep of the Lakeside Home for Boys when he was just three years old. Now, ten years later, he’s thirteen years old and well on his way to spending a life running from the law. The one thing that irks him though is he knows he used to belong to someone. See he came to Lakeside with an Ernie Banks baseball card, an unusual crystal acorn necklace, and a weird spiral shaped birthmark on his right foot. Out of desperation Ernie is sent out to a farm in the middle of nowhere Illinois in hopes that he will come back as a new kid. Here he meets an interesting mix of people. There’s Russ Frazier, the owner of the farm; Joey, the girl who lives on the neighboring farm; and then there are the Holsapples. The Holsapples are a mean bunch of money guzzling, oil hordes who are trying to buy out all the farms in order to drill for oil. The Holsapples are pretty much ruining the small town by buying everyone out. Then there’s the horrendous drought that is causing everyone to lose hope... If only there was someway that everything could be fixed. As Ernie learns more about the people of the small town he learns that Russ’ son was kidnapped ten years ago and wasn’t ever found. What’s even weirder is Ernie feels familiar in Russ’ house, a coincidence? Maybe! When Ernie is exploring one day he finds two Puddlejumpers, small people that live beneath puddles, and learns that he is their rainmaker. It is even prophesized that he will save them from their greatest enemy, the Troggs. Will Ernie help save the Puddlejumpers? Will he find out about himself along the way?
This was a great book. I was absorbed into the action from the very beginning. While the book is geared more for middle grade readers I definitely think any reader would get a kick out of it. I thought that they characters, especially Ernie, were well developed and really had a sense of being. I also really liked the premise of the story. I thought it was original and cute plus the adventure in it was great. At the beginning of the book there is what I would describe as a mini-story within the story. It tells the origins of the Puddlejumpers and about the kidnapping of Russ’ son. I thought this section explained too much. After reading this particular section I found that a lot of the events in the book were predictable, but there were definitely still a couple of things that took me by surprise. Overall I really liked this book and think it would be a great book for readers of all levels. I think this book would be especially great for reluctant readers as it incorporates a little bit of action, adventure, and sports!! What more could a kid ask for?
This was a great book. I was absorbed into the action from the very beginning. While the book is geared more for middle grade readers I definitely think any reader would get a kick out of it. I thought that they characters, especially Ernie, were well developed and really had a sense of being. I also really liked the premise of the story. I thought it was original and cute plus the adventure in it was great. At the beginning of the book there is what I would describe as a mini-story within the story. It tells the origins of the Puddlejumpers and about the kidnapping of Russ’ son. I thought this section explained too much. After reading this particular section I found that a lot of the events in the book were predictable, but there were definitely still a couple of things that took me by surprise. Overall I really liked this book and think it would be a great book for readers of all levels. I think this book would be especially great for reluctant readers as it incorporates a little bit of action, adventure, and sports!! What more could a kid ask for?
September 26, 2014
Ernie Banks has always been a mystery. Left on an orphanage steps one Christmas morning by a truck driver, he has no idea the remarkable story that brought him to this place. For Ernie was meant for a destiny. At least, the Puddlejumpers think so. These tiny creatures have been waiting for their Rainmaker and will do everything in their power to see the prophecy fulfilled.
This book was a treat on several levels. First, the prose is strong and evocative---it's been a while since I've read something where the language impressed me this much. So much character and drama cram into such little snippets of scene.
Second, the Puddlejumpers offer the welcome surprise of a non-human race that doesn't speak English. And they do speak their own language. It gets many lines of dialogue, which gives a good feel for how it sounds, and there's even a spot where some of the grammar gets expanded a little. I really enjoyed how much depth this gives them; they have their own expressions which start to become familiar as the book goes on.
Third, I enjoyed the plot. While many elements of the story will be familiar, the solid writing brought the characters to life and made it their own story. Ernie is particularly sad to me because he's twice lost a place where he was loved and treasured, to end up in a place where his relationship with the world is mostly antagonistic. Here, too, though, the story avoids the easy way out of making Mrs. McGinty nothing but a villain. She's certainly unlikeable, but her thoughts and motivations get enough light that she is understandable, and she's a world away from the Troggs.
Finally, the story manages in certain points to transcend the fantastic and go into the mythic, which turns it from merely a good fantasy to something that has a lot more depth for me. MotherEarth was a lot of fun. Some of the scenes near the end also touched on the larger-than-life experience.
There's only a little that I wish might have been done a bit differently. Ernie's journey as the Rainmaker is good, but I was fully expecting him to need and use his human size and shape to do what the Puddlejumpers could not. The fact that he needs neither of these (and it's actually a hindrance) came as a surprise. So it leaves the puzzling loose end of why him at all? How did he get drafted into a Puddlejumper prophecy? What did he have that they didn't?
Overall, though, that wasn't enough to spoil the book for me. I rate this book Recommended.
This book was a treat on several levels. First, the prose is strong and evocative---it's been a while since I've read something where the language impressed me this much. So much character and drama cram into such little snippets of scene.
Second, the Puddlejumpers offer the welcome surprise of a non-human race that doesn't speak English. And they do speak their own language. It gets many lines of dialogue, which gives a good feel for how it sounds, and there's even a spot where some of the grammar gets expanded a little. I really enjoyed how much depth this gives them; they have their own expressions which start to become familiar as the book goes on.
Third, I enjoyed the plot. While many elements of the story will be familiar, the solid writing brought the characters to life and made it their own story. Ernie is particularly sad to me because he's twice lost a place where he was loved and treasured, to end up in a place where his relationship with the world is mostly antagonistic. Here, too, though, the story avoids the easy way out of making Mrs. McGinty nothing but a villain. She's certainly unlikeable, but her thoughts and motivations get enough light that she is understandable, and she's a world away from the Troggs.
Finally, the story manages in certain points to transcend the fantastic and go into the mythic, which turns it from merely a good fantasy to something that has a lot more depth for me. MotherEarth was a lot of fun. Some of the scenes near the end also touched on the larger-than-life experience.
There's only a little that I wish might have been done a bit differently. Ernie's journey as the Rainmaker is good, but I was fully expecting him to need and use his human size and shape to do what the Puddlejumpers could not. The fact that he needs neither of these (and it's actually a hindrance) came as a surprise. So it leaves the puzzling loose end of why him at all? How did he get drafted into a Puddlejumper prophecy? What did he have that they didn't?
Overall, though, that wasn't enough to spoil the book for me. I rate this book Recommended.
March 11, 2009
I picked up Puddlejumpers by Mark Jean and Christopher C. Carlson, on a whim. I'd never heard anything about it before, but it sounded interesting enough. I enjoy young adult fantasy novels. This one fits right into the genre--a fantastical world existing right in the middle of our normal human one, or in the case of Circle, Illinois, right underneath our normal one.
Puddlejumpers are small earthy creatures that inhabit a world below the Up Above where all the humans live. They love MotherEarth and need water, and all sorts of good stuff. But something evil and sinister is coming to destroy their kingdom! Their only hope is an ancient prophecy that says a human boy will be born who will help save the kingdom. (Are you thinking Harry Potter at this point? Me too. But there aren't any wands in this one...) The Puddlejumpers find their prophetic Rainmaker in Shawn Frazier, watch over him for 3+ months in the confines of his own human home, and then kidnap him into the Puddlejumper world. Everything goes well until disaster strikes, the Puddlejumper world is infiltrated and the Rainmaker is LOST...or so it seems.
Fast forward a number of years and enter two kids, Ernie and Joey, who decide to solve the mystery of the kidnapped baby. Their entrance into the story starts the whole prophecy thing in motion again...and the great question is, will the Rainmaker return and save the Puddlejumper's world? Will he return and make it rain again?!
The story is very reminiscent of Harry Potter and every other "there's a boy and a prophecy" fantasy novel out there. But the book is also entertaining and creative enough to keep you from making too many connections to Rowling's books. The characters have heart--especially Ernie Banks--and I found myself reading for hours, unable to put the book down. Puddlejumpers is not the greatest book you'll read this summer, but its fun, easy, and you'll have a good time.
Puddlejumpers are small earthy creatures that inhabit a world below the Up Above where all the humans live. They love MotherEarth and need water, and all sorts of good stuff. But something evil and sinister is coming to destroy their kingdom! Their only hope is an ancient prophecy that says a human boy will be born who will help save the kingdom. (Are you thinking Harry Potter at this point? Me too. But there aren't any wands in this one...) The Puddlejumpers find their prophetic Rainmaker in Shawn Frazier, watch over him for 3+ months in the confines of his own human home, and then kidnap him into the Puddlejumper world. Everything goes well until disaster strikes, the Puddlejumper world is infiltrated and the Rainmaker is LOST...or so it seems.
Fast forward a number of years and enter two kids, Ernie and Joey, who decide to solve the mystery of the kidnapped baby. Their entrance into the story starts the whole prophecy thing in motion again...and the great question is, will the Rainmaker return and save the Puddlejumper's world? Will he return and make it rain again?!
The story is very reminiscent of Harry Potter and every other "there's a boy and a prophecy" fantasy novel out there. But the book is also entertaining and creative enough to keep you from making too many connections to Rowling's books. The characters have heart--especially Ernie Banks--and I found myself reading for hours, unable to put the book down. Puddlejumpers is not the greatest book you'll read this summer, but its fun, easy, and you'll have a good time.
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