LitPick Review
Noah and his sister Ava have just finished school and are on their way to their yearly summer camping trip to Lake Liraz with their parents. Suddenly, their dad accidentally hits something with the car, and when he walks back to check, he ends up getting his hand caught in a wolf trap! Since they all left their phones at home, Noah and Ava set out to find help. They end up in a mysterious cave at night and admire the beautiful display of ancient markings all over the walls. Ava then discovers an odd-looking gadget, and when she picks it up, they are transported back to caveman times! There they meet a spirited macaque monkey named Maca and learn that he has been enslaved by two cave people. They need to come up with a plan to get Maca out of there, fast! Their only hope, along with teamwork and bravery, lies in their hands: the "gimmicky gadget."
Opinion:
I really enjoyed reading this creative and entertaining story for middle-grade readers. The author did a great job making the characters relatable, authentic, and humorous. Everyone can appreciate a good brother-sister laugh! Noah and Ava's natural curiosity and caring nature really shine throughout the book, especially when they work together to plan Maca's escape. The vivid scenery was descriptive and enhanced by the bright and colorful cover illustration. I know that this will draw children right into the story. I like how there is a unique blend of adventure, realistic fiction, and sci-fi/fantasy in this book. On top of that, there are educational facts about animals and life science to spark children's curiosity to learn more. The only suggestion I have for the author would be to double-check the punctuation marks throughout the book. Overall, I would still recommend this book to young readers looking for a story full of excitement, adventure, a good laugh, and a valuable message about kindness and sticking up for someone in need.
