  | Hunt for the Pyxis Author: Ferraris, Zoe | |
| Price: $6.50 | ||
Summary:
After her parents are kidnapped, Emma and her best friend Herbie set out on an adventure that takes them through a galaxy populated by pirates, monkeys, the tyrant Queen of Virgo, and other creatures, human and otherwise, as they try to rescue her parents and protect the mysterious Pyxis.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 5.00 Points: 11.0 Quiz: 175464 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (-) (06/01/15)
School Library Journal (07/01/15)
Booklist (07/01/15)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 07/01/2015 Gr 4–6—Emma Garton loves her parents, sailing with her dad on their little yacht, and trading homework days with her best friend Herbie. Herbie is convinced that Emma's dad is lying to her about who he really is. Maybe he's a spy, maybe he's a smuggler, or perhaps he is an alien? Unfortunately, Herbie turns out to be right and when men with guns come to the door demanding the return of a mysterious device called the Pyxis, it turns out that Emma's parents are from another galaxy. Emma and Herbie escape but her parents are kidnapped. When the children try to hide on the yacht, Emma accidentally activates the Pyxis, alerting the entire universe to its existence and location and sending them on a journey sailing into the stars. Emma and Herbie find a place where pirates and magic exist, animals can talk as well as be eaten and worn, and an evil queen is trying to kill them all. As they search the galaxy for Emma's parents, they find new friends and make enemies. The character development leaves a lot to be desired, however, the children are resourceful and determined and the story is absolutely action-packed. There are many strange and interesting developments and the pace is swift. VERDICT This first in a trilogy will keep kids reading in order to find out what happens next.—Terry Ann Lawler, Burton Barr Library, Phoenix, AZ - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 07/01/2015 Emma learned to sail at her father’s side when she was 5 and has always been fascinated with the constellations. Now 12, she and her best friend, Herbie, live for sailing the family sailboat, Markab, every weekend. When Emma’s parents are kidnapped, Emma and Herbie discover that Emma’s mother is really Halifax Brightstoke, a famous pirate from a faraway galaxy, who knows the whereabouts of a powerful amulet—the Pyxis. Quickly learning to navigate the rivers of outer space and using star charts to plot their course, Emma and Herbie sail the Markab and dodge enemy fire, strange creatures, and portals to other worlds—all while racing the clock to rescue Emma’s parents. Ferraris has lots of great ideas about world building, but somehow the novel does not quite hinge together. Character development is erratic, and the novel’s pacing is uneven. In spite of these challenges, this book will have an audience and will appeal to younger fans of Dave Barry’s Peter and the Starcatchers (2004). - Copyright 2015 Booklist.
