Starclimber
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

In the third volume of the steampunk series that opened with the Printz honor book Airborn (2004), Matt and Kate join the first journey into space from their alternative-history world: Matt as an astralnaut and Kate as a biologist. As the Canadian spaceship Starclimber hurtles into space and journeys back towards Earth, the oddly assorted voyagers on board become as intriguing as the wondrous new life forms discovered. The winning combination of adventure and fantasy, spiced with bits of humor and romance, makes this a worthy addition to the Airborn series.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2009 Booklist

Gr 6-10-Full-cast narration is the perfect choice for the final volume (2009) in Kenneth Oppel's action-packed sci-fi sequel to Airborn (2004) and Skybreaker (2005, all Eros and Full Cast Audio) that continues the story of Matt Cruise and his strong-willed love, Kate deVries. Matt undergoes vigorous training before he can become an astronaut on the first mission to space. He and Kate participate in Canada's efforts to be the first to conquer space, but not before Matt has a near-death experience working on a space tower, sabotaged by Babelites, who are against man's efforts to reach the heavens. The plot is complex with many unexpected twists and turns. The mishaps that occur in space add to everyone's discomfort and sometimes elicit near hysteria. The narration captures that fear in the various reactions of the participants, from the pompous and cowardly scientist Sir Hugh who disregards Kate's work to the eccentric Dr. Turgenev with his Russian accent and odd efforts at humor. One can hear the quiver in Sir Hugh's voice when the mission experiences a few unexpected mishaps and the outrage when Haiku, a monkey, puts him in his place. Listeners will be on the edge of their seats.-Edith Ching, Washington Latin Public Charter School, DC (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In Airborn (2004) and Skybreaker (2005), Oppel imagined an alternate history where zeppelins race across the skies. In Starclimber, he takes the reader into space. Matt Cruse is an aspiring pilot in his final year of flight training; Kate de Vries is the well-heeled adventuress who loves him. The two join an expedition into space aboard a new ship and face a challenge more daunting than the unknown cosmos-Kate's engagement to another man. Why It Is for Us: Old-fashioned in the very best way, Oppel's series is pure feel-good fun. It helps to have read the others in the series, but this world is so well realized that readers new to it will catch up soon. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(Middle School, High School) Oppel's books are equally notable for their action-packed plots and superb characterization, a combination that is not always easy to find in the fantasy/science fiction genre. Matt Cruse and Kate de Vries are back for their third adventure following their exploits in Airborn (rev. 7/04) and Skybreaker (rev. 1/06) and, not surprisingly, their relationship is pushed to the limits right along with their adrenaline. Matt figures to spend the summer in Paris working on the Celestial Tower (a modern-day tower of Babel) and courting Kate, but his plans change when terrorists attack the megastructure and Kate is summoned back to Canada by her parents. Their class differences have always been a tacit obstacle to their nascent romance and soon threaten to destroy their friendship altogether. Having completed a rigorous, competitive training program, Matt is qualified to join the Canadian team that plans to launch the first successful spacecraft. Before their departure, Kate, hired to perform zoological duties on the expedition, announces that she is engaged to someone else. Matt's inner turmoil is soon matched by a series of disasters that leaves the crew battling for their lives. True to form, Matt and Kate rise to the challenges, emerging victorious in life-and in love. From HORN BOOK, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Matt Cruse, hero of Printz Honorwinning Airborn (2004) and its sequel, Skybreaker (2006), returns for another thrilling adventure. While working to fund his final year in pilot training, Matt receives the opportunity to participate in a secret venture that will take him beyond his beloved skies and into outer space, enduring vigorous training to become one of the mission's "astralnauts." Security is paramount, since there are those willing to use violence to sabotage space travel. Once again, Matt is joined by his friend/romantic interest, Kate de Vries, as she continues to research unusual life forms. Their mission is complicated by factors both technical and human: Their ship is designed to travel by way of an untried "astral cable," and Kate can get permission from her parents to go only by getting engaged to another young man shortly before their journey beginsthe strain on Matt from both sources is palpable. Once again, Oppel has assembled intriguing characters, especially Matt's fellow astralnauts, who populate a fast-paced narrative that features enough unpredictable plot twists to keep readers riveted to Matt's story to the finish. (Fantasy. YA) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In the third volume of the steampunk series that opened with the Printz honor book Airborn (2004), Matt and Kate join the first journey into space from their alternative-history world: Matt as an astralnaut and Kate as a biologist. As the Canadian spaceship Starclimber hurtles into space and journeys back towards Earth, the oddly assorted voyagers on board become as intriguing as the wondrous new life forms discovered. The winning combination of adventure and fantasy, spiced with bits of humor and romance, makes this a worthy addition to the Airborn series. Copyright 2009 Booklist Reviews.

In Airborn (2004) and Skybreaker (2005), Oppel imagined an alternate history where zeppelins race across the skies. In Starclimber, he takes the reader into space. Matt Cruse is an aspiring pilot in his final year of flight training; Kate de Vries is the well-heeled adventuress who loves him. The two join an expedition into space aboard a new ship and face a challenge more daunting than the unknown cosmos-Kate's engagement to another man. Why It Is for Us: Old-fashioned in the very best way, Oppel's series is pure feel-good fun. It helps to have read the others in the series, but this world is so well realized that readers new to it will catch up soon. Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Gr 6–10—This sequel to Airborn (2004) and Skybreaker (2005, both Eos) continues the fabulous adventures of Matt Cruse and Kate de Vries. In classic steampunk fashion, this book blends the best of Victorian society and science fiction. No longer content to be confined to planet Earth, Kate and Matt leap at the opportunity to travel into space when Kate is invited to be a part of the Canadian astralnaut program for her scientific expertise and Matt must undergo rigorous training before he is accepted as a crew member. Unexpected mechanical difficulties, friction among those onboard, sabotage, and encounters with strange alien life-forms test their courage and ingenuity and love for one another. Starclimber is a thrilling roller-coaster ride of a book, full of humor and derring-do and guaranteed to keep readers up long past midnight.—Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK