Cloudy With a Chance of Books

Jake’s parents have disappeared on an archaelogical expedition. They send Jake and his older sister, Kady, each half of an ancient Mayan coin. When the artifacts his parents recovered from their last expedition are displayed in London, Jake visits the exhibit. He puts the coin halves into a miniature golden pyramid which pulls him and his sister into another world.  In this world Native Americans fly on dinosaurs and Romans live alongside Mayans in a valley protected by the power of crystals. This valley is in danger from the rising power of the Skull King and his unnatural creations.  Jake makes two good friends, a Mayan girl and a Roman boy, with whom he will fight the Skull King and his warriors.

This book reminds me of Narnia as siblings who love each other but don’t always like each other are pulled across time to a land where a battle rages against a powerful evil.  Instead of religious undertones it is pinned on scientific principles.  The nature of light and the theory of continental drift both figure prominently in the plot.  The Skull King who literally wears shadows is less willing to use charm than the White Witch, but both plan to rule and sap the land of its vitality.  Jake is driven to pursue the discipline that his parents loved.  The author has provided Jake a host of mysteries and he takes them on like a young Indiana Jones.  There is plenty of action for this young adventurer and the unanswered questions about his parents’ fate will drive readers to want to pick up the upcoming sequel.

I enjoyed this book and think it is a great read for 6th – 8th graders particular those who like MacHale’s Pendragon books or Indiana Jones.  Pure adventure. 399p., 2009.