The Icarus Show
- (David Fickling Books, January 2017), 224 pp., pb.
- Ages 8-12
Alex Meadows, an insecure elementary-schooler,
has had an awful summer. His best friend
has moved to Scotland, his next-door neighbor dies and the other moves into a
nursing home, his new next-door neighbor smells strange, and, worst of all,
Alex has been sucked into a terrible conundrum.
Coming home from school one day, he discovers a mysterious note
foretelling the flight of a boy. Alex is
faced with the question he is most afraid of answering. React
or Don’t React. After some snooping,
Alex uncovers an unbelievable secret about the “Icarus Show”. Do you
believe it? Can you believe it? Will you be there???
All around, this is a good book. The beginning gives a sample of the pace of
the story. Alex’s character is very
relatable -- his insecurities are what some people face every day. Bogsy was the best developed of all the cast,
his overly independent and cynical spirit paints him in a very mysterious
light, his mind might be a little out of whack, considering he plans to jump
off a bridge. Maisie, the sage of great
age, Alex’s source of counsel, adds good dialogue to the book, especially in their
conversations about the mystical Icarus and his unknown plans. Alan Tydman, head honcho of Alan’s Battalion
and class bully, sheds reality on the whole story, acting as the exact thing
every single school seems to have: a big, hulking meanie. His cruel techniques of extracting money from
weaklings are a fact of life for many school-age students, no matter their age.
I didn’t understand some of the
scenes in the school Alex attends (Probably due to my lack of experience, when
it comes to British public schools), and, at the start, couldn’t tell where
this book is set. The ending lacked
gusto, and was kind of confusing. The
book is humorous at times, has great character development, and an outstanding
plot. Do you believe it? Can you believe it? Will you be there???
posted by Ray Van Neste @ 8:39 AM
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