Puddlejumpers

Puddlejumpers is a wonderfully written book by Mark Jean and Christopher Carlson. It is a touching yet exciting story about an orphan boy who discovers his mysterious past through a group of 11-inch tall creatures. When finally the time comes, he must help them defeat the enemy.

A baby boy is born to a couple, but the mother dies after the child is born. Now only the his father is left to care for the baby. One day, the baby disappears. The father, filled with grief, searches everywhere for him. Meanwhile, baby Shawn is being raised by a small group of creatures called puddlejumpers. Suddenly, the need arises for Shawn to be moved to a safer location. While on the run from a dreaded monster, he is found by a human and is taken to an orphanage for boys.

Ernie Banks, once known as Shawn, is now thirteen and still at the orphanage. He has tried many families but still has not found his place due to the fact that he is always getting into trouble. He befriends boys at the orphanage, though only to lose them to adopting families. When finally, Ernie has gotten into trouble one too many times, he is sent to work on a farm. Coincidentally enough, he unknowingly is sent to work on his father's farm. Ernie is welcomed kindly by the farm's owner, his father, and is a good worker in return. Though soon he finds out about the baby that disappeared thirteen years ago, and takes it upon himself to find him.

While exploring the farm's land, Ernie also explores his own past. Ernie finds a puddlejumper that is hurt and nurtures it back to health. She tells him that he is Shawn, the missing baby. She also explains that he needs to help them defeat the monsters, and gives him a crystal acorn to help him succeed. Though through many hardships, Ernie accomplishes his quest and saves the puddlejumpers. He goes on further and tells his father he is Shawn, his missing son.

I loved this book because of it's adventure filled pages. For example, Ernie was so brave as to explore a spooky home, and to venture through to a fiery furnace. Ernie finally found where he belonged, but did not see his 11-inch friends again. Each page leaves you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next

Faith