REVIEW OF THE BOOK - CITY OF THE BEASTS by Isabel Allende.  

Final Project for the Thursday Morning Book Club 

Milwaukee School of Math and Science

Milwaukee, WI

Mr. Ross Romenesko's awesome advanced Sixth Grade Readers.

Alex Cold is anything BUT excited at the prospect of traveling to the Amazon with Kate, his badly behaved grandmother, but off he goes as part of the International Geographic Team in search of the Beasts, otherwise known as the Yeti.  His mother is dying of cancer, he’s angry, doesn’t care for adventure, and is hopelessly in love with Cecilia Burns, who doesn’t even know he exists.  Along the journey, Alex learns a lot about himself, the world, magic, spirits, Indians, good guys and bad guys, and even eats Anaconda before it is all over.  His cohort for much of the journey is a courageous 12-year old named Nadia, whose father, César Santos is the expedition’s guide.  Nadia, and Alex, soon realize that they will have a unique role on the trip as they battle science, greed, and the dangers of the rainforest to save the Beasts and the Indians from extinction.  

If you like magic potions, dreams, and adventures, this is a great book for you to read.  The author, Isabel Allende, is well known for her adult fiction that focuses on Magical Realism - a style that inserts magic into what would otherwise be “ normal “ situations - stretching the readers sense of reality into new realms where totem animals, talismans, and giant talking sloths are an everyday experience.  

Some parts of the book are reminiscent of the Harry Potter series, but I think it would make a better animated movie.  One of my favorite parts of the book, is when Alex realizes that he can turn into his totem animal, the Jaguar, at will.  The book also speaks directly to the concept of Giving and Receiving, which is an important aspect of how we should treat the rainforest.  If we only take, it will soon be used up and disappear, along with the Beasts and their history, magic, and wisdom.  

A fun read that stretches the imagination.

Tina Romenesko