Starclimber

STARCLIMBER: Kenneth Oppel: Eos: Young Adult: 390 pgs.

Matt Cruse reaches for the stars in this latest offering from Oppel featuring Matt and Kate de Vries. The latest craze in exploration and travel is space; the French are building the Celestial Tower which they hope will take them to space. Matt is working on this project when he is approached by Mr. Lunardi, the airship magnate, and the Canadian Minister of Air, who have worked together to build a spaceship and are looking for men to train and become the first astralnauts. Matt spends two weeks in the grueling training and earns a spot after one of the first-named astralnauts breaks his leg. Kate is also offered a spot on the ship to look for life in outer-space. The two, along with three other crew members, Kate’s nemesis Sir Hugh, and photographer/journalist Miss Karr, embark into space aboard the Starclimber where (of course) adventure awaits. The romance between Matt and Kate continues to play out, with a few twists. Oppel really knows how to write a compelling adventure story with great characters.

MN