Above World4stars

 

 

Good Plot and Great Characters

By Jenn Reese

Candlewick Press, $16.99, 356 pages

Aluna has always felt out of place with her people, the Kampii, an underwater civilization who live separate from other cultures above the water. Increasingly angered over the deaths of Kampii due to their breathing tubes failing and the elder’s refusal to take action, Aluna and her best friend Hoku set off to the world above to find the answers to their problem and save their people. What they discover above is more than either of them could have imagined – both good and bad.

Above World is a surprisingly delightful story about friends, finding your place in the world and having the courage to stand up for your beliefs. The strength of the story is in the characters – both Aluna and Hoku are well-written, relatable, and have a depth of character that is not found in many tween books. The character growth is impressive for both of them as they learn hard lessons and figure out what they believe in throughout the book. The main story is also well laid out, has nice surprises and twists, and nicely sets the stage for future plot points. Older children or younger teens will enjoy the story of Aluna and Hoku.

Reviewed By Barbara Cothern

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