I've chatted before about how difficult it is to get my son to read. He's come a long way in the last few years. He loves being read to, and listening to Audibles whenever he can. He'll take the time to sit down and look at graphic novels, or something he deems "easy" to read. The challenge really comes to getting him to sit down and take the time to read something that is on his grade level.
Like most boys, he wants to read something quick and easy. (Most likely to get back to playing outside, or to perfect his latest Fortnite dance.)
The key to getting him to read comes down to finding something that actually interests him. It has to entice him enough that he actually gets excited about checking this task off his list.
Well, thank you Sheela Chari! She wrote a book that my son absolutely could not put down. My son was so into The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel, that I actually caught him a few times in his room just reading quietly. Without being asked to.
In my book, that deserves a big huge THANK YOU!
REVIEW
I thought I would share and give a quick review in case anyone else is looking for some good reading material for this age group (4th-7th grade).
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel totally is meant to intrigue this generation. It's a middle grades mystery book with technology tie ins. It's unique and intriguing, not only due to the plot, but it's fun format. Comprised of podcast transcripts, text message chains, emails, and news stories the story is written in a way that hits home with kids technology filled world of today. My son loved this style of writing.
It's fast paced and filled with fun characters. The story immediately sucked him in from the first page, and he already says it's one of his favorite books he's ever read.
We also didn't realize until later that the book is based on an award winning podcast. It has a few seasons, and he already can't wait to listen to them.
DETAILS FROM THE BACK COVER
Mars Patel’s friend Aurora has disappeared! His teachers are clueless. His mom is stressed out about her jobs. But Mars refuses to give up—after all, his own dad disappeared when Mars was a toddler, before he and Ma moved to Puget Sound from India. Luckily, Mars has a group of loyal friends eager to help—smart Toothpick, strong and stylish JP, and maybe-telepathic Caddie. The clues seem to point toward eccentric tech genius (and Mars’s hero) Oliver Pruitt, whose popular podcast now seems to be commenting on their quest! But when the friends investigate Pruitt’s mysterious, elite school, nothing is as it seems—and anyone could be deceiving them. Slick science, corporate conspiracies, and an endearingly nerdy protagonist make this first book in the series a fresh, exciting sci-fi adventure.
