Around the World in 100 Days by Gary Blackwood

You know the story. You've likely seen the movie. You might have read the book. Yes, you've heard about Phileas Fogg and his quick 80 day trip around the world. A few years later (1891 to be exact), Fogg's seventeen-year-old son Harry has made a wager much like his father did. Drive his automobile (steam powered, of course) around the world in 100 days. What's a stake? £6,000 and Harry's freedom to be a tinker. His traveling companions: his friend Johnny, slow with people, but fast with machines; Charles, son of one of the betters; and Elizabeth, a newspaper reporter. Will they make it around the world in 100 days? Only time will tell.

What I thought: A fun, action packed book. A hint of steampunk that can't go wrong. The characters were great. I liked the interjection of Charles' journal entries and Elizabeth's dispatches. This book will appeal to both guys and girls who crave adventure filled books. Fans of Oppel's Airborn series will like Around the World in 100 Days.

(Dutton, 2010)

Larklight by Philip Reeve

Art and Myrtle expect tomorrow to be like any other day at Larklight, their house in outer space. A visitor soon relieves them of their expectations. With their dad captured by huge spiders, Art and Myrtle are own their own. Rescued by pirates, they still aren't quite sure why they were attacked and and why they are now being pursued by the spiders.

What I thought: Larklight is a fun book. I don't think I would have picked this book up on my own. My search for steampunk books led to its discovery. Art and Myrtle's adventures are great--fast-paced and exciting. The steampunk elements are very evident in this story. Larklight strikes me as a Victorian Star Wars. I look forward to reading the other books in the series: Starcross and Mothstorm.

I read Larklight for the Full Steampunk Ahead Challenge.

(Illus. David Wyatt, Bloomsbury, 2006)

Starclimber by Kenneth Oppel

Matt Cruse and Kate de Vries are off on another adventure. This time their destination is not the sky, but outer space. The price of Kate's participation in the expedition is her engagement to the man of her parents' choosing. While Matt cringes at the sight of another man's ring on Kate's finger, he has a mission--reach outer space in one piece and return safely to Earth. As is the custom with Matt and Kate's exploits, this one is filled with new creatures and grave peril.

What I thought: Airborn was my first taste of steampunk though I didn't know it at the time. I'd never heard the term, but I knew I liked Airborn. I compared it to those adventure stories of Robert Louis Stevenson with great guy appeal. Skybreaker was a good sequel, but I really enjoyed this third installment, Starclimber. The plot is exciting from the start and the developments in Matt and Kate's relationship add suspense. Starclimber seems to be quintessential steampunk with the Victorian Age, new creatures, and technology. The science fiction element appeals greatly when paired with everything else. Dare I hope that there will be another book in the series?

I read Starclimber for the Full Steampunk Ahead Challenge.

(Eos, 2009)

The Clockwork Three by Matthew J. Kirby

Guiseppe is a street musician. A slave to his padrone, he sees no way out until the day he finds a green violin.

Frederick, an apprentice clockmaker, dreams of making journeyman and opening his own shop. The clockwork man he's building will earn him journeyman status. He knows it will.

Hannah is a hotel maid. When her father had a stroke, she went to work to support her family.

These three cross paths in the city and their stories become one. They each help the other. Their adventures are filled with danger and secrecy. As co-conspirators, they also become friends.

What I thought: An interesting novel. I liked how Kirby brought the three main characters and their stories together. The steampunk element (clockwork and the time period) is just enough to intrigue juvenile readers. The mystery was well done. I didn't guess the truth until it was revealed. The ending was highly satisfying. I felt good about Guiseppe, Frederick, and Hannah. The book felt complete.

I read The Clockwork Three for the Full Steampunk Ahead Challenge.

(Scholastic, 2010)