Monday, March 21, 2011

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: The Clockwork Three

I found this book from a Publisher's Weekly article on Fall 2010 Flying Starts. I had just finished reading Cassandra Clare's The Clockwork Angel and I was ready for more steampunk. Middle Grade steampunk intrigued me and I added The Clockwork Three to my list.

The Clockwork Three by Matthew J. Kirby
Published in October 2010

Releasing this year:
Icefall (October 2011)

The Hook: Three chidren's lives come together and they must work as a team to find a treasure hidden somewhere in the city's grand hotel.

Why I loved it: Characters and style. Kirby knows how to create living characters. Even the secondary characters breathe intrigue. The three children: Giuseppe, an Italian busker, who discovers a green violin and a possible way to get back to Italy and his family. Hannah, a hotel maid, who works to support her family and ailing father discovers a clue to hidden treasure that if found will support her family and allow her to go back to school. And Frederick, rescued from an orphanage by the clockmaker, is determined to become the youngest member of the clockmaker's guild by creating an automaton man. Each story is intriguing and how it ends will surprise you. Beautifully written and an entertaining story. Great for both boys and girls.

What are your thoughts on steampunk? The term annoys my husband but so does Bollywood. I happen to like both.


5 comments:

  1. I'm not a big fan of steampunk, based on what I've read so far, but this one sounds interesting!

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  2. I enjoyed this book a lot more than other steampunk I've read. Great book to highlight for MMGM.

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  3. I enjoyed Clockwork Angel and Leviathan, so I might like this too. Thanks for the recommendation! And the link.

    I've linked to your post too.

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  4. I like steampunk, but I think Kirby's beautiful prose sets this book apart. Guiseppe was my favorite of the three. I also loved that the story was inspired by the true story of a street musician who escaped. Great review!

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  5. hi miss brooke! for sure i looooove steampunk! this sounds like a pretty cool book. i like stuff with clues cause i like seeing if i could guess whats gonna happen. wow an automaton man! how cool is that.
    ...smiles from lenny :)

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