A search for the Beast, a Yeti-like creature within the heart of the Amazon, becomes a quest for self-discovery in this young adult coming-of-age story filled with international adventure, rich mythology, and magical realism from globally celebrated novelist Isabel Allende. Fifteen-year-old Alexander Cold has the chance to take the trip of a lifetime. Parting from his family and ill mother, Alexander joins his fearless grandmother, a magazine reporter for International Geographic, on an expedition to the dangerous, remote ...
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A search for the Beast, a Yeti-like creature within the heart of the Amazon, becomes a quest for self-discovery in this young adult coming-of-age story filled with international adventure, rich mythology, and magical realism from globally celebrated novelist Isabel Allende. Fifteen-year-old Alexander Cold has the chance to take the trip of a lifetime. Parting from his family and ill mother, Alexander joins his fearless grandmother, a magazine reporter for International Geographic, on an expedition to the dangerous, remote world of the Amazon. Their mission, along with the others on their team--including a celebrated anthropologist, a local guide and his young daughter Nadia, and a doctor--is to document the legendary Yeti of the Amazon known as the Beast. Under the dense canopy of the jungle, Alexander is amazed to discover much more than he could have imagined about the hidden worlds of the rain forest. Drawing on the strength of the jaguar, the totemic animal Alexander finds within himself, and the eagle, Nadia's spirit guide, both young people are led by the invisible People of the Mist on a thrilling and unforgettable journey to the ultimate discovery.
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I liked this book, but I don't think I would give it to just any student- only those who really enjoyed reading and could suffer through the middle 150 pgs. The book began a little iffy. Allende is an AMAZING author, but the first ten or so pages seemed as though she did not even consider she was writing for a young adult audience. Quickly, though, her story becomes addictive as a 15 yr old boy must go with his grandmother, who can be described as the least maternal grandmother alive, to the Amazon in search of a Bigfoot-like beast. He is sent away so his father can take his cancer-stricken mother away for experimental treatment. The story continues through his adventures and adjustments to the harsh world of the Amazon. After 200 wonderful pages, the story takes a turn. There is a 150 page "vision quest" where reality, superstition, and fantasy collide. This is beautifully done, and I appreciated and enjoyed Allende's descriptions, but I cannot imagine my students making it through this chunk of the 400+pg book. Once this mystical piece is over, the story returns to the exciting, fast paced adventure the originally started as. It ended fabulously. I would give the beginning and end 5 stars, and the middle section 3 stars, so I compromise for a solid 4 for the book as a whole!