The Never War (Pendragon Series)

ANNOTATION

It sure looks like Earth, but 15-year-old Bobby Pendragon, a Traveler, is not so sure. After following his uncle on a mission to save the world, Bobby has returned to Earth--only it's 1937 and the 21st-century protagonist is a little out of his depth.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The third installment in an epic series of adventures

First Earth

Fourteen-year-old Bobby Pendragon is a loyal friend, sports star, devoted pet owner -- and Traveler. Along with his uncle Press, Bobby has visited the alternate dimension of Denduron and participated in a civil war. He's also waded through the endangered underwater territory of Cloral. Now Bobby once again finds himself thrust beyond the boundaries of time and space into a place that seems somewhat familiar: First Earth.

Bobby and the Traveler from Cloral -- Spader -- have flumed to New York City, 1937. Against a backdrop of gangsters, swing music, and the distant sound of a brewing war, the two must uncover the evil Saint Dane's newest plot. But is Bobby ready for the difficult choices ahead?

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Also voyaging through time, the 14-year-old hero of the Pendragon series lands in 1937 New York City, on "First Earth," in The Never War by D.J. MacHale. Bobby and Spader (introduced in the previous installment, The Lost City of Faar) must find their old foe, Saint Dane, and figure out his latest plot. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Alyson Basden

A traveler who can go back to the past or into the future, Bobby Pendragon is not a normal fourteen-year-old boy. In this third book of MacHale's "Pendragon" series, Bobby is trying once again to stop the evil Saint Dane. Bobby finds himself going back to 1937 in New York City for his new adventure. With the help of his friends Gunny and Spader, Bobby must figure out how to stop Saint Dane's plan before the future is destroyed. The only way Bobby can stop Saint Dane is to make sure the past stays the same. Or should the past stay the same? Bobby must make the ultimate sacrifices to ensure a safe future. Will he make the right choices, or will he change the future forever? MacHale keeps readers guessing what will happen next... until the very end. This will be Bobby's biggest adventure yet because he must make his decisions before time runs out. MacHale's characters come to life in this breathtaking adventure. The story's gangsters and the stirring war make readers feel like they are in the past with Bobby. MacHale takes the readers to a new time that focuses on the war ahead. He uses major events in history, such as the Hindenburg's crash, to capture readers' attention while helping them learn about the past. The journey allows readers to understand how life was after the Great Depression and before a horrendous war. MacHale's words keep readers interested and entertained expanding on the imagination of children while helping them learn a little more about history. 2003, Aladdin Paperbacks/Simon & Schuster, Ages 10 up.

VOYA - John Kelly, Teen Reviewer

I found this book to be average. The beginning is quite confusing because it does not recap what happened in the previous two books, leaving a newcomer to the series completely lost. As the story progresses, however, the reader is able to figure out most of the story. It has a great deal of action and a few surprises, some of which are predictable. I would recommend this book to teens who like books about time traveling. VOYA Codes: 4Q 4P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2003, Aladdin/Simon & Schuster, 352p,

KLIATT

Fifteen-year-old Bobby Pendragon is a Traveler, whose job is to help oversee the dimensions and protect them from those who would exploit them for their own ends￯﾿ﾽlike the evil, shape-changing Saint Dane. In this third adventure, Bobby and his pal Spader, another Traveler, chase Saint Dane to First Earth, circa 1937. There they meet up with Gunny, the First Earth Traveler, and two sets of evil gangsters. Saint Dane is involved with one gang, and it's up to the three Travelers to figure out his plan. With WW II on the horizon, can Bobby change his own world's history? And how many people will have to die to protect First Earth? The writing in this novel is at about the level of a TV afterschool special, but the plot is exciting and readers will be carried along rapidly. Buy where the series has been popular. (Pendragon Quartet, Book 3). KLIATT Codes: JS￯﾿ﾽRecommended for junior and senior high school students. 2003, Simon & Schuster, Aladdin, 336p., Root

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