CLARA POOLE AND THE LONG WAY ROUND, by Taylor Tyng, Pixel+Ink, July 4, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)
A girl finds herself co-pilot in a balloon race after a class science project goes awry in Clara Poole and the Long Way Round, by Taylor Tyng.
When an unintended flight over Michigan in her class science project—a lawn chair held aloft by balloons—brings her instant celebrity, Clara Poole is invited to be the spokesperson for a round-the-world adventure race. But when her overprotective father refuses, Clara forges his signature in a moment of defiance and runs away to Paris to take her place in the skies. If only she’d read the fine print first.
Partnered with a veteran aeronaut who wants nothing to do with her, Clara faces down ten treacherous stages in a race around the world—capturing flags in the perilous mountains of Nepal; being a guest of honor at a maybe-wedding in the Saharan desert; flying through rings of fire in Hong Kong—all while learning the ropes alongside a colorful cast of international competitors.
But there are more dangers ahead. Someone is trying to sabotage the competition. And surviving this race means Clara must come to terms with the tragedy that set her fleeing to the skies in the first place, and accepting that forgiving herself isn’t a process she has to undertake alone. —Synopsis provided by Pixel+Ink
If you’re looking for a high-flying adventure perfect for summer reading, then look no further. Clara Poole and the Long Way Round is a fantastic middle-grade novel that will sweep you away.
The book starts with a bang — or should I say a float? Author Taylor Tyng immediately draws you in with Clara floating through the Michigan skies on a rickety “airship” — if you can call a lawn chair and a bunch of balloons a ship. The entire escapade plays out cinematically, as does the rest of the book. It’s a great way to grab readers’ attention, and sets the tone for further reading.
Clara is a spunky main character that seems downright normal compared to the quirky characters that cross her path. She’s well-realized, as are some of the more important supporting characters, adding depth to this charming tale.
Clara Poole and the Long Way Round is the first book in a planned series, and I am really excited to see where Tyng takes it. That said, the first book is completely standalone and can be read that way.
At just under 400 pages, Clara Poole and the Long Way Round is a long middle-grade novel, and I can see it doing better with ages 9 and up because of that. While packed with action and great pacing, it’s not a one-sitting read. It is totally worth your time, though. It would make a great gift for a wide range of readers.
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