Indo Dreaming

From the Publisher

"An entertaining and educational story." —Children's Literature Reviews

Childrens Literature Reviews

"An entertaining and educational story."

Children's Literature

Some experiences feel like nightmares and some nightmares feel so real. Did nineteen-year-old Goog actually see his childhood mate, Castro, being attacked by a shark? Goog unexpectedly starts receiving postcards from Indonesia signed by Castro and then decides to fly to Indonesia in search of his friend. Shortly after he arrives, Goog meets an American, Niagara, who is in Indonesia searching for his Uncle Max. Goog's and Niagara's travels through several Indonesian Islands are described in detail as they struggle to find their missing friend and uncle, respectively. The young men encounter miserable sleeping conditions, armed bandits, poverty, rabid dogs, and a witch. After weeks of searching, Niagara learns that Uncle Max is really his biological father. And instead of finding Castro, Goog is stunned to find his estranged dad and is informed he is responsible for leading his son on a wild goose chase. This is an entertaining and educational story about surfing and Indonesian culture. Finishing the novel, the reader may have questions about certain aspects of the story and some readers may be offended by the occasional use of obscene words. 2005, Allen & Unwin, Ages 12 up.
—Mary Jo Edwards

VOYA

When Goog's best friend, Castro, vanished, everyone assumed that it was a shark attack, but his body was never found. Returning home to earn enough money to take an epic surfing trip, Goog is suddenly confronted with a mystery in the form of postcards. Postmarked Indonesia and signed by his dead friend and depicting various surf spots throughout Indonesia, the cards convince Goog to follow the trail in an attempt to find the truth about his friend's death. His solitary quest, however, is soon altered as he teams up with Niagara, a strange man following the travels of his late uncle's diary. As they chase the paths of two dead men, they must confront fears both within them and in the dangerous places they stay. Even as they join a whale hunt, find companionship in fellow travelers, and suffer from fevers brought on by unclean food and water, they are dragged forward by the desire to find knowledge and any sort of peace they can tape together. Grant's second novel, following Rhino Chasers (Allen & Unwin, 2003/VOYA October 2003), manages to be at once a literary counterpoint to movies such as Endless Summer and an homage to Conrad's Heart of Darkness. As Goog attempts to piece together the facts surrounding the disappearance of his friend, he finds that he must confront his own life, starting with his relationship with his father. At times meandering, this seductively dark and suspenseful novel manages to weave together disparate threads that make it an interesting read with a unique voice. VOYA CODES: 4Q 3P J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2005, Allen andUnwin, 264p., Trade pb. Ages 12 to 18.
—Heather Hepler