Pirates, Bats, and Dragons: A Science Adventure

This is a great adventure story for kids, about ages 12-14, in the tradition of The Happy Hollisters and Hardy Boys. But it has a wondrous twist- science. The text is profuse with highly interesting science, from biology to geology, from computer engineering to anthropology. In studying the island of Suqutra, I found Pirates, Bats, and Dragons to be very accurate. Davis has done his research, including the bibliography for source citing, and with the up-to-date information, like the airstrip installed the same year as the writing of the book. And this was the best part of the book for me. Even though it's intended for kids, this is the only fictional work I've ever come across based on the mystical land of Suqutra. It's one thing to learn from a non-fiction book; something about seeing the same in a fictional work puts the ideas more deeply in your head, as it leaves the fact and enters the land of myth. The island is amazing enough on it's own- for the sake of adventure Davis enfleshes reality on some of the more prominent myths of the island. But only slightly so- most of what you find in this book is by-the-book fact. This was a great page-turning adventure as well. The culture and people of Suqutra are highly valued, and integral to the storyline. For parents, the sexuality in the book is minimal- a brief hug and a girl in a bathing suit. The one aspect I was disappointed with was the shark attack. Attacks by sharks are so rare (4 deadly per year worldwide), especially compared to the number of sharks killed by humans (70 million), or the number of those dying from Coke machines (2 per year in the US alone). In an otherwise scientifically accurate fictional work, such a story only contributes the Jaws mentality that sharks are evil and need to be destroyed. On the plus side, this book goes beyond science and culture to the realm of politics, in a fictional manner exposing the lie behind the American so-called War on Terrorism. You don't often get an author bold enough to confront the Powers That Be, in writing something that the majority of the world might agree with, but could get him run out on a rail within the US. Kudos to Davis, for excellent writing, copious research, and real bravery.

I felt Mike Davis's latest book was not only educational, but exciting as well ( a frequently attempted, rarely achieved balance in children's books) yet I have some problems with it. The educational aspect of the novel would be greatly improved with a glossary of some sort- there are SAT words in the book even I am unfamiliar with, and several esoteric scientific concepts which are not clearly explained in the context. Many kids will become frustrated with the book and abandon it- they're not going to research every little detail they don't understand. It seems like Mike Davis is only interested in privelaged gifted students reading his books. Quality education brings lower students higher- it doesn't just entertain the already blessed. Furthermore, I thought the anti-American troop sentiment was a bit pretentious and very annoying. Naming the villainous Special Forces officer "Robert E. Lee Strong" was as transperant as naming a character "Alfonso Hitlero." I know not all troops are angels, but my uncle is in Special Forces and much of his time in Afghanistan was spent clearing the land mines around schools that creeps of various purposes had planted. He is not some cowboy with a bent for shooting dark-skinned people as Davis would have it. That said, I think the book really is spectacular in other respects- kids can learn about countries most have never heard of, and will be interested in learning more. I say to Mr. Davis for his next installment in the series: include a glossary and helpful websites, can the political whining (if I don't take it from Fox News I'm not going to take it from you either) and try to appeal to the underprivelaged kids who really need to be inspired.

Mike Davis has written another wonderful volume in his science adventure series. Like its predecessor, Land of the Lost Mammoths, Pirates, Bats, and Dragons takes readers on a fabulous adventure with Jack, Conor, and Julia, who have grown up into intriguiging and brilliant young adults. While the events of the novel will leave you on your seat, Davis' extraordinary research--on Socotra, on giant salamanders, on modern piracy, and more--is head-spinning. Finally, the evident camaraderie among the three main characters and the meaningful messages about the environment and world affairs make this novel an important addition to everyone's library. I only wish my son was older than nine months so we could have read it together!

We are off once more! Pirates, Bats, and Dragons is the latest offering from Mike Davis and Perceval Press that continues the scientific travels and adventures of the three young friends, now college students, who we first met in Davis' The Land of the Lost Mammoths. In this new adventure however, we leave pre-history and mammoths far behind and we are transported at breakneck speed, headlong into the 21st century, complete with its inherent global issues. Our three young heroes, Jack, Connor, and Julia, are once again remarkably savvy and resourceful as they search out their pirates, bats, and dragons...and ultimately get a whole lot more than they bargained for. Despite its natural references to current world affairs and conflicts (the locale for Pirates, Bats, and Dragons is Socotra, off the coast of Yemen in the Indian Ocean)... this remains, first and foremost, another magical Davis tale of high adventure. He does not dodge today's controversies, however, but instead faces them head on through the actions of his three key characters. This story is gloriously about truth and honor...and overwhelmingly, the power of friendship. The stakes are much higher in this second installment, but both the author and his champions are refreshingly up to the task Davis has given us another treat...high adventure at its best.