The Lost Cities: A Drift House Voyage

Charles and Susan Oakenfeld return home from their last day of school, looking forward to spending the summer with their Uncle Farley and uncovering more mysteries of Drift House. Their doorman, Mr. Ramirez, gives them an oilskin-wrapped package signed with their names (more like nicknames actually), and Charles and Susan are puzzled. They begin to suspect that it's from Mario of the Sea of Time, who has a rather curious connection to their younger brother Murray. Their attention is diverted briefly from the parcel when they learn that Murray has chicken pox and will be joining them at their Uncle Farley's at a later time. The three siblings then open the package and discover a book titled THE LOST CITIES --- but are baffled by its origin and purpose. There are more surprises in store for the Oakenfeld children. They're picked up by the mysterious Mr. Zenubian, who turns out to be a weathered, strange-looking man. They aren't sure what to think of this awkward introduction but are relieved to finally reach Drift House. Meanwhile, the mysterious book has a strong effect on Charles, making him particularly keen to uncover its secrets without his older sister's help. After he and President Wilson catch Mr. Zenubian stealthily looking at THE LOST CITIES, Uncle Farley asks questions about the book and why the caretaker was looking at it. An angry Mr. Zenubian leaves, but not without taking the small radio. While the Oakenfeld relatives try to make sense of the strange events that have recently unfolded --- each in their own way --- a tidal wave sweeps Drift House out to the Sea of Time, separating the family. Now, Charles and President Wilson are roaming in possibly 17th- or 18th- century Canada where they meet the Wendat, while Susan and Uncle Farley are sailing across the Sea of Time on their way to 15th-century Greenland known for the Vikings. As the two teams of adventurers search for the source of the time squall (the reason for the tidal wave) while making their way back home to the 21st-century, they discover what the Lost Cities are --- one of them being the Tower of Babel --- and the exciting yet somber effects they may have on the family's past, present and future. THE LOST CITIES is a sequel to THE FIRST VOYAGE that has much to offer: adventure, humor and drama. However, there are some action scenes and historical references that might confuse and bother some younger readers, so it would be a good idea for them to discuss the book with someone older. Still, this is a great page-turner full of new characters, twists and turns that answers some questions from the first book while laying the foundation for a third one. --- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle