Sunday, September 25, 2011

Laddertop-Orson Scott Card and Emily Janice Card; Stefan Rudnicki (illustrator)

Laddertop


Orson Scott Card and Emily Janice Card; Stefan Rudnicki (illustrator)

Tor Seven Seas, Sep 27 2011, $10.99

ISBN: 9780765324603



At the Deerfield Middle school tweeners reticent Robbi Holton and aggressive Azure Miles are BFFs. Whereas Robbi expects to remain at Deerfield, Azure wants to attend Laddertop Academy where children are trained at maintenance of the humongous ladders that rise 36000 miles from the surface and the four power space stations where the steps end. A quarter of a century ago, the alien Givers arrived at earth and before abrutly vanishing left behind special energy technology with the ladders and stations.



Azure is euphoric to hear her name called to attend Laddertop; Robbi on the other hands has doubts longer than the ladders because she leaves behind her siblings under the abusive watch of their stepfather. At the academy, a strange beast bites Robbie leaving her with an odd mark that bleeds on and off for no apparent reason. She also struggles with eerier dreams that shake her well being. The pair soon begins to look into the enigma of the Givers; unaware that their investigation could destroy mankind.



This is a great first act middle school graphic science fiction comic book. The lead protagonists are intrepid but display their courageous in totally opposite ways. They make the entertaining Card dad and daughter collaboration fun to read while Stefan Rudnicki‘s illustrations enhance the space adventures of two preadolescent feisty females.



Harriet Klausner

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