Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble

D. Robert Pease. Walking Stick Books (www.walkingstickbooks.com), $12.99 trade paper (320p) ISBN 978-0-615-52499-3

The first book in Pease's SF series is a sprawling story that hurtles back and forth in time and space, reaching as far back as 8512 B.C., and as far into the future as the 31st century. The premise is an occasionally hokey but entertaining spin on the tale of Noah's ark: born a paraplegic on Mars, 12-year-old Noah Zarc now lives on a massive spaceship called the ARC (Animal Rescue Cruiser) with his siblings and scientist parents. The vessel is filled with thousands of animals that the family has rescued by traveling back hundreds of years to before the Cataclysm destroyed life on Earth. Attempting to quash their mission to repopulate a revived Earth with the animals is Haon ("Noah" spelled backwards), who clashes with the Zarcs in a theatrical showdown. The story also includes a revelation about Noah's true parentage and explores his friendship with a girl from the Ice Age. Pease's strength as a storyteller lies in his ability to connect multiple time periods imaginatively, as well as Noah's excited, fast-paced narration. Ages 6–12.

Reviewed on: 07/09/2012

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