Airman

Rating: Cleaner

Audience: My whole family enjoyed this one, but it is a little dark and there is some violence. I would recommend fifth grade and up.

Audio book recommendation: Yes! Loved it.  The narrator does all the accents and voices.

Plot: Conor Brokehart is born in a hot air balloon and has always felt a connection to the air. He lives with his parents on the island nation of Great Saltee off the Irish Coast, where he befriends Princess Isabella and works with with the great inventor, Victor, to build the first working flying machine. But when he is convicted of a crime he did not commit, he is sent to work the underwater diamond mines on the prison island Little Saltee.  Now he must invent for himself a new identity as "the airman" to escape the island and save his family, his home, and the princess from the evil Bonvilain.

What makes it great?

The Saltee Islands are a real place but the story is fantastical and high-adventure, which is why it's fun to read. Conor is smart and resourceful and survives prison by giving the main thug advice on hair gel.  That's just awesome! Also, there is just something about the desire to fly that I think we can all relate to.