Agent Arthur Arctic Adventure

by Martin Oliver

Book Overview

Super spy Arthur in a puzzle adventure. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0746001452
• ISBN13: 9780746001455
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: Educational Development Corporation
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 5.9" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

"Hudlum Bay Seems Normal Enough...I Wonder Why I was Sent Here?"

The "Agent Arthur" books are a sub-series in the Usborne Puzzle Adventure range, stories that centre around the secret missions of the youngest member of the Action Agency. All of the Usbourne Puzzle Adventure series are reliant on reader participation in solving problems throughout the story, whether it involves navigating mazes, deciphering codes or finding clues in the illustrations, but the "Agent Arthur" books are the only series-within-the-series that contain a reoccurring protagonist: the enthusiastic, energetic, talented and (slightly) nerdy Arthur, as well as his tracker-dog Sleuth. Martin Oliver has penned all the Arthur books, and successfully mingles international espionage with adventures that are reminiscent of Johnny Quest or Rin Tin Tin. All of the books have been illustrated by Paddy Mounter, who perfectly captures the exotic locations and action sequences that the narrative demands. This is Arthur's third mission (following Agent Arthur's Jungle Journey (Usborne Puzzle Adventures) and Agent Arthur on the Stormy Seas (Puzzle Adventures Series) - Oliver obviously loves alliteration) which takes him to the frozen frontier town of Hudlum Bay in the Arctic Circle to meet a fellow Action Agent. However, when Agent Alex goes missing Arthur realizes that it's up to him to rescue the kidnapped agent and expose a plot for world domination by the evil Spider Organisation. As usual, Arthur is a resourceful and intelligent protagonist (though not above making a few mistakes) and the puzzles are varied and challenging - but not too impossible, ranging from decoding secret messages, following maps, finding objects in the illustrations and even defusing a bomb! There's also a password in the form of a riddle and a situation that demands the use of logic that I recall quite impressed me when I was a kid! The story stretches from the somewhat sinister town of Hudlum Bay to the wide open stretches of the Arctic, lending the story a sense of scope and movement. Mounter's illustrations are beautifully coloured and detailed, as well as filled with clever puns and in-jokes (for example, in a bar there is a menu on the wall that lists Polar Beer, Ice Burgers and Cold Slaw as possible dinner choices). The darkened log cabins and smelly factories of Hudlum Bay are contrasted with the icy landscapes of the Arctic, and the characters are full of animation and liveliness. Fans of the series will also enjoy the final page, in which Arthur is joined by several familiar faces from the two previous books - nice touch!

Artic Review

Agent Arthur's adventure is about Arthurs third action packed adventure when he is sent by his uncle,Jake Sharpe the founder of the action agency to the artic to figger out and foil another one of the evil spider oganisations devilish plans. I really enjoyed reading this book because I loved the plot of the book and its challenging, fun codes to unscramble, puzzles to figger out and mazes to cross. That is why I rated it five stars. I recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the earlier Agent Arthur books.