Red Midnight

by Ben Mikaelsen and Ben Mikaelsen

Book Overview

When guerrilla soldiers strike Santiago's village, they destroy everything in their path -- including his home and family. Santiago and his four-year-old sister escape, running for their lives. But the only way they can be truly safe is to leave Guatemala behind forever. So Santiago and Angelina set sail in a sea kayak their Uncle Ramos built while dreaming of his own escape. Sailing through narrow channels guarded by soldiers, shark-infested waters,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380805618
• ISBN13: 9780380805617
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: HarperCollins Espanol
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.1" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

The Relationship Between Siblings

I rate this book a five because if you have a younger sibling than you or your the younger sibling this book teachs sibling that even though you fight you can still love each other. Do anything to save their life and get them away from any danger to me this book mean alot because it shows affection between siblings and Ben Mikaelsen quotes "When I wrote this book it told me that it would show what siblings should be doing and not doing". So to me this book is the best book ever written and so I think you should read and you might agree and I would recommend this book to anyone with siblings.

RED MIdnIGht Review

When the Guantamalian soligers came to Saniagos village and kill alomst everyone. Santiago ran away to his uncle ramos house. His uncle shows Santiago how to work the canoe for his long sail to the U.S. Satiago faces alot of obsticals on the way. Some of them are starvation, dhydration. Overall I thought this book was a prity good book. WHen Santiago takes care of his sister was very memorial. I think that Satigo did a good job taking care of Of his sister and himself.

Dora the Johnny

In the book I read Red Midnight by Ben Mikaelsen, a young boy and a young girl's whole life is destroyed right before their eyes. They must flee on a kayak across the Gulf of Mexico to the United States or they would most certainly lose their lives too. At the ages of 4 and 12 will they die crossing the gulf? Or maybe they'll starve. You'll have to read this book to find out what happens to these two unfortunate young children. Ben Mikaelsen uses an exciting plot with extraordinary descriptions and characterizations that lets the reader get to know the characters better than most stories. I enjoyed the exhilarating plot, real life characterizations, and detailed descriptions of Red Midnight.One example of why I enjoyed this book was the edge-of-your-seat plot. As soon as I opened the book and read just the first few lines I knew this book would be hard to set down. Right away the book starts with an onslaught of soldiers maliciously terrorizing and murdering the entire town. Yet a little boy and a little girl escape barely holding onto their lives. Then, in a mere kayak, they set out into the Gulf of Mexico and sail towards America. Facing incredible odds they have no idea if they will make it to America alive. Every storm was brought into play as a threat to the young children's life. Their lives were in the untrusting hand of luck. This is just a brief summary! The plot was so exciting I honestly had to force myself to put the book away or I would never get any sleep! Another reason I enjoyed the book was the life-like characterizations. I loved the perky little sister that seemed to think her whole entire life revolved around a game. I know a couple of people that are exactly like this, and it just amuses me when an author makes the characters have life-like personalities. Then there was the older brother who even I can relate to. He was stern in an "I know what I have to do," kind of way, but he was still kind and funny. I always say to myself, "If I can find a book with the characters having personalities I can relate to from my life, it is going to be a good book," and this was definitely a good book.A final example of why I enjoyed this book was the author's use of descriptions. The vivid descriptions of the city burning to the ground and the sudden, nevertheless continuous, assault of soldiers made me feel as if I was right there watching the horrific event. Then there was the way almost every single wave was put into words. I often found myself rocking because I felt I was on the boat with them rocking in the ocean. Similarly, the storms were described with such imagination on the author's part, that I was almost frightened for my life. Some of the descriptions in this book were downright amazing; all I could say in an awed expression was, "Wow!" Just reading this book has given me a whole new way of looking at what I write, and putting the world into words.I enjoyed the breath-taking plot, life-like characterizations, and vivid descript

Red Midnight

My class and I went to the libary to get books. I think I got the best book. The name of the book is Red Midnight. It was written by Ben Mikaelsen. The book is about a twelve year old boy, named Santiago. Santiago lived in a small village in Guatamala, with his family.One night soldiers burned his village. Santiago woke up to the sounds of his mothers crys. "go, take your sister and run. Go as far as you can, and tell the story of what you have seen tonight!" Santiago took his sister and ran. He spotted his uncle (who had come for a visit), already shot and dying. His uncle tells him to take the cayuco( a kayak ) and sail to the United States os America. Yet, the cayuco is at his Uncle's house. Santiago has about a ten hour journey. He has to be fast and keep out of site. Once Santiago and his sister reach the cayuco, they face a long journeyout on the open sea.Many things can go wrong. Santiago knows that one mistake could kill him and his sister. Santiago learns that the sea does not forgive. Red Midnight is the kind of book were you always want to know what will happen next. I liked Red Midnight because you couldn't guess what was going to happen next in the book. Everything comes as a complete surprise0. When I looked at the cover of the book I thought that Red Midnight was going to be about sailing a kayak during a storm. Well I guess It's true, you can't judge a book by it's cover. This was the best adventure book! santiago and his little sister are always at the verge of dying. this is what makes this book exciting.Santiago and his sister through many obstacles while on their journey to the United States of America.One failed obstacles could mess up everything. The book was written in the perspective of Santiago. Santiago tells a story about his past. I think that this book is great because the first chapter really grabbed my attention.Unlike other books, who's first chapter is usually boring, Red Midnight started out exciting. Red Midnight described the main characters a later in the book. This book showed me thatlife can change abruptley without any warnings.I believe that this book could make anyone look at their life differently. I, for one, rate this book ( on a scale of one to ten ) a five. Ben Mikealsen, the autrher of red Midnight, worded the book perfectly. There weren't many details in this book, which allowed you to use your imagination. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an exciting book to read. I believe that this book is great for people ages nine and up. If the reader is younger than nine, I don't think that they will understand it's meaning. The book is not confusing, but I thinkl that ages nine and over would appreciate Red Midnight more. So, if you ever see this book in the libary, check it out. Bring it home and read it. You will not be disappointed!

Red Midnight

Red Midnight is a wonderful book. It is full of adventure. if you are someone who can't read a book if you don't get interesnted within the first chapter, this will be a great book for you. Santiago watches his family and his village be burned to the ground by soldiers of Guatemala. Santiago is only ten years old. He escapes with his four year old sister, Angelina. His uncle tells him to sail his cayuco across the ocean and tell the United States what has happened. Santiago and Angelina first have to find their Uncle's house without being seen. when they finally arrive, their Uncle's friend gives them food supplies and helps them into the water. He tells them not to be seen, to watch for pirates and they should arrive to the United States within about 20 days. After the 22 day on the ocean, they are too weak to move, there is no land in sight, and they have no more food. If you want to know what happens in the end, read this book. Share Santiago, and Angelina's adventure across the ocean.