Getting Air

By Dan Gutman

Book Overview

They can rule the half-pipe, but can they survive this? Jimmy, David, and Henry are psyched. It's summer, school's out, and they are on their way to California, where they will be able to do some major skating. But on the plane, the unthinkable happens: They are hijacked by terrorists. As frightened as they may be, they take action and they succeed. Sort of. They may have beaten the terrorists, but now their plane has crashed in the middle of nowhere and all of a sudden, their summer vacation is about finding food, shelter, and a rescue. Can three normal twelve-year-old boys find a way to get by without fast food and skate parks?

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689876807
• ISBN13: 9780689876806
• Release Date: April 2007
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

A Fourth Grade Student Review

Getting Air is about 3 twelve year old kids who ride on a plane during summer vacation and are heading to California for some major skating. But instead, their plane gets hijacked by terrorists. It's hard to survive when your plane has knifes, guns, and people that threaten to kill you if you get up or try to call somebody. If you like action, get this book and read it! You'll be sorry if you don't! Another great tale by Dan Gutman. Full of action and a GREAT read. ~Cheesy

Skate Board Adventures

My 9-year-old grandson and I are reading this book together. He does not like to read, so I search for books that might interest him. He seems to like this one although the romantic fantasies of the protagonist (it's ok, parents; they are "G-rated" adolescent daydreams) may be a little advanced for him. However, we bought the book on the recommendation of another 9-year-old who couldn't put it down. It's easy reading and a fun book so far. Service of the seller was as promised. The book is in excellent condition and arrived promptly.

Anything You Would Want in a Book

Getting Air contains everything anyone would want: Comedy, Action, Romance, Drama and you'll be so surprised it might even be a thriller. The book is about a kid named Jimmy Zimmerman who makes a skateboarding club called The Wood Pushers with his two best friends: Henry and David. He is on his way to California to do some serious skateboarding. He's flying by himself with The Wood Pushers and his little sister Julia. On his way he encounters four unfriendly hijackers, the love of his life, and some very friendly old ladies on their way to a knitting convention. I strongly recommend this book. Dan Gutman did a great job of making it entertaining! Austin 4th grade

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Jimmy, David, and Henry are off to do what they do best - skateboard. They call themselves the Woodpushers. On a plane headed to California, they hope to skate their way into the money-filled pockets of some big-league sponsors. Along for the ride is Jimmy's younger sister, Julia, and a plane full of old ladies headed for a knitting convention. The Woodpushers' big plans are dramatically detoured when four terrorists hijack the plane. All of the passengers ban together to overpower the hijackers, but unfortunately the pilot and co-pilot don't make it. With no one able to fly the plane, Henry uses the knowledge from his one flying lesson to crash-land the group in the deep woods of Canada. The six survivors include the three skateboarders, sister Julia, one stewardess, and Mrs. Herschel, an 80-year-old knitter. Thanks to the amazing knowledge of Jimmy's sister, Julia, the group is able to start a fire and find water and food to survive. Readers will be entertained by crazy antics, a few scary moments, and the group's efforts to get along in a stressful situation. Although the story is pretty unrealistic, most reluctant readers should find it entertaining and fast-paced. GETTING AIR is a fun summer read or one that will make returning to school next fall a bit more enjoyable. This one is definitely worth adding to your Dan Gutman collection. Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"