Kalifax (Kalifax series)

By Duncan Thornton

Book Overview

A dazzling fantasy tale about a brave crew attempting to sail north to the eaves of the world, fighting snow-goblins and finding Grandfather Frost, all the while guided by the magical legend of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1550501526
• ISBN13: 9781550501520
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: Coteau Books
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.5" x 0.5" x 5.3"
• Age Range: 10 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 9

Customer Reviews

Kalifax

This book is about a boy named Tom who goes on voyage to the north. The people on the ship think Tom is their Kalifax, which is what the elves needed to survive going to the queen at the top of the mountain that reaches the top of the sky. The crew sets of, and the weather gets colder and the snow goblins come and attack the ship, but the crew defeats the goblins. The goblins that do not get killed get angry and freeze the water so the ship is stuck. Tom goes out to find help and he finds Grandfather Frost who takes the crew to his house. Grandfather takes care of them until the spring. Then the crew goes home. One reason that I like this book is from the quote, "And he took Tom up and swept his cloak around him so that Tom was wrapped in warmth and the smell of wood smoke and pine needles, and then the old man carried him lightly down the mountain of ice in six great steps." I like this quote from the story because when Tom is about to freeze to death Grandfather Frost comes and saves him. This quote reminds me of Christmas, my favorite holiday, because of Grandfather Frost, which is like Santa Clause. Also, the detail of how Grandfather Frost smells makes me feel like I am in Toms position, smelling the sweet scents and feeling the warmth. The second reason that I like this book is in this quote, "But Tom's Dad only picked him up and hugged him close." This quote makes me remember how much my dad cares about me like Tom's dad did for him. It shows me how much my family loves me. If I were Tom's father I would have done the same thing. This shows me that the author knows how family is very important. My favorite part of the book is when Grandfather Frost finds Tom and the crew and takes them to his house. I like this part because the crew gets to see all of the things that are at Grandfather Frost's house. The crew also gets to sea the mountain that reaches the top of the sky. The best part is that Tom gets to see the elves that used the Kalifax to reach the top of the mountain that reaches the top of the world. He also gets to see how the queen at the top of the mountain looks like.

Kalifax

Kalifax is one of those wonderful books that can be enjoyed by both parents and children. Children will get caught up Tom's adventure, as he and the crew of the Volantix travel into the far North. The whole central section of the novel, where the Volantix gets trapped in the ice, the snow goblins attack, and the sledges set out and return is absolutely gripping.And if you've ever lived with winter,your heart will be in your throat as Tom sets out to find the Mountain in the cold, alone.But the book isn't all drama. Thornton has lots of fun inventing improbable words to describe his vividly described world. And there's many a smile for adults hiding in throw-away lines....like the sightings of Irish priests in coracles bobbing through the waves on their way to this imagined Canada. (for those who believe that even the Vikings weren't the first to hit North American shores...) Harry Potter fans could try this one! Or anyone who enjoyed Narnia, or the Hobbit.