First, Wills father goes missing. Second, Will discovers a tunnel that leads to an underground city. Third, Wills life changes forever. Kidzworld reviews Tunnels by Roderick Gordan and Brian Williams.
Tunnels Rating:
Author: Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams
Will’s family is completely dysfunctional. His mother spends every waking moment glued to the TV set, and his younger sister Rebecca has taken it upon herself to perform all the motherly duties. Will only shares a common interest with his father; they love to dig and explore the treasures hidden underground.
Peculiar Holes, Peculiar People
Will’s father discovers a secret hole that emits peculiar smells and leads deep into the earth. Then he begins seeing mysterious, odd-looking people roaming the streets. He doesn’t realize until it’s too late that they’re after him.
Underground City
Will’s father is missing and it’s up to Will to get him back. He and his new friend, Chester, explore a mysterious tunnel that they discover while digging. When they follow it, they find an underground world complete with massive tunnels, a train and an entire city carved out of the earth itself. But it’s a dangerous place for intruders, and Will and Chester quickly find themselves held captive by the unforgiving Styx.
Hostage
During his time held hostage underground, Will learns that there’s a reason he and his family have nothing in common. Will is forced to face a shocking truth. And he must make a life-changing decision, one that will either lead him to his demise, or force him to bear a lifelong burden.
The Bottom Line
Tunnels by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams is a very long book. While the looming moral decisions make this book intense, it tends to drag in certain areas. It is similar to The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau because of the underground city, but DuPrau did it right—short, sweet and action-packed. In Tunnels, the characters were unique, and many of the chapters will tap into your emotions. But it was just too long.
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