The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm - Nancy Farmer Book Review

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Review Summaries

"The book, The Ear, The Eye and The Arm is about three privileged children and their adventures in the large futuristic city of Harare, Zimbabwe. These children, Tendai, Rita and Kuda are the sons and daughter of the prominent military figure, Amadeus Matsika. They live in a virtual palace and are protected with the most technologically advanced security systems in the world. Their father, having seen what can happen to children on the streets of Harare, will not let them out of the house without an escort an rarely lets them out at all. The Matsika family's troubles begin when the three children begin a journey across the city of Harare in order to earn a scout badge. While enjoying a bite to eat, they are kidnapped by three men. They then are taken to a vlei or marsh, where a large woman, the She Elephant, holds them captive. After escaping the vlei, the children encounter many adventures and obstacles climaxing in a chilling encounter with the Masks. The Masks are a group of evil men trying to destroy Mwari, the Heart of Zimbabwe. Tendai, Rita and Kuda defeat the Masks and are reunited with their family. This series of events helps the children mature and start to become the adults they will someday be. The whole ordeal creates a closer bond between them and their parents and helps Mr. and Mrs. Matsika reevaluate their roles as parents. "
Rosella Maggie, Resident Nancy Farmer Scholar

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Overall Review

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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 20%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40%

Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Coming of age Yes
Youngster becomes - an adult (general)
Is this an adult or child's book? - Kid's book (ages 7-14)

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - unemployed
Age: - a teen
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - healthy but a geeky weakling

Main Adversary
Identity: - an organization
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - politician/elected ruler
Eccentric: Yes - mentally ill - deluded - emotionally unstable
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Setting
Earth setting: - medium future 22-24th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed
How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog

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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).

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