Book Reviews and More: The Stowaway Solution - Gordon Korman

Now You See Them, Now You Don't

On The Run Book 3

Scholastic Canada

ISBN 9780439651387

eISBN 9780545632058

ASIN B00CFT6LF2

The Stowaway Solution - Gordon Korman - On The Run Book 4

This story is past the halfway point of this series but as I discovered previously there is a second series with the same characters, the Kidnapped series has another three volumes, so you could see this as the fourth of 9 stories featuring the Falconer's.

A few years ago in the summer of 2022, Korman published his 100th book. Yes you read that correctly, his hundredth book. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Since then I have read over 45 of his books. I am starting to make a serious dent in his canon, with each one I read I am entertained and often challenged. My son often reads these books to me or with me. And now my youngest daughter has started reading them. I have been jumping around on different series and from his oldest works to his newest. There are so many great read in the Korman’s collection.

My son and I started reading Gordon Korman books together a few years ago, when he was given one as an end of year gift by his teacher. She gave the whole class the same Scholastic edition and wrote a note to each student in their copy of the book. Prior to that I had a read a few of his contributions to the 39 Clues series and had enjoyed them. My son and I have mostly been reading his more recent titles. We listened to this one on a recent road trip. The series consists of:

Chasing the Falconers

The Fugitive Factor

Now You See Them, Now You Don't

The Stowaway Solution

Public Enemies

Hunting the Hunter

The description of this volume is:

“The FBI is after them. So is a killer. Their parents are in jail. And friends are nowhere to be found. Fugitives far from home, Aiden and Meg Falconer only have each other to trust.

But when the chase gets too intense on land and the Falconers stow away on a seabound freighter, things start to fall apart. The crew is suspicious... and a monster storm is on its way. Fate is about to tear Aiden and Meg away from each other - perhaps forever.”

Another is:

“The thrills take to the seas in the latest breakneck-speed adventure from ace storyteller Gordon Korman. Aiden and Meg Falconer are on the hunt for the one man who might be able to free their parents from jail. The hitch? There are plenty of other people on the hunt for THEM, including the FBI and an eerie, hairless killer. After one close call too many, the Falconers find themselves stowed away on a ship -- but the chase doesn't end there. Instead, it moves to close quarters, where every step, every breath, could get them caught.”

Unlike many of Korman’s books the chapters do not have titles, in any of the first four books in the series. The premise of the series, at least from the four volumes reminds me of Conspiracy 365 January by Gabrielle Lord, also from Scholastic but published 5 years after this series. At the end of the volume is no preview of the next instalment, but all 6 volumes published in just over a year.

The intensity in this series just got cranked way up. And it was already pretty high. Meg and Aiden have a close encounter in LA, and find themselves being hunted by every law enforcement office in the area. Using skill, cunning, tips from their father’s mystery books, and their own ingenuity they find a way to slip the tightening noose. Finding themselves in port they decide to stowaway on a ship heading up the coast. But things do not go exactly to plan. And a storm tossed sea causes the biggest problems they have encountered yet.

The brother and sister have a close encounter and even conversation with the FBI agent who put their parents away. They are determined to find the evidence to clear their parents’ names. No matter the risks, or trials they face. To find out what happens to the duo you will need to read this excellent instalment in the series.

This story had some serious risk, and a few close calls, and even being afloat at high sea. It is another great offering in a wonderful series! This story and series is darker than many of Korman’s offerings. The pace is break neck. The characters are very well written. You will find yourself cheering for Aiden and Meg again and again. It is a story young readers will latch onto and be desperate to know what happens next! Another masterful story from Korman’s skilful pen!

Books by Gordon Korman:

MacDonald Hall Series:

This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall (1978)

Go Jump in the Pool (1979)

Beware the Fish! (1980)

The Wizzle War (1982)

(formerly The War With Mr. Wizzle)

The Zucchini Warriors (1988)

Light’s Camera, Disaster (1991)

(aka Macdonald Hall Goes Hollywood)

The Jokes on Us (1995)

(formerly Something Fishy at Macdonald Hall)