Book Reviews and More: The Rescue - Gordon Korman

The Rescue

Kidnapped Book 3

Scholastic Canada

ISBN 9780439847797

eISBN 9780545632935

ASIN B00CFT8D6W

This was the antepenultimate volume for me to read from the complete works of Gordon Korman, but more on that shortly. This volume was originally published in 2006, The On the Run Series was released over 2005-06 and this trilogy released in 2006. Korman published the 9 volumes featuring the Falconers over 2 years and only 1 other volume (Born To Rock) released between 2007 and the beginning of 2007. When I picked up book 1 to read as the next Korman book to read I was unaware it was related to a different series. So in a way starting this is a bit of a spoiler for me. Because of that I waited until I had read all 6 books in the On The Run Series before returning to this volume. This series continues sometime shortly after the On The Run Series. The books in that series are:

Chasing the Falconers

The Fugitive Factor

Now You See Them, Now You Don't

The Stowaway Solution

Public Enemies

Hunting the Hunter

And the volumes in this series are:

The Abduction

The Search

The Rescue

In the summer of 2022, Korman published his 100th book. Yes you read that correctly, his hundredth book. As of the summer of 2025 Korman has published 109 books. And has one planned for release early next year. Over the last few years he has published 2 volumes each year, one early winter and one in the summer. With each that I read I am entertained and often challenged.

My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Since then I have read 100 of his books. As of the reading of this volume I am down to 2 of his volumes to read, they are the last in the Swindle Series and MacDonald Hall Series. 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 Korman’s canon.

The description of this volume is:

“The startling conclusion to Gordon Korman's adventure trilogy.Aiden Falconer and FBI Agent Harris are closing in the people who kidnapped Aiden’s sister, Meg. There’s just one hitch: Meg is trying to escape from them on her own, and is never where she’s supposed to be. As tension mounts and the net tightens, only one thing is clear: The kidnappers aren’t going down without a fight. Before, it was Meg who was in trouble. Now both Meg and Aiden are in grave danger."

Unlike many of Korman’s books the chapters do not have titles. The Falconers have got their lives back, the parents are out of prison, they are trying to return to normal life, and all of a sudden Meg is kidnapped. Aiden believes Meg has sent clues and a news story alerts him to the fact. But no one will listen to him. So, he decided to take action. Now Aiden is with the FBI agent who originally pursued his parents. Meg has escaped, and a blizzard is headed into the mountains. This story has it all, secret messages through telephone lines, the kids using tips from their dad’s fiction stories again. Snowmobiles, quad runners, icy streams, and even a black bear or 2. Oh and let’s not forget a twist or two and a double cross or two. Man! What an excellent conclusion to this series.

According to Goodreads at the time of writing this review there are 11 editions of this volume. But only the eBook and audio book are still in print. Like the series this continues from this story is a darker than many of Korman’s offerings. It has a breakneck pace. The characters are masterfully written, and this second series with the same characters is powerful. You will find yourself pulled into the story and deeply invested, especially if you have read the preceding series. It is a story young readers will love! Another excellent read from Korman’s masterful pen! I can easily recommend this book, this series and both series featuring the Falconers.

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)