Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne

Title: Journey to the Center of the Earth
Author: Jules Verne
ISBN: 1-59308-252-5
248 pages
Barnes and Noble Classics, 2005 edition

While not specifically a book for 'tweens', many of Jules Verne's books have been popular with younger teen readers (including myself at that age) and have been associated with this age group, albeit at the older end of the spectrum.

Description:

Professor Otto Lidenbrock and his nephew Axel come across an old piece of paper lodged in the pages of an old Icelandic book. After deciphering the code written on the paper, the Professor and Axel realize that the note describes a route, through the Snaefels Yokull volcano in Iceland, to the center of the earth itself. The two then decide to pack up their things and make their way to Iceland, where they will begin their journey.

The two adventurers follow the deciphered code into one of three openings in the crater of the volcano, just as the shadow of one of its' peaks reaches the center. The Professor and Axel make their way deeper and deeper into the earth, facing treachery in the form of rock slides and roaring rivers of water until they find themselves in a sort of subterranean world, with lakes filled with hideous monsters and an underground race of giant humans that tend to strange herds in their long-lost pastures. As the two make their way to the end of this strange world, filled with such curiosities as a giant mushroom forest, they are caught up in the current of a powerful stream of water, which they soon realize is headed for the surface in the form of a geyser! After the Professor and Axel regain their wits, they find that they have been deposited by the geyser somewhere in Italy, thousands of miles from the beginning of their underground journey.

Review:

A fast-paced story full of references to old scientific theories now seemingly ridiculous, Verne's book offers a fun and fantastic ride through the Earth's underbelly. While the version I read included a long introduction and a literary criticism in the afterword (obviously intended for older readers) there are many versions of this book (abridged, unabridged and in audio form) that are targeted more toward the younger reader. This copy contained nice illustrations which were added at convenient intervals which added a nice touch to the text. Overall, a really fun read that tweens and early teens should truly enjoy.