Kenneth Oppel writes children’s and young-adult adventure that moves between animal fantasy, steampunk-like airships and science fiction. Silverwing follows Shade, a young bat separated from his colony whose journey becomes part of a larger conflict among bats, owls and other creatures. Airborn introduces cabin boy Matt Cruse aboard a luxury airship, where exploration, pirates and strange airborne life create a fast historical-fantasy adventure. The Nest is quieter and more disturbing, following a boy whose anxiety and family fears become entangled with a wasp-like supernatural presence. Oppel’s prose is accessible and strongly plot-led, but the tone can range from adventurous to eerie. His work sits within middle-grade adventure, animal fantasy and YA speculative fiction. Airborn is the clearest entry for readers who want large-scale adventure; Silverwing suits animal-fantasy readers. Read more Less
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