The Explorer

What do our readers think of The Explorer? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children enjoy the thrilling jungle adventure, the teamwork and the vivid world, and some say they find it hard to put down. They also like seeing the characters grow braver and learn to depend on one another.

What does the Pageticker team say about The Explorer?

The Explorer is a gripping, adventure with a brilliantly wild setting, memorable characters and enough danger to keep even reluctant readers turning the pages. Katherine Rundell combines survival, friendship and big questions about courage and civilisation.

Genres

What is The Explorer about?

When their plane crashes in the Amazon jungle, Fred, Con, Lila, and five-year-old Max are left stranded. Facing the wild's dangers — piranhas, caimans, and treacherous terrain — they must rely on each other to survive. Discovering a hidden map, they embark on a perilous journey to a lost city, uncovering secrets and testing their courage. This thrilling adventure explores friendship, resilience, and the spirit of exploration.

About the author

Katherine Rundell is a much-loved author who writes exciting adventure stories for children. Her books, such as 'Rooftoppers' and 'The Explorer', take readers on amazing journeys to far-off places. Katherine loves climbing, exploring, and learning about animals, and she often uses her own adventures as inspiration for her stories.

Discussion ideas around The Explorer

Working together: How do Fred, Con, Lila and Max each contribute to the group, and what might happen if they refused to listen to one another?

Courage and fear: The children often feel frightened but continue anyway. What does the story suggest courage really means?

The natural world: How does the Amazon jungle seem both beautiful and dangerous, and how does that change the way the children behave?

Exploration: Why are people drawn to lost places and mysteries, and when might exploring become careless or harmful?

Civilisation and survival: What do the children learn about the things humans need most when they are far from home and modern technology?