Amazon Adventure facts for kids
First US edition cover
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| Author | Willard Price |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | Willard Price's Adventure series |
| Genre | Young adult Adventure novel |
| Publisher | John Day (US) |
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Publication date
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1949 |
| Followed by | South Sea Adventure |
Amazon Adventure is an exciting children's novel written by Willard Price in 1949. It's part of his popular "Adventure" series. The story follows two brothers, Hal and Roger Hunt, on a thrilling trip to the Amazon River. Their mission? To capture amazing animals for their father's special wildlife collection business. The book was first published in the US by John Day, and then in the UK two years later.
Meet the Allies
- Terry
Terry is a friendly Irish pilot. He flies Hal and Roger from Quito to a Jívaro village. His plane is old and the flights are often scary. Hal thinks Terry is incredibly lucky!
- Chief
The Chief of the Jívaro village is kind to the Hunt brothers. He agrees to sell them a special mummified head. He also helps them find a guide named Napo for their river journey.
- Napo
Napo is a brave Jívaro warrior. He guides Hal, Roger, and John Hunt down the first part of the Pastaza River. A big waterfall where he turns back is now named Napo Falls.
- Aqua
Aqua is a young Indian helper. Hal hired him in Iquitos. He always did more than asked. Sadly, Aqua lost his life while bravely helping to capture a giant anaconda. He was buried near where he died.
The Villains
- "Shark" Sands
"Shark" Sands is a rival animal collector. He is known for being tricky and unfair. Hal suspects Sands might have caused a fire that destroyed the Hunt family's animal collection. He also thinks Sands hired "Croc" to cause trouble for their trip.
- Croc
Hal believes "Croc" was hired by "Shark" Sands to stop their expedition. Hal calls him Croc because his teeth look like a crocodile's. Croc tries to follow and trick the brothers. He even steals their boat, leaving them stranded. Hal and Roger manage to catch him and lock him up. Later, the police arrest Croc for stealing and other serious crimes.
- Banco
Banco is a local helper hired by Hal in Iquitos. He is a mix of Indian and Portuguese heritage. Banco is often stubborn and scared. His bad choices cause problems, like when he messes up a plan to catch a jaguar. After Aqua's death, Banco convinces other helpers to run away with one of the boats.
Amazing Animals Captured
| Species | Details |
|---|---|
| Iguana | Lured onto the boys' boat by Roger's singing. |
| Anaconda | A huge snake that caused trouble during its capture. |
| Boa constrictor | Many baby boas were born after their mother was captured. |
| Tapir | A tapir named Nosey was captured after its mother attacked the camp. |
| Vampire bat | A bat named Vamp, which Roger had to feed fresh blood. |
| Marmoset | A small monkey named Specs. |
| Jabiru | A large bird named Stilts, caught trying to steal fish. |
| Wood ibis | This bird was sadly eaten when an anaconda broke its cage. |
| Basilisk | A lizard captured by the enthusiastic Aqua. |
| Electric eel | Used its electric shock to help overpower Croc. |
| Giant anteater | One was captured safely after a first attempt failed. |
| Sloth | A slow-moving, tree-dwelling animal. |
| Armadillo | A small, armored mammal. |
| Amazon deer | Used as bait for the anaconda, but survived. |
| Two jaguars | Includes a very rare black jaguar, caught using a special sticky trap. |
Images for kids
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First US edition cover
