I was pleasantly surprised at the honest humor in Trapped by Bella Olson. The laugh-out-loud moments lightened my day, and undertones of good morals were refreshing. Innocently witty, Bella Olsen’s novel will strike a note in hearts of all ages. From the vibrant characters to the imaginative plot, young readers will not be disappointed with this debut.
In Trapped, 11-year-old inventor Ava stumbles into a conspicuous lab on the edge of town run by Dr. Heynis, an evil scientist with motives of his own. To escape, she’ll have to draw on her brains, bravery, and new allies. But escaping this unpredictable facility will be anything but easy. She and her friends will have to flee the laser traps, riddles, and failed experiments before the doctor and his experiments get to her first.
Tone and Themes
This book is threaded with themes that will resonate with kids long after they’ve read it. Ava has to rely on lessons told to her in the past, as well as lean on her two new friends. One that spoke to me personally was something that was well demonstrated in Ava: the true definition of bravery. Subtly revealed throughout the challenges in Dr. Heynis’ facility, being brave isn’t being fearless. It’s doing it anyway, even if you’re scared, which is a lesson I believe everyone needs in all stages of life.
Trapped is for sure a comedy set in an action/adventure setting. I busted out laughing at the wry references to pop culture and common stereotypes in fiction. I especially appreciated the clever humor Rocco, a fantastical chicken, brought to the table. I wish he came into the story sooner! While the humor is definitely well-timed, it did bring down the undertones of danger in Dr. Heynis’ facility, making some scenes out of the realm of ridiculous.
Coming into reading Trapped, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect! I’ve been writing since I was 10, and memories of my own co-works with friends occasionally come back to haunt me. But I was pleasantly surprised at how refined this book was! The grammar was polished, and it definitely stands out in children’s fiction.
Character and Plot Development
The characters are especially vibrant in my mind! They each had their defined, even Dr. Heynis. I was impressed by how quirky mannerisms added to the story and underlying motives, even in the bad guys, demonstrated a true understanding of human nature.
I found a lot of plot points especially chimerical. For example, Ava stumbles into a time machine and is landed in a place titled Bella Island. There’s talking dinosaurs and everything is glitter. You can tell Trapped was written by a young author. But I have to give props to Bella for having the bravery to put something she made out in the world! From personal experience, that’s not an easy thing to do.
Age Demographic
As this book was strikingly written by an 11-year-old, the demographic matches it. Younger children will appreciate the innocent charm in Trapped better than teenagers and adults, probably because it’s directed towards them! But some themes that are painted into the story are timeless.
If you’re a teenager or adult curious about what young authors have to offer, Trapped is a great place to start. Bella definitely has potential, and the book in front of me is one step closer to a career!
As always, there’s more to the story than just the cover blurb. There’s definitely more heart to this story than meets the eye. The inventive plot will hook young readers from once upon a recent time to the end, kids will see themselves in the characters. The refreshing, hilarious humor is not to be missed as well. Come into Trapped as a comedy, and you’ll love it! Hopefully you decide to give this book a try. You can order Trapped here.
