Jungle Cruise-esque book

[MissGina5]

Hi all! I am a school librarian and even I can't crack this one. I am looking for a middle grade/YA book that feels kind of Jungle Cruise like in nature (think adventurous 1930s!) Anyone have any suggestions? Does Disney have anything like that, I know they have the picture book and will probably make the movie into a book but I am more searching for the aesthetic within a book.

 

[PollyannaMom]

It might be a little lower level than you are looking for, but what about the old Choose Your Own Adventure series?

CYOA - Jungle Safari
Can You Survive - Jungle

 

[PollyannaMom]

Or going the other way (maybe too high a reading/material level??) I'm also reminded of The African Queen, by C.S. Forester.

 

[MissGina5]

Thanks!

 

[BrianL]

Or going the other way (maybe too high a reading/material level??) I'm also reminded of The African Queen, by C.S. Forester.

The Jungle Cruise is totally based on The African Queen, the movie anyway. I don't know how different it is from the book but I'd imagine the vibe is similar. To the OP, The African Queen is a bit more serious, but absolutely has that 1930's adventure feel. The JC wasn't originally full of corny jokes actually so it was probably more similar.

 

[Micca]

Tagging on to the comments about The African Queen--The movie, with Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn, is considered a classic with a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Bogart won an Oscar for his role.

I don't know that a school librarian is in a position to encourage watching movies (rather than reading) but the film is certainly suitable for middle school aged kids. It'd be fun to have a class watch the movie and compare it to the Disney attraction.

Sorry if I got off track there

 

[a1tinkfans]

And the Real ...African Queen was restored and located in Key Largo

 

[bcla]

Maybe a bit too mature, but maybe Heart of Darkness?