Danger at the Bottom of the Sea

In this second volume of the “Jimmy Tornado” series, Jimmy and his half-sister Guadalupe take on a new mission. In the previous book, they sensed a powerful but mysterious enemy who seemed to be keeping an eye on them, and this feeling continues. Guadalupe, at 19, is a brilliant young scientist, and Jimmy, 15, is always at her side as they carry out investigations around the world, hoping that one day they will be reunited with their father. In Danger at the Bottom of the Sea, the two are first involved in an underwater adventure to locate a treasure chest in the ocean off Indonesia. They later find and study a fragment of an ancient stele from Guatemala. The third adventure in this book takes place near the North Pole in Canada where Jimmy comes face to face with an angry and hungry polar bear. Finally the two return to Tornado headquarters in Montreal, and some of the truth emerges about the mysterious adversary they have sensed throughout their travels.

Danger at the Bottom of the Sea will have great appeal for students in the junior and intermediate grades. Because the story is in the form of a graphic novel/comic book, there is lots of action and excitement while text is kept to a minimum on each page. The illustrations of Jean-François Vachon will help younger readers understand the plot and get a good sense of the various settings explored by Jimmy and Guadalupe.

The characters of the two half-siblings add both interest and humour to the story. Guadalupe is a scientist, engineer and biophysicist who is strong and capable and seemingly unfazed with the unlikely scenarios she encounters. Her character uses various pieces of high-tech equipment, something which will appeal to modern young adult readers. Jimmy is a gorilla who seems to be a typical teenager with both human and ape-like qualities. He is determined to be a useful part of the team, and his physical strength and speed help the two out of many potentially serious situations.

Typical of the genre, this book relies heavily on plot and action, and readers will rush headlong into the adventures of Guadalupe and Jimmy. The essential themes include adventure and the universal struggle of good versus evil. Some mentions are made about climate change and other environmental issues as well as unscrupulous business tactics, although they are not a major focus of the book.

Fans of James Bond, Iron Man, or Indiana Jones will appreciate the excitement and adventure brought to readers by Guadalupe and Jimmy, and the scene is set at the end of Danger at the Bottom of the Sea for another mission for the Tornado Foundation.