The Encounter: Animorphs, Book 3

My kids (son, age 7, and daughter, age 9) really enjoy the Animorph series. We are reading them in order. Each of the books (so far, at least) is told in the first person by one of the Animorphs (a group of three teenage boys and two teenage girls).This story is particularly poignant because it is the tale of Tobias, an Animorph boy who stayed in his hawk morph too long and is now trapped -- possibly forever -- in the hawk body. Through this tale, we learn about Tobias's struggles to adapt to his circumstances; we see him incorporate more and more of the hawk's characteristics into his own persona -- even as he remains, in some sense, human. (This is the part of the story that will likely appeal most to adult readers.)Aside from Tobias's struggle, the book also covers a discrete alien-invasion issue that will require the Animorphs to work as a team, take on a new morph (fish!), and face truly terrifying situations. These books are fun even for my timid 9-year-old who does not like anything scary. They are fun because it is obvious that, though the challenges seem insurmountable, the Animorphs will survive them.The stories do build on each other. We are now reading #6, and there have been developments since #3 that are being continued in #6. That being said, each story does stand alone, in terms of the immediate "crisis" that the Animorphs face. At the end of each book, the immediate problem is solved, but the bigger problem of the alien invasion continues to require the Animorphs' attention.This series has realistic young teenagers (I am guessing 14-year-olds), who are good kids. There is no profanity, kissing, alcohol, or drug references; the worst thing that these kids might do is skip class in order to save the world. The Animorphs exhibit good character in the face of adversity, including concern for others and bravery.We recommend the series (and this book) whole-heartedly!(This review has been approved by Mary, my daughter!)

Animorphs is a staple of young reading, in my opinion. Scholastic has always done right by young readers, and this story is no different. It's a great book to keep in your library for your kids, or guests, or if you're just feeling nostalgic and want to crack open a good children's book.

I loved the bird's eye view of this story portrayed by Tobias! This is a good read for people who are into psychological input in stories! Tobias has some very adult thought processes during this story and his emotions can be related to children who don't quite fit in around their peers like he does. The fact that he almost stays mentally as a hawk is a good twist too. Also, his relationship to another female hawk shows his close encounter with permenaetly becoming a wild hawk and forgetting his friends. The trajedy at the end of this book severs that problem of him having a hawk mentality. All in all, this book focused more on the easily overlooked Tobias and less on the enemy they have to face in this part of the tale.

I got this series for my son for christmas not just these mind you but I hoped to encourage him to read this year too. Its years later and it mildly worked

Not as much action in this book, but it does make one think about life and the things we take for granted.

Grandson likes this series but book arrived damaged.

Love this series, gathering all the books

Love animorphs

Good read for a fan of this series.

As in all the Animorph books, the action happens right away and carries you away with the writers' momentum. You can read the books in order or not because each stands alone and carries the premise throughout each book. If you enjoy a fast-paced adventure story this is the series for you.

Very fast shipping only ordered this yesterday and I got it today. Looks like what is sold.

My 8 year old daughter loved the series ever since she came across it in her classroom library.

I thought I was ordering a paper book.turns out it was an ebook that I can't access. I wanted a physical book for my grand daughter