By Bianca Schulze By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: April 7, 2010
by Patrick Carman
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (August 11, 2009)
Source of book: Publisher
What to expect: Mystery, Action, Suspense, Babysitter, Brothers and Sisters, Family, Orphans
Kids from all over the world—United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, and India—are reading this global series that offers a taste of historical fiction.
Book 5 is exciting from the very beginning. The opening chapter holds no recap—author Patrick Carman (an avid reader and thrill seeker) just gets right down to the nitty-gritty action. In the previous books you could jump in and work out, mostly, what the heck was going on and jostle your memory, if needed. However, now you’re up to book 5, you’re at the half-way mark for the series, you’re hooked … and you’re in it ’til the end.
This time, Amy and Dan are in Russia searching for clues—a country that is rich in history. Readers will learn more about Irina Spasky—whose character development has been building—and more about Amy and Dan’s parents. This installment keeps the story going at a strong pace and certainly has me even more curious for how this series will end; kind of like watching a great TV series and hoping that the time you’re investing is going to be worth it—I have my fingers crossed.
About the author: Patrick Carman is the author of the New York Times bestselling The Land of Elyon series, as well as the Atherton and Elliot’s Park series. He lives in Walla Walla, Washington with his wife and daughters. For more information about Patrick Cartman, visit https://www.patrickcarman.com
Add this book to your collection: The 39 Clues Book 5: The Black Circle
Read our review of The 39 Clues: Book One: Maze of Bones
Read our review of The 39 Clues: Book Two: One False Note
Read our review of The 39 Clues: Book Three: The Sword Thief
Read our review of The 39 Clues Book 4: Beyond the Grave
Visit the 39 Clues website to win prizes: www.the39clues.com