Module 9: 39 Clues. The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

Citation:

Riordan, Rick. (2008). 39 clues: The maze of bones. New York, N.Y.: Scholastic, Inc.

Summary:

The Cahill family tree extends to many different families. All of these families and relatives are summoned to attend Grace Cahill’s funeral. Grace Cahill was an incredibly wealthy woman and many of the family want to inherit her money. As with many families there are many different personalities and some are quite evil. Amy and Dan Cahill (brother and sister) are the main characters. Amy and Dan are orphans who are cared for by their Aunt and she keeps them in an apartment across town with an au pair. While at the funeral they are invited to attend the reading of the will, not everyone is. They are told they can take 1 million dollars or take the clue. There are a few others in the will and they have the same option. Most take the clue and then the adventure begins.

Dan and Amy go through a series of events and many different clues trying to find the Maze of Bones. They discover that there are many famous Cahill’s in the history of time. Benjamin Franklin was a Cahill and has left many clues in his writings and even in portraits of himself to help lead them to the next clue. Dan and Amy are sabotaged every time they get close to going to the next part of the clue. They travel with their au pair and use books often to find the next part of the clue that will lead them to the next. In the end they are traveling to Austria to find out more about Mozart. That is when we find out that Grace may still be alive, but her plane starts to go down.

My Opinion:

This mystery is the first in a series of books. This book has a wonderful plot with many twists and turns. I fell in love with the book and wanted to keep reading it. I feel that the writing is wonderful and I am excited to add it to one of my favorite reads from this class. I feel that my 4^th and 5^th graders will love this series and I am excited to read the 2^nd book.

Reviews:

Fleishhacker,J. (2008, November, 1). [Review of the book 39 Clues: The maze of bones by Rick Riordan]. School Library Journal via Titlewave. Retrieved by http://titlewave.com/search?SID=543bfa8cd70fa8db19d9c0f1075b73d5

School Library Journal (November 1, 2008) Gr 4-7-When their beloved Aunt Grace dies, Dan, 11, and Amy, 14-along with other Cahill descendants-are faced with an unusual choice: inherit one million dollars or participate in a perilous treasure hunt. Cahills have determined the course of history for centuries, and this quest's outcome will bring the victors untoward power and affect all of humankind. Against the wishes of nasty Aunt Beatrice, their reluctant guardian since their parents' deaths, Dan and Amy accept the challenge, convincing their college-age au pair to serve as designated adult. Pitted against other Cahill teams, who will stop at nothing to win, the siblings decipher the first of 39 clues and are soon hot on the historical trail of family member Ben Franklin to unearth the next secret. Adeptly incorporating a genuine kids' perspective, the narrative unfolds like a boulder rolling downhill and keeps readers glued to the pages. As the siblings work together to solve puzzles and survive dangers, they develop into well-drawn individuals with their own strengths and personalities. Supporting Cahill cast members come across as intentionally exaggerated caricatures, adding to the tale's breathless fun. The book dazzles with suspense, plot twists, and snappy humor, but the real treasure may very well be the historical tidbits buried in the story. Part of a multimedia launch including a Web site, collectable game cards, and a 10-title series (penned by different authors), this novel stands solidly on its own feet and will satisfy while whetting appetites for more.-Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information. Uses for the library: This would be a great novel to have the students do a sequencing activity. I would have the students or I come up with 10 important facts and then we could sequence them.