39 Clues: Into the Gauntlet

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. 39 Clues: Into the Gauntlet. New York : Scholastic, 2010.

Plot: The end of the clue hunt approaches, but Dan and Amy doubt their ability to continue. Their family history gave them an impossible mission. Yet, they cannot deny it or stop hunting. Eventually, the other teams realize the two siblings have the capacity to succeed where all others failed, so the two find themselves spied on, attacked, and trailed. Eventually, however, they realize the biggest challenges do not actually come from the other clue seekers. Other forces are manipulating the situation, causing Dan, Amy, and nearly everyone they encounter to question the true worth of the family treasure.

Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: The Mysterious Benedict Society series, Thea Stilton and the Mountain of Fire, The Apothecary

Personal Thoughts: Interestingly, the final title of the series plays into the expected and unexpected. The book includes typical social topics such as the individual versus the many, family versus friends, and past versus present. The title also raises interesting conundrums. When does something stop being justifiable? How do actions and values determine who someone really is? Are some people beyond redemption? Additionally, the series reveals the duplicity present throughout the novels. Ethics allow Dan and Amy to find the clues, but it also limits their ability to use them. Parents both encourage and inhibit their children for the sake of perceived power. The clues are too dangerous to use, but they are also too valuable to discard. Also, the book includes the darker fact that people get hurt in such adventures . Children become crippled, adults loose contact with loved ones, and people die. Such sad realities gain in-depth description, causing the reader to realize choices do have consequences that cannot be mended in the next story. Only Dan and Amy's ultimate decision keeps the series from crashing into a bleak, chaotic mess, but the threat of the mess gives the story legitimacy.  The title provides a solid ending to the first series without tainting the capacity for the next storyline.

Currently, Scholastic Books publishes the second series of the 39 Clues, which continues to follow Dan and Amy with the allies and foes they gained in the first ten books.

Judy Moody Gets Famous!

McDonald, Megan. Judy Moody Gets Famous! Cambridge, MA : Candlewick Press, 2001.

Plot: Judy becomes moody again after her classmate gets a picture in the local newspaper. Determined to get featured in the newspaper too, Judy tries to get famous. Lying for fame does not even last a day. A pet competition only manages to show her cat and her elbow in the paper. Even an attempt to set a world record ends with a trip to the emergency room. However, the hospital may offer Judy the opportunity she seeks, even when she does not recognize it.

Genre: Realistic

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream, Plum Fantastic, Something's Fishy, Hazel Green

Personal Thoughts: The sequel extends naturally and pleasantly from the first title. Judy continues to exhibit bad moods, but her reasoning for the bad temperament takes new directions. Instead of merely stemming from an unpleasant summer, Judy's moods spring from jealousy, disappointment, frustrations, and success. Perhaps most pleasingly, she gets her fame unintentionally. Her choice to help someone else anonymously grants her with the fame she wants and the actions she needs to grow as a person. One slight issue also appears from the novel, though. Some of the references, such as box-top toys and Bazooka Joe comics no longer have much relevance in modern culture. Still, the overall tone of the title remains consistent with current trends and the characters remain relevant to readers.

Emma Dilemma and the Soccer Nanny

Hermes, Patricia. Emma Dilemma and the Soccer Nanny. Tarrytown, NY : Marshall Cavendish Children, 2008.

Plot: Emma once again finds herself in a series of dilemmas. She is sure Katie, the meanest girl in her soccer team, wants to replace her. Her parents will not let her and her sister keep Kelly the kitten and Marshmallow the ferret. Even worse, her mom wants to go with her to Washington D.C. when Annie, the best nanny ever, would be much better. An upcoming protest at her father's work offers a solution, though. If she and her siblings go on strike, her parents will have to give into her demands. Right?

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Growing Up

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: Billy Eliot, Fig Pudding, Hit the Road, Manny

Personal Thoughts: Technically, this is a prequel to something I have read, but my readers are understanding, so I think I can get away with it.

Throughout the title, Emma stresses the point of "negotiation." However, she never negotiates. She does not sacrifice anything for her parents while getting everything she asks for. As a result, she seems like a brat. However, her interactions with her soccer team imply she is beginning to realize her faults, particularly in her reactions toward her peers. Overall, the title does not accomplish as much as Emma Dilemma and the Camping Nanny simply because she does not learn or change from her experiences. Still, the following titles recover from the fact nicely, and many of Emma's interactions with her siblings and teammates manage to create sympathetic and realistic effects on the story.

Chronicles of Mistmantle: Book Two, Urchin and the Heartstone

 
McAllister, Margaret. Chronicles of Mistmantle: Book Two, Urchin and the Heartstone. New York : Hyperion Books for Children, 2006.

Plot: Following the events of the first title, King Crispen awaits his coronation. However, the Heartstone, a holy relic proving the legitimacy of the king, is missing. Amidst the chaos following the discovery, a new challenge approaches. A ship of diplomats from Whitewings, a far-off island, claim Urchin the squirrel is the key to their liberation. While Urchin eagerly wishes to help, his king doubts the intentions of their guests. His fears find realization when Urchin, last seen in the presence of two Whitewings natives, disappears into the night. Urchin may be the rescuer mentioned in prophecy, but his actions may have drastic effects on both islands.

Genre: Fantasy, Animals

Reading Level: Grades 4-7

Similar Titles: Redwall series, The Underneath, Poppy

Personal Thoughts: Like its predecessor, the novel plays more on political and social challenges than most fantasy books, which depend on dramatic battles. The change is refreshing, yet not without its flaws. The nature of the antagonists cause the protagonist, Urchin, to have a limited influence on the overall story. Strangely, this does not condemn the book. The other characters enjoy rich description and active participation in the story's plot, rescuing the title from a poor review. Still, readers may wish for the hero to act more heroically, so Urchin's actions in future titles needs participate more actively. Fortunately, if reviews for Heir of Mistmantle can be trusted, he does.

The Avengers and Next Week

This week's reading taught me no director would make an Avengers movie based on the first few volumes. In the first comic, the Avengers assembled to stop Hulk at the request of a group of teens. The heroes, including Hulk, proclaim they will unite. Then Hulk disappears in the next volume. In the third title, he is the main antagonist. The series is crazy encased in leotards. May the movie be better.

Next week, we'll review some sequels to novels previously reviewed.

Sequelitis!

Avengers: The Ultimate Guide

DeFalco, Tom. Avengers: The Ultimate Guide. New York : Marvel/DK, 2005.

Plot: The title attempts to describe the major characters and story arcs of the Avengers in an Eyewitness-style book. Most influential characters enjoy entire pages addressing their involvement with the superhero team. Additionally, the title includes a timeline for the many changes the series experienced. Stan Lee writes a forward to the book.

Genre: Comics

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Marvel Encyclopedia, Hulk: The Incredible Guide

Personal Thoughts: I highly recommend the title for new readers of The Avengers. The comic series itself constantly experiences changes in characters, leading to quick confusion to newcomers. However, titles such as DeFalco's can provide basic information for the uninitiated. One not-entirely-minor detail plagues the work, though. The actual powers of the heroes are frequently unmentioned, leading readers to question the purpose of some characters. Still, for a wildly complex series, the book can provide basic knowledge of the continuity.

The Avengers (Vol. 1)

Bendis, Brian Michael. The Avengers (Vol. 1). New York : Marvel Worldwide, Inc., 2011.

Plot: Despite the warning of several former members, the Avengers are reunited in New York. Almost immediately afterwards, Krang the Destroyer arrives, claiming the children of the heroes will shatter the space-time continuum, leading to the destruction of all that ever was. Determined to stop them, the Avengers race to create a time travel device. However, while the warning seems well-placed after the arrival of foes past and present, Krang may not be as honest as he wishes to appear.

Genre: Comics, Adventure

Reading Level: Grades 4 and over

Similar Titles: The Avengers Vol. 2, Secret Invasion

Personal Thoughts: The story is insanely difficult to follow. The cast of dozens quickly devolves into three groups of four to ten individuals, but keeping track of who is when becomes taxing. Additionally, the time jumps occur within the comic itself, causing the overall storyline to become confused. In the title's defense, however, the images and coloring enjoy improvement from previous prints, while the humor and characterizations maintain the original appeal. However, the story itself seems determined to undermine any degree of comprehension.