By: Maureen Sherry
After their father creates a successful new video game, CJ, Brid, Patrick, and their family
move from their cozy home in Brooklyn to a fancy apartment in Manhattan. The children are not excited to leave their home, friends, and familiar surroundings. However, they soon discover a painting behind a grate in their new apartment. As they look closer, the children find that their are clues all around their new home that point to a long-lost inheritance.
Mrs. Senechal says:
This book caught my attention because I always wished that I could have had a mysterious adventure like this when I was growing up! I liked how the author incorporated descriptions of current New York City along with historical information. It was fun to read about famous NYC people and landmarks and the impact they had on the city we know today. I also enjoyed reading some of the famous poems that provide clues to help the children solve the mystery. If you like The 39 Clues series, I think you'll like this book, too. Thanks to Kimberly for suggesting this book to me!
By: Trenton Lee Stewart
Nicholas only knows life as an orphan, and he is being transferred to a new orphanage. Because Nicholas suffers from narcolepsy (a sleeping disorder), he has often been teased. He hopes this new orphanage will be a fresh start. Unfortunately a group of bullies targets him immediately. Thankfully, Nicholas is very clever, and is able to avoid these boys by staying on his toes. In the meantime, Nicholas finds out that his new orphanage might be home to a lost treasure!
Mrs. Senechal says:
This story is a prequel to The Mysterious Benedict Society. I was so excited to see another book about these characters! It was fascinating to hear about Nicholas as a child and how his experiences shape him for the future stories. However, you can read this book first and then enjoy the series! It was fun to read about the many ways Nicholas was able to outsmart the bullies and outwit the adults that tried to get in his way. I also liked that Nicholas used his cleverness to help himself and others.
