Tween Tuesday Review: Countdown

* Book 3 in the Unstoppable 39 Clues series* 

After her last major decision that almost got her killed - Dan, Jake, and Atticus are all upset with Amy. They're still trying to take down Pierce, but no one's happy.

While running from Pierce's goons, Dan becomes trapped. Amy can see no way out, except by doing something unthinkable - something that will put her life in danger. She's rather risk her life over her brother's. 

In making this choice, it now becomes more important than ever that the team collects all the ingredients for the antidote...

My Thoughts:  I love this series - there is so much action and danger that I must read the book in one sitting. I love the plot twists and turns and the cliff hanger endings. I love the family banter and the brains behind the operation. These kids/teens are super smart and they like it. I love books about smart teens who aren't afraid to show off their knowledge. Another great addition to the addictive series.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library

Tween Tuesday Review: Breakaway

* Book 2 in the 39 Clues Unstoppable series * 

Amy and Dan are on the run, trying to track down ingredients to stop their biggest enemy yet. Amy's trying to keep everyone safe, especially since their past is littered with loss of loved ones.

They're trying to read an ancient journal to figure out the clues, but neither the siblings, nor their friends can decipher it. With goons hot on their trail and the media determined to share their location and make them look bad, finding the extinct ingredients seems almost impossible.  This time, the task is enough to make anyone snap.

My Thoughts: While I enjoy this series, I'm getting a little tired of Amy taking on the world alone. I understand her grief and her guilt, but I hate how she's lashing out at everyone and ordering everyone around. I'm sad that the relationship between Amy and Dan doesn't allow them to speak their thoughts to each other anymore. I hope this changes soon. I like Nellie going undercover. I like Pony and April talking to each other. I hope that Cahills and their friends can escape this latest threat without losing too much more of themselves.

Cover Thoughts: Cool
Source: My Library

Tween Tuesday Review: Day of Doom

* The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers: Series #6 *

~ with some spoilers form the previous books

Amy and Dan have just handed the Vespers the last of the devices required. They're waiting for their kidnapped friends and family to be returned to them but it's not going to happen. The Vespers retract their previous deal.

Now Amy and Dan need to uncover their location and figure out what Vesper One wants to do with the machine. They uncover the fact that Isabel Kabra is in fact Vesper Two and she's headed to Washington D.C. They decide to follow her in hopes of learning more before leading a rescue attempt on the hostages.

The doomsday device will trigger a shift in the tectonic plates creating massive destruction. The weather's already starting to act crazy but they'll need to travel once they figure out the plan. Can they stop the Vespers?

My Thoughts: I really love this series! It's full of action, adventure, and danger. The combined plot twists and action make this book hard to put down. After the ending of the last book, Amy lost some of her focus.  Now she digs deep within herself as an attempt to forget the horrors they've helped unleash and to save both the hostages and the world.
I love Amy's strength, even though she gets knocked down - she gets back up and fights. She's fierce, tough, and always ready to kick butt. Dan follows his sister's lead and is always ready to lend a hand. His smarts make him valuable. Together they make a formidable team - hard to beat as they keep trying. I love their determination, their loyalty, and their outside the box thinking.

Just when I thought it was over -there's another series coming Unstoppable

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: my library

Review: Shatterproof

 * book 4 in the Cahill vs Vespers series*

Dan and Amy are still at Vesper One's beck and call. This time they're on a mission to Berlin to steal the Golden Jubilee diamond, part of a visiting exhibit from Thailand. The security surrounding the diamond is almost impossible to break, as the Cahills and their companions find out.

The appear to accomplish their task, which baffles them.  There's too much interference with the Vesper team. Vesper One isn't happy with Amy and Dan from their previous actions. Could he be mad enough to hurt one of the hostages? Amy and Dan will have to walk a very fine line to keep him happy and to figure out the rest of his time sensitive clues

My Thoughts: Roland Smith is an excellent addition to this team. I love the action, the drama, and the danger of this series. I love never knowing exactly who Amy and Dan can trust. I love the relationship between Amy and Dan - their bantering, their arguments, and their love for each other. These books leave me on the edge of my seat and eager for the next book in the series.

I love the time in Timbuktu, especially the moments in the library. I love learning about other libraries. I found the scrolls fascinating. I liked the perspectives of the hostages and how they used the most of their time. I like that readers get glimpses of them. Mostly I love traveling around the world with Cahills learning about different cultures, people, artifacts, and history. 

Cover Thoughts: Cool!
Source: My Library
Fun Fact: This is Roland Smith's first book for the 39 Clues series. He wrote the action packed Storm Runners series (which is now on our Middle School Summer reading list - along with the 39 Clues series)

Tween Tuesday Review: Dead of Night

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun 


*The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers Series #3 *


Amy and Dan are still following the orders from the Vespers. At the moment, they've lost control of the situation. They didn't share all their information. Vesper One isn't happy.


And there are consequences. Atticus, Dan's only friend who is 11 years old, is kidnapped. The Vespers think he'll have additional information. They interrogate him. 


Atticus does remember something, but it didn't come from Amy or Dan. It came from his mother, right before she died. Now he's beginning to understand her mysterious words. It's not a coincidence that he and Dan are friends.


My Thoughts:  I really liked this addition to the series. I love the snippets between Amy and Dan - whether they are fighting or kind to each other. They have a great relationship.  I liked reading the different perspectives with the other family members trying to help locate the clues and perform research tasks. I like reading about Ian's adventure and his decisions. His actions make me curious and I'm eager to learn more about what he's trying to accomplish. I enjoyed reading the perspectives from the family members in captivity. Their drama makes Amy and Dan's situation more traumatic.  I love this series for the plots twists, the siblings' relationship, the puzzles, the danger and the action. I love the historical trivia written into these books. I find them fascinating. The action and danger keeps me turning the page even when I need to stop reading. These books are very hard to put down and I'm happy there's such a short wait time between them.


Cover Thoughts: Cool, I love the stars in the telescope.


Source: my library

Tween Tuesday: Medusa Plot

It's been two years since the 39 Clues search ended. Amy and Dan have tried to go back to normal life. It hasn't been easy.

Amy's been learning how to defend herself - taking martial arts classes. She's broken out of her shell a bit and even has a boyfriend. She's kept him in the dark about the truth of her family.

Dan's had a harder time adjusting. Life seems boring. School is pointless. He has no friends -except one boy he met online. In truth - real life is tame compared to the 39 Clues search.

Unfortunately, things are about to change. The Vespers kidnap one person from each family - and Nellie. They don't harm anyone. Instead, they make an impossible demand of Amy and Dan.

Amy and Dan get the old team back together - the young ones of the family. Together they must steal a priceless piece of art from one of the most guarded museums in the world. Amy and Dan thrive on the impossible tasks, but is this one out of their league?

My Thoughts: The start of a new 39 Clues series is off to a fabulous start. It has all the crazy action and danger as the first series. Amy and Dan are a little wiser, a little tougher, and a littler more determined. I love the art heist. I love the significance of the art itself. I love how the team comes together again. I simply love this series, I'm so happy to have more adventures of Amy and Dan!!

Cover Thoughts: LOVE!

Source: BEA -signed by the author!

This book comes out: August 30th

The next one: King's Ransom comes out in December

Cover Reveal: A King's Ransom

Here's the second 39 Clues series

This comes out in December, while the first of the new series comes out August 30th

I love this series

The cover is interesting - very interesting. Can't wait to read it

Tween Tuesday Review: Vespers Rising

In the beginning of the Cahill family, there was one ring. It was very valuable. No one except for Gideon knew the power of the ring. The secret died with him, but throughout generations, the Cahill family's been extraordinarily protective of the ring.

In the beginning, there were the Cahills and Damien Vesper. At first Gideon Cahill and Damien were colleagues, almost friends. Then Gideon noticed Damien's desire for power. He began to pull away and their relationship changed.

Soon Damien became the Cahill's most powerful enemy. They've spent generations hiding from his descendants and the organization of hired goons.

Now, in present day, Amy and Dan must save the ring from the clutches of the Vespers once more.

My Thoughts: The book is divided into four parts - three ancestors of the Cahill family and then Amy and Dan. Each part is written by a different author. Each contains their own story. I wonder if this is going to be the trend of the new series, as I really like reading about the past Cahills. Plus many ended abruptly, but they still contain the secrets, action, danger, and double crossings of the previous books.

Cover Thoughts: I don't really understand the cover, but it's neat.

Source: My Library

Up Next: Medusa Plot - out in August -really loving this cover!

Review: Black Book of Buried Secrets

The book of secrets introduces several pieces of information already known to readers of the 39 clues, but also adds to the story.

It's broken up by branches including the Madrigals. The branches spill their secrets and some identities of their agents - past and present.

My Thoughts: I love how the authors are the real agents in this book - a great twist. A great finale of the first series where all the material comes together. I love reading about the hot spots of the various branches of the family, the family history, the tricks and tools, and famous members. The layout makes for a fast read and includes great pictures.

Cover Thoughts: I love it! It fits with the whole concept.

Source: Inter-library loan

Up Next: Vespers Rising out in April

Review: Into the Gaunlet

Amy and Dan have an impossible task before them. They must find the last clue, which will lead them to power. However, they also must bring the family branches together to conquer the clue and conclude their mission. They have no idea how to accomplish this.

As usual, the branches of the family stand back and let Amy and Dan figure out the clues. Once the two have discovered the final resting place of the last clue, all of the family descends on the deserted island.

On the island, Amy and Dan try to impart their wisdom of working together. They fail to reach the adults, but they've already been working with several peers. When they reach their destination, they realize they need a member of each branch to continue. Will Amy and Dan discover the final clue and understand the implications?

My Thoughts: Greed, action, and danger each increase as the end of the hunt nears. Although it ties up the loose ends nicely, the final chapter of THE 39 CLUES leaves room open for more books in a new series coming out next year. I've thoroughly enjoyed each and every book in this series.

The Cover: Love it!

Source: Reviewed for www.teensreadtoo.com

spotted: new 39 Clues series #2

Round 2!
I'm excited for this next series. I really enjoyed the first ten books.
You can read more about the new series here from PW

Review from www.teensreadtoo.com: Viper's Nest

Dan and Amy just barely escaped from a deadly fire that killed their adversary, who in a strange turn of events died saving their lives. Now, they're on the run again trying to escape from everyone while chasing another clue in South Africa. They're on a mission to research Shaka Zulu and unravel the man from the myth, plus discover his final resting place. Once again, the search leads them into the hands of Grace's old friends, who offer advice and more puzzles to unravel. Will they find the next clue before their opposition finds them?

My Thoughts: The seventh book in the addicting action-adventure series, THE VIPER'S NEST uncovers a huge secret that raises additional questions. I can't wait to read about what happens to Amy and Dan next.

The Cover: Addicting as the books themselves, it makes me very curious

Source: review from www.teensreadtoo.com

Beyond the Grave

Amy and Dan have once again been double crossed by family members,but now they're on their way to Egypt in search of the next clue. They're looking for a statue that may or may not have already been discovered. When running from Irina, they run into someone who knows about them. They quickly realize that he's the grandson of their grandmother's best friend. The siblings have been questioning the reasoning behind the search. They've escaped death numerous times, double crossings, and back stabbings - surely their grandmother didn't have this in mind when she wrote her will. At Hilary's home, Grace's best friend, gives the siblings presents Grace left in her care. With their confidence restored, the siblings are more determined than ever to see this mission through. Have they been duped once again to trusting the wrong people?

The quest continues and each day presents new multiple dangers. Amy and Dan must lean on each other and their smarts to keep themselves both alive and still in the game. The 4th book in the series doesn't let up with the fast paced action and the series just keeps on getting more and more addicting.

Rick Riordan

Last Friday, Jill (the Children's Librarian) and I went to an outing for librarians, where we got to see Rick Riordan! If you don't know who he is, he's the author of the Percy Jackson series plus the first author of the 39 Clues book: Maze of Bones. He also writes adult mysteries, which I need to get my hands on.

He gave a presentation that included several amusing stories:

This is his first rejection letter: at the age of nine. His mom framed it. She still has it.










This is the manuscript for his first novel. 14 seemed to be the magic number because that's both the number of drafts to make it into his manuscript and also the number of rejections before it found a home. Here's the cover art for that book - it's the first in an adult series.




He wrote this book because his son made him. It started after he told his son all the Greek mythology stories he knew. His son pestered him for more. When he said he didn't know any more, his son demanded that he make one up. Here's the first cover for the Lightning Thief. It didn't make the cut - too boring.

He sent in the Lighting Thief under a pseudonym for fear that his younger readers would find his adult series. That also changed. When he realized it would be a 5 book series, he knew that he had to give up teaching middle school. There was no way to write two books/year as it hard enough writing one while teaching.


Here we are together after he signed my book and t-shirt (never washing again)









Here he is with Jill








I also won a raffle which included: 2 play aways (giving to the library), one 39 Clues back pack (Will be a summer prize) and 2 copies of the first three Percy Jackson books all signed (Jill and I are each taking one and the rest will be prizes for the summer.)

I also have a picture of Rick posing with the 39 Clues book which I will be making into a READ poster shortly.

It was a great day! He's awesome - really nice and funny!

39 Clues: Maze of Bones

Teen Tech Week Reads: Press Play

Two great new books for Teen Tech Week:

GoldenGirl blogs on her school’s page: Bradford Web. Spencer really is a golden girl, she’s got the right connections (down to her family connection of to Grace Kelly) She dishes about her bffs, her boyfriend, chilling with her friends at A-list functions and all the wild times they have together. Things she might mention: her lingering feelings for her ex-boyfriend who just flew back to town, her doubts about her best friends, or her annoyance with her boyfriend's behavior. Things she doesn’t mention: school work, parents/siblings, or much about her past. The only thing she does mention from her past is her ex-boyfriend. Her friends don’t approve of him – he thinks outside the box and doesn’t buy into society. They think her current boyfriend fits her style, her class, and her social standing much better. Now, he’s come back home and she sees him for the first time when he crashes a party. A stranger witnesses the two of them having a moment (kissing). Spencer knows she needs to make sure that secret stays buried. She offers Regan a chance into her golden society. However, Regan's already had a nasty little run-in with Paige and Paige isn't going to make her transition easy. Can Spencer keep her indiscretion to herself or will it become public knowledge?

A great start to a new series that Gossip Girl fans will enjoy.

The Sword Thief is the 3rd book in the 39 Clues series (each written by a different author - so far). Amy and Dan have been waylaid at the airport en route to Japan. Instead of boarding the plane, they're taken to a room while Natalie and Ian Kabra take their place. Nellie, their au pair, has already boarded. Unsure of the next step, the siblings leave the airport only to find a car waiting for them. Uncle Alistair wants to work with them again, but can they trust him? Together they head to Japan using Uncle Alistair’s private jet, along with decoy incase any other Cahills are watching. When they arrive in Japan, they meet up with Nellie and the Kabras. In order to find the clues, Amy and Dan know they have to compromise and make alliances, but they do not know who to trust. Are their lives once again in danger while searching for the next clue?

I'm addicted to this series and while a different person pens each book, they each contain so much action that it's almost impossible to differentiate between the writers. This series has a fabulous online component too, that you must check out if you haven't yet.

Here's a few books on display @ my library.

Crimson Skies

Eagle Strike

Epic

Gamer Girl

Good Girls

Halo

Head Games

Heir Apparent

Hunger Games

Just Listen

Kingdom Hearts

Little Brother

Nick and Norah’s

Infinite Playlist

Notes from the

Teenage Underground

Pilot Episode

The Black Sheep

Thirteen Reasons Why

World of Warcraft

One False Note (39 Clues book 2)

Amy and Dan barely escaped with their lives in the French catacombs. Now, they're on their way to learn more about Mozart. They're not alone in tracking down these clues, but is someone tracking their movements? From the train ride out of France to the escape from Venice, Amy and Dan barely survive. They're not above stealing clues from other Cahills, breaking into hotel rooms, distracting store clerks in order to search their store, and entering the Janus branch's secret underground hideout. The trail for Mozart leads them through Germany, Austria, and Italy and all countries lead them into danger. but they're determined to play, after all, their life depends on finding all 39 clues first.


A great second adventure that left me anxious for Amy and Dan while rooting for them all the way. The action driven plot made me read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. Now, I'm anxiously awaiting the 3rd book. Here's the cover. Cool huh?