grandma's bookshelf - The 39 Clues: Cahills vs Vespers Book 2: A King's Ransom

If you have elementary age grandchildren, they likely know about - and have read or are reading - the book series, the 39 Clues. This series of books had children racing around the world to find 39 clues. At the conclusion to this series, a new series began . . . the 39 Clues: Cahills vs Vespers and the excitement of an around-the-world search for clues and treasures begins all over again. The release of Book 2: A King's Ransom is sure to have kids heading to the library and book store in search of the book which will let them know what happens next!


The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers Book 2: A King's Ransom

By - Jude Watson
Publisher - Scholastic Press
Ages - 8+


Favorite Features -

• once again, this book has children traveling around the world - great way to interest kids in geography!
• brings in historic people, times, places and events - great way to interest kids in history!
• I appreciate how the characters Dan and Amy truly struggle with lying and stealing - provides opportunities to talk with children about how they make choices
• clear identification of characters as "good" or "evil"

Book 2 in this series does not disappoint! Dan and Amy once again find themselves racing through different countries as they try to stay alive, keep from being arrested, decipher clues and find the treasures which will potentially save the lives of their cousins and friends and lead to their freedom. This story reveals Atticus as a Guardian; this is sure to play a big part in the next book, Book 3: The Dead of Night releasing on March 27, 2012 - no doubt children are sure to think it is a very long time to wait for book 3 as they finish reading Book 2! 

As your grandchildren read these books be sure to talk with them about situational ethics. Ask them what they would do if they were Dan or Amy and were told to steal historic treasures to save the lives of other people. I'm happy to see a series of books kids want to read which so clearly identifies right and wrong and good and evil so while it isn't "christian fiction" it certainly does provide the opportunity for grandparents and parents to have important conversations with their grandchildren/children as they read these books!