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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2010 > February > 13 > Entry
The 39 Clues
“The 39 Clues: The Viper’s Nest,” by Peter Lerangis (Scholastic, 190 pages, $12.99)
When the author J.K. Rowling announced that she was bringing her best selling Harry Potter series of books to an end, millions of young readers were saddened by the news. One can only imagine the pain that must have been felt in the offices of her publishers.
How can you ever replace a series that has sold millions of copies with each installment? You can’t. Even so, Scholastic, Rowling’s U.S. publisher, had a plan in place. On Sept. 9, 2008, they published “The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones” by Rick Riordan.
That book marked the launch of Scholastic’s ambitious “39 Clues” transmedia project. They planned to release 10 books over the course of two years. These novels are directed toward readers in the 8-12 age group. Each book has been written by a different author. “The 39 Clues: The Viper’s Nest,” by Peter Lerangis, the seventh book in the series, was just published.
“The 39 Clues” is the story of a brother and a sister, Amy and Dan Cahill. They are orphans who have been thrown into a quest for clues that have been concealed all over the world. These clues will eventually reveal how the Cahills became the most powerful family in the world.
By page 5 in this latest book, we receive a quick synopsis of where things stand from young Dan: “Dan couldn’t imagine not finding the greatest power ever known. Then there was the part about tracking hints left by famous ancestors, like Mozart and Ben Franklin. So here they were, four continents and six Clues later: a 14-year-old girl, her 11-year-old brother, and an au pair whose main espionage training had involved downloading punk tunes and mastering tattoo pain — that is, unless she was really a master spy.”
The nanny is Nellie — conveniently available to drive the kids around for their sleuthing and clue collecting. Oh, and lest we forget, there’s the cat, Saladin, who somehow manages to tag along. The story opens with a wild escape from Indonesia. Their next stop is supposed to be in Peoria but the kids end up in South Africa instead.
I can see the attraction this series holds for young readers. While these children are making their narrow escapes from evil pursuers, they are also doing the stuff kids like to do with cell phones, iPods and laptop computers.
These kids talk and act like normal kids — OK, kids who travel the globe narrowly escaping death at every turn. It is also easy to understand why “The 39 Clues” is a hit with teachers and librarians. The “Viper’s Nest” has solid strands of South African history cleverly interwoven between those thrilling action sequences.
Scholastic’s transmedia approach utilizes various platforms: books, collectible game cards and an online game that already has more than 850,000 users. And in truly Potteresque fashion, “The 39 Clues” has now been optioned for potential movie productions.
No, it’s not, “Harry Potter,” but it’s pretty darned good.
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: escapism
Comments
By OpenMic
February 14, 2010 3:01 PM | Link to this
Mike Peters’ cartoon is up but not the posting area. Could you please help? What’s the point, if I can’t post.
By It's Great in Dayton!!!
February 14, 2010 8:56 AM | Link to this
Raleigh: “39 clues? That title makes a man under investigation very, very nervous” He’s the Gem City’s crowning jewel!! The leadership Dayton deserves. RALEIGH TRAMMELL FOR MAYOR!!! RALEIGH TRAMMELL FOR MAYOR!!! RALEIGH TRAMMELL FOR MAYOR!!! Paid for by The Committee to Elect Raleigh Trammell. Raleigh Trammell, Treasurer.