We the Children

Andrew Clements has done it again! This new mystery series, set on the New England coast line, begins with 140 pages full of exciting, and sometimes intense, adventure! The action is fast paced! He keeps the reader involved in the story by sharing contagious clues (just as you figure out one clue you are anxiously looking for the next) and if that weren't enough, Benjamin Pratt has the added challenge of dealing with his parents' separation! Whether wandering around the school checking out clues or sailing a dinghy in a big race, there's a big storm ahead for the Keepers of the School and Mr. Clements keeps his readers perched for the next book in the series. I'll be at the front of the line waiting for my copy!

This series promises to be fun! "Benjamin Pratt and The Keepers of the School" is a great start to a series of mysteries. "We the Children" sets the stage for introducing the key players. As a teacher, I love an old school with a mystery hanging over it! Lyman is the creepy character. Ben and Jill are the main students. It is a fast read for an adult (yes, I like to read juvenile books inbetween the heavy stuff), but my first grader could definitely read it. There is sailing, mysterious coins, compasses and creepy janitors. The social drama is kept at a minimum. Overall, the series is promising. Note: This is not a stand-alone book. You'll need to read the next one.

This book feels appropriate for most young readers of chapter books. The two main child characters are fun, honorable, courageous people. Ben has worked hard to become a good sailor, loves his parents, and tries hard to be considerate of the feelings of others. Jill offers friendship and intelligence. Each is good in some subjects in school but struggles in others. While this first book in the series establishes a basic outline for the mystery to come, it also focuses upon the blossoming of a healthy friendship between a boy and a girl. "We the Children" presents dilemmas of economics and development in a simple yet nuanced way. I also liked the fact that Ben's parents have problems, but still love Ben and each other. The illustrations are really charming and a huge strength of this book-- each ink drawing is humorous and energetic, helping to draw the reader into the book, bring the characters alive, and fire the reader's imagination. This is really a great start to a new series. My only complaint is the long delay in publication of the next installment. What's up with that??? This book really is only about the first 20% of a typical novel; it is so disappointing to have it chopped up and serialized over the long term. I think young readers will be really frustrated with the publication schedule, too.

(as read by a 12 1/2 year old boy) A very good story. This is a book with catchy phrases and lots of suspense. It has mysterious circumstances and real characters. A good read for anyone looking for an action, mystery book. The first in the series, the reader is left wanting to read the next installment. A gold coin is given to the main character, Ben, by a janitor in his school, right before the old man's death. This action triggers an adventure where Ben has to find secrets hidden in his school, including figuring out the past of another custodian, who may or may not be spy. This book flows easily, with great transitions from chapter to chapters. The book is a relatively quick read too, as my son finished it in one day. He did feel it is best for 5th-7th graders. It is similar to a solve your own mystery, as the reader learns clues along with the main character.

This book is 140+ pages long and reads very fast for adults. It is neither too long nor too brief for kids. There are numerous illustrations that assist the reader to visualize what is going on in the story. Benjamin Pratt is late for class one morning and as a result, assists the old janitor when he comes stumbling down the hallway. Before he is shipped of to the hospital he entrusts a golden coin with cryptic passages written on it. When the janitor mysteriously dies, the secret of the school and the coin are left in Benjamin's hands. This book gives the reader a little bit of everything. The coin and the mystery will appeal to the history/puzzle buffs and the creepy assistant janitor will appeal to the horror fans. I think all kids would find something to like in this well-written, quick reading adventure book. There is a promise of a book 2 so kids can get into this new series on the ground floor with this book.