The 39 Clues Series is one of the most ingenious concepts in the history of THE BOOK.
Exhibit A: A 10-volume series written by seven different authors. Despite the author-switching, the transition from book to book is seamless, allowing you continue reading without even noticing a change in the voice. The characters remain consistent, though each author has a little something extra to add.
Exhibit B: A crash course in all those boring (yawn) school subjects...but you now realize just how fascinating they are. You learn unique and intriguing facts about topics ranging from art and geography to mythology and history and everything in between. Each of these topics is approached in an extremely entertaining way.
Exhibit C: Interactivity. Yes, you can solve the mystery of the 39 Clues yourself! Each book comes with 6 cards (which are also available in booster packs to purchase separately) that allow you to piece together the puzzle online. In fact, if you are between the ages of six and fourteen, you can win super prizes, including money.
Take all of this, and add Dan and Amy (a moody pair of siblings) who are left with the following choice: get one million dollars each and continue to live with crabby Aunt Beatrice, or run away from her and ditch the million in hopes of uncovering amazing Grandma Grace's big family secret on a whirlwind globe-trekking adventure. Having chosen the latter option, they quickly recognize that they are competing against relatives who are all richer, stronger, and have more resources at their disposal. However, as the complications arise, they learn to use the one advantage they do have— their intellect. It doesn't seem like much at first, but once they begin to see their opponents' weaknesses, they look like they can out-maneuver anything. So do the underdogs defeat the opposition? We'll find out on September 1, 2010 when the final book is released.
Whatever happens, the verdict is in: The 39 Clues Series is guilty of being one of our favorite new pastimes.
