Da Vinci Code for Kids
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-- School Library Journal, 01/04/2006
Suspense and intrigue aren't reserved for adults. Kids love the same kind of plot twists and turns that made Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code so popular. These mysteries allow young readers to get completely immersed in a different time and place, without leaving the Xbox or soccer cleats too far behind.
BALLIETT, Blue. Chasing Vermeer. illus. by Brett Helquist. Scholastic. 2004. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-439-37294-1. pap. $6.99. ISBN 0-439-37297-6.
Gr 5-8–Two Chicago sixth-grade classmates, Petra and Calder, are thrown together to solve the mystery of a missing Vermeer painting. Readers are drawn into the story one clue at a time, relying on powers of intuition, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of Vermeer. Black-and-white drawings containing critical leads are provided by Helquist, familiar to many children as the illustrator of Lemony Snickett's "Series of Unfortunate Events." Fast-paced and fun.
PULLMAN, Philip. The Ruby in the Smoke. (The Sally Lockhart Trilogy, Bk. #1). Knopf. 1987. Tr $11.95. ISBN 0-394-88826-X; pap. $6.50. ISBN 0-394-89589-4.
Gr 7 Up–The backstreets and alleys of late-19th-century London provide the gritty setting for Pullman's first title in this trilogy. Sixteen-year-old Sally must put together disparate and fantastical clues in order to find a secret treasure left by her father. Readers will be fascinated by the cast of characters and will root for the heroine and her friends all the way through Book 3, The Tiger in the Well.
RASKIN, Ellen. The Westing Game. Dutton. 1978. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-525-42320-6; pap. $4.99. ISBN 0-14-034991-X.
Gr 4 Up–The heirs of Sam Westing, an eccentric millionaire, must piece together a number of clues from his will to solve the mystery of his murder and claim their inheritance. Even reluctant middle school and young adult readers will dig into the puzzle-filled, word-twisting plot. Raskin expertly combines humor, intrigue, and suspense in this "Clue" type mystery.
Remarkable Reads are produced by the editors of NoveList, NoveList K-8, and Book Index with Reviews (BIR), leading resources for readers' advisory services and collection development. For more information, see epnet.com.
