The Maze of Bones: 39 Clues

The 39 Clues Book Series and Book 1

The 39 Clues book series was created by publisher Scholastic, utilizing the talents of seven well-known children’s authors and incorporating an interactive Web site and Clue Cards. Author Rick Riordan was selected to design the story arc for the entire series and to write book 1 of the series. At 224 pages, book 1 of the 39 Clues book series is considerably longer than the other books in the series, 5 of which are only 176-pages long.

Book 1 of the 39 Clues book series, The Maze of Bones, introduces readers to brother and sister Dan and Amy Cahill and the competitive quest the orphans and their relatives are sent on after the death of Dan and Amy’s grandmother, Grace Cahill. Dan, who is 11, and Amy, who is 14, and the other remaining Cahills learn about the quest from a video recording left by their grandmother in which she offers $1 million dollars to any family that does not want to join the quest, but states, “If you accept, you shall be given the first of thirty-nine clues. These clues will lead you to a secret, which should you find it, will make you the most powerful, influential human beings on the planet. You will realize the destiny of the Cahill family.”

From then on, The Maze of Bones and the other books in the 39 Clues book series follow Amy and Dan and the other Cahills with whom they are competing as they try to determine the meaning of the clues.

Danger, adventure and intrigue accompany them on their quest as the clues lead them to different places and they learn about well-known historical figures, such as, in book 1, Benjamin Franklin.

The Maze of Bones Author: Rick Riordan

Rick Riordan is known for Percy Jackson and the Olympians, his popular fantasy adventure series embraced by middle school and younger readers. Riordan is also the author of the award-winning Tres Navarre mystery series for adult readers. Rick Riordan has a background as a middle school English and history teacher, which perhaps accounts for the fact that kids not only enjoy his books but also learn quite a bit from reading them.

The Maze of Bones: My Recommendation

There is enough action and mystery in The Maze of Bones to keep young readers' interest. Readers get to engage in some basic problem solving but don't have to do much more to enjoy the series. Reluctant readers may be particularly drawn to the books because of the 39 Clues interactive Web site and the Clue Cards that come with each book.

The books in the series as a whole seem to most appeal to elementary students. I’d recommend introducing the series to 8 and 9 year olds, to give them time to read all ten of the books before they outgrow them.

How Does Your Family Feel About the 39 Clues Book Series?

To share how you and your kids feel about the series, go to Readers Respond and respond to the questions.