The League and the Lantern

August 15, 2016
A sleepover at the museum turns into a no-holds-barred adventure when incoming seventh grader Jake Herndon winds up in the middle of a bizarre assault upon Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry during a school sleepover. He and his new friends, geeky TJ McDonald and know-it-all Lucy Garcia, quickly find themselves on the run from a ruthless organization determined to capture them for unknown reasons. Their only hope is to track down Jake’s uncle Gabe, who has secrets of his own. Jake learns that they are caught between two secret groups whose origins date back to the Civil War, one seeking to preserve the Union, the other to destroy it, and he somehow holds the key to success. In this strong debut, Wells offers up a fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping thriller, skillfully blending action, humor, and historical trivia. The three heroes have good chemistry, even if their dynamic is somewhat familiar. While some aspects of the story, such as the level of technology involved, push into SF territory, the overall sense of wonder and excitement makes this an entertaining read. Ages 8–12.