Star of Stone

August 15, 2010

In this sequel, the four children from the first book meet again in New York, two months after their Roman adventures (Ring of Fire, 2009). They are thrown into their search—this time for the Star of Stone—immediately after Elettra, Mistral and Sheng get off the plane in the United States, chaperoned by Elettra's Aunt Linda. Together with Harvey, the children are in constant motion in this pell-mell, plot-driven story. The insert of full-color illustrations includes maps, copies of documents and photos of places and provides clues and concrete knowledge that supports the plot. Readers learn more about the lives of the four primary characters in this episode, while, as in the first book, most of the secondary characters—villains and guardian adults who include a Russian antiquarian and a group of Seneca tribesmen—are tools of the plot and rarely rise above genre stereotype. The back story is skillfully integrated, the plot is ultra-suspenseful, there is a budding romance and the ending is both exciting and satisfying. Message to the publisher: Bring on the next volume soon. (Adventure. 12 & up)

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November 1, 2010

Gr 5-9-This second book in the series reunites the four children who need to save the world, this time bringing them together in Harvey's home city of New York. When Harvey realizes that he is being followed and in danger, he is joined by his friends Elettra, Mistral, and Sheng, and they attempt to follow the clues left by mysterious professor Alfred Van Der Berger, learning more about their huge task and meeting new allies and enemies. Readers will be intrigued by the Manhattan setting, the clues and codes, and the sense of danger and urgency that follows the characters through their adventures. A 16-page full-color section in the middle of the book provides maps, pictures, and additional enigmatic clues. The translation maintains a consistently tense tone. Relationships continue to develop as the characters learn more about their once-in-a-century task and the group that preceded them, providing realism and balance to the many all-out-action scenes.-Beth L. Meister, Milwaukee Jewish Day School, WI

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