Summary
Siblings Dan and Amy are attempting to steal an ancient work of art in an attempt to save 7 of their family members, all being held hostage by an unknown person that calls himself Vesper 1. As readers dive into this book they will identify many references to previous books from the 39 clues series. A reader would be able to follow the story line somewhat easier if they have already read the previous books. While attempting to steal this artwork these siblings, along with the help of their attorney, a boyfriend, and a collection of extremely rich and intelligent relatives, overcome obstacle after obstacle. While most scenarios in this story are hard to believe and many coincidences keep readers from feeling involved in this somewhat predictable book.
Bibliographic Citation
Korma, G. (2011). The medusa plot. New York, Scholastic Inc.
Personal Impressions
I had a difficult time finding the draw in this mystery. The characters lacked a realism that many students generally enjoy. The mystery was somewhat predictable. The characters did not face challenges that would have been logical in their circumstances.
Reviews
Ian Chipman (Booklist, Nov. 1, 2011 (Vol. 108, No. 5))
The 39 Clues crew return to the well for this opener to a new series, Cahills versus Vespers. The Cahills, of course, are the world’s most powerful family you never knew existed, and their family tree is a who’s who of the past half-millennium. The Vespers are their secret, centuries-old rival, and now pop up to kidnap Cahills for some sure-to-be-diabolical reason. Dan and Amy, two years after solving the massive global puzzle of the 39 Clues, jump back into action to help save their relations and take down the villainous Vespers. Sure, it is as much a multiplatform marketing ploy (with collectible cards and an immersive online presence to swallow up chunks of fans’ spare time) as a book series, but that doesn’t take away from what it is at its core: a lean, easy-to-like thrill ride with guaranteed crowd-pleasing elements like secret societies, art heists, and heroes with unlimited cash and connections to fuel their around-the-world intrigue. Like the first series, a new author for each volume ensures lickety-split rollouts. Grades 5-8Miranda McClain (Children's Literature)
If Dan and Amy Cahill thought their life would settle down after they completed their search for the thirty-nine clues they could not have been more wrong. After narrowly escaping being kidnapped from their school bus, Amy and Dan are contacted by Vesper One, an ancient enemy of the Cahill family. It turns out that several other Cahill Clan members have been kidnapped by the mysteriousVespers and now Dan and Amy are expected to follow explicit instructions to insure the hostages’ safety and eventual release. The two siblings are sent to Florence where they find out their mission is to be an art heist. But Vesper One does not want just any painting. He expects Amy and Dan to steal Caravaggio’s Medusa from the famous Uffizi Gallery. To complete their assignment the kids enlist the help of some other Cahill family members, in particular, Jonah Wizard, international pop star, and Hamilton Holt, former billionaire. The group manages to nab the painting and make the drop only to discover the painting they stole was a fake. Vesper One expresses his anger at this perceived betrayal by shooting Dan and Amy’s former nanny, Nellie Gomez, eliminating any doubts of his potential for cruelty. Now they are given ninety-six hours to locate and deliver the original Medusa which begins an international wild goose chase that involves help from Amy’s boyfriend Evan and Dan’s online buddy Atticus. The quick pace and edge of your seat drama in this first installment of the “Cahills vs. Vespers” series will not disappoint fans of the “Thirty-nine Clues” series. Although, a heavily violent plot and Dan’s growing inner turmoil add a touch of darkness that may be a bit much for younger readers. 2011, Scholastic Inc,, $12.99. Ages 9 to 12.
Joan Marshall (Resource Links Reviews, December 2011 (Vol. 17, No. 2))
Orphaned 15-year-old Amy Cahill and her 13-year-old brother Dan, heroes of the 39 Clues Series, have solved the puzzle of the serum with 39 ingredients guaranteed to bestow superhuman powers, a serum that was destroyed, but not before Dan’s photographic memory burned its recipe into his brain. Although serenity prevailed for a while, suddenly a mysterious group called the Vespers kidnap key young members of the powerful worldwide Cahill family. Amy and Dan travel to Europe, pressured into stealing valuable artwork in order to prevent the murder of their relatives, while other young cohorts remain in the U.S. to manage the control centre at the Cahill mansion. Amy and Dan figure out the puzzle of Caravaggio’s Medusa and find the treasure to which it leads - an original manuscript of Marco Polo - but they are again betrayed by the Vespers and must re-dedicate themselves to saving their family, even it means re-activating the deadly serum. Both Amy and Dan are complex, three dimensional characters. Amy longs for a normal life complete with an uncomplicated boyfriend. She trains obsessively to retain the physical strength she knows she’ll need to survive the dangers her family faces. Amy keeps her head and stays calm, sensitive to the emotions swirling around her. She persists and approaches problems thoughtfully. Dan is witty, impulsive, and bored at school, a powerful, driven boy who acts decisively and is totally committed to his family. Secondary characters such as their compatriot Sinead the genius, their gangsta cousin Jonah the celebrity, and even the enigmatic Vesper One, are quirky and add to the richness of the story. The action and technology on display in this novel are relentless. The Cahills stay in instant touch with each other as they battleVesper One, who communicates with them by texting. Our heroes are chased, attacked and threatened as they run, escape and disguise themselves - a real spy thriller. Readers can use cards to follow the game online also. Italy provides a sumptuous background for this story, from Florence’s Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze to the markets and the Uffizi Gallery, and on to Rome’s Colosseum and its dungeons. In tune with today’s shrinking world the teens are travel savvy, confidently managing on their own without adult interference. This book screams “sequel” as Vesper One sends theCahills off to Switzerland for Book Two which will no doubt be eagerly anticipated by the fans of the 39 Clues Series. (The 39 Clues Series) Category: Fiction Grades 7-12. Thematic Links: Art; Technology; Sibling and Family Relationships. Resource Links Rating: G (Good, great at times, generally useful!), Gr. 5-8. 2011, Scholastic, 222p., Pbk. $14.99. Ages 10 to 14.
Elementary Library Uses
Due to its popularity this book would be great to use as a way to introduce students to what may be a new genre for them, mysteries. By reading one as a read aloud or in small group students would be encouraged to devour the rest of the series. The cards that accompany the book also entice young readers as they use the cards as clue to help them solve the mystery.
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