The Eureka Key

by Sarah L. Thomson

Overview

When middle school puzzle master Sam and history wiz Martina win a contest for a summer trip across the US, they discover they've been drafted into something vastly more extraordinary. Joining another kid on the trip, Theo, a descendant of George Washington himself, they must follow clues to find seven keys left behind by the Founding Fathers. Together the keys unlock Benjamin Franklin's greatest invention—a secret weapon intended to defend the country. Each key is hidden in a unique location around the U.S., protected with puzzles, riddles, and traps. This has kept the weapon safe . . . until now! Gideon Arnold, a dangerous descendant of the infamous Benedict Arnold, is on the chase.

In competition with Arnold and his thugs to reach the artifacts first, Sam, Martina, Theo, and readers must use their wits to solve ingenious puzzles, escape death-by-booby-trap, and, by the end of the series, save our nation by uncovering many of its greatest secrets.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781619637313
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	04/05/2016
Series:	Secrets of the Seven Series
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.90(d)
Lexile:	680L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Sarah L. Thomson is an award-winning author who has published more than thirty books for young readers, including Deadly Flowers and Dragon's Egg. Sarah lives in Portland, Maine, with her daughter and her two cats. Her daughter helps with inspiration, and her cats help by lying on the piece of paper she needs most.
www.sarahlthomson.com www.secretsoftheseven.com

Editorial Reviews

"History buffs will like the cool notion that descendants of important people are still battling it out (George Washington and Benedict Arnold family members pop up), and readers who are puzzle fans may enjoy being a step ahead of the story." - BCCB

"A good beginning to the Secrets of the Seven series. Recommended." - School Library Connection

"In addition to learning bits of American history, readers will be challenged by the codes and riveted by Thomson’s account of the kids’ episodic, death-defying journey. A fast-paced quest narrative with plenty of action and a gradually developing bond among the three main characters." - Booklist

"Nonstop action is punctuated by a series of puzzles that require knowledge of trivia, strength, and creative thinking to solve." - Kirkus Reviews

"Readers will enjoy the deductive reasoning involved and the high-stress situations the kids find themselves in as they try to stay one step ahead of the deadly bad guys. This story has the feeling of a computer game that relies on knowledge of American history to advance . . . will appeal to history buffs, puzzle fans, and reluctant readers." - School Library Journal

From the Publisher

2016-01-20
After winning a puzzle contest, three young people find themselves in the middle of a dangerous treasure hunt for hidden national artifacts. An exciting vacation turns deadly when tainted water overcomes the flight crew on their trip to Death Valley. Thankfully, Martina's knowledge and Sam's problem-solving abilities are enough to help them pilot their plane to safety. However, neither their chaperone, Evangeline, nor their other companion, Theo, seems surprised at the turn of events. The danger intensifies when Martina, Sam, and Theo are captured during a desert hike and forced to solve a series of puzzles that take them deep beneath the sands. Theo finally confesses that their trip's true purpose is to find treasures left behind by the Founding Fathers of the United States before an evil descendent of Benedict Arnold does. Nonstop action is punctuated by a series of puzzles that require knowledge of trivia, strength, and creative thinking to solve. Sam is the most intriguing of the three adventurers. He is part headstrong rebel and part genius, and his quirkiness is enough to keep know-it-all Martina and bland Theo (apparently the only character of color among them) from robbing the story of life, but it's not enough to compensate for the tired setup and plotting. Unfortunately, this series opener feels far more formulaic than fresh. (Adventure. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews