The Thirteenth Circle

by MarcyKate Connolly, Kathryn Holmes Narrated by Laura Knight Keating

Overview

CAT KNOWS ALIENS ARE REAL, AND SHE'S DETERMINED TO PROVE IT.
By studying the Weston Farm Circles, her town's legendary crop circle phenomenon, she'll not only demonstrate the existence of extraterrestrial life, but also win the McMurray Youth Science Competition-a feat she's sure will impress her distant NASA scientist father.
Dani most certainly does not believe in aliens. How can she, when they go against every scientific principle she's been taught? So when Dani is paired with Cat to enter the McMurray Youth Science Competition-which she has to win to avoid going to her parents' artsy summer camp-she knows she's at a disadvantage. Her solution? Disprove Cat's theory, of course ... without telling her partner her true intentions.
But as the girls bond over science, it becomes clear that there is something strange about the Weston Farm Circles. And when Dani and Cat's project is threatened by suspicious forces, they'll have to work together to expose the truth, once and for all.
"Crackling with wit, smarts, spunk, and surprises, this is a must-read for sciencelovers, alien-believers, and anyone who wants to get lost in a satisfying story."-Corey Ann Haydu, author of The Widely Unknown Myth of Apple and Dorothy and One Jar of Magic

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Come for the crop circles, but stay for the friendship—this fantastic collaboration is unstoppably exciting. It absolutely sparkles with two of the most authentic, lovable narrators I've read in a long time. Crackling with wit, smarts, spunk, and surprises, this is a must-read for science-lovers, alien-believers, and anyone who wants to get lost in a satisfying story." ~Corey Ann Haydu, author of The Widely Unknown Myth of Apple and Dorothy and One Jar of Magic

"The Thirteenth Circle weaves real science into a compelling mystery full of friendship, adventure, and intrigue. I love how passionate and courageous Cat and Dani are in their quest to uncover the truth." —Janae Marks, author of From the Desk of Zoe Washington and On Air With Zoe Washington

"Extracurricular meets extraterrestrial. A clever exploration of the supernatural and the scientific method. The Thirteenth Circle is out of this world!" ~Lee Bacon, author of Imaginary and The Last Human

"Remarkably clever at every twist and turn, The Thirteenth Circle will delight readers who love all things scientific and strange." —Juliana Brandt, author of A Wilder Magic

“An entertaining, science-focused mystery that encourages readers to embrace their true selves.” — Kirkus Reviews

"Connolly and Holmes write an absorbing story using factual science and emotional situations that will resonate with middle-grade readers." — Booklist

"In chapters that alternate between the two perspectives, Connolly and Holmes craft a science fiction mystery filled with plenty of twists and turns." — School Library Journal

School Library Journal

01/19/2024

Gr 5 Up—Reluctantly partnered to compete for the McMurray Youth Science Award, seventh graders Cat Mulvaney and Dani Williams are determined to win, but have different motives. Cat is intent on proving the existence of extraterrestrial life and impressing her scientist father. But Dani does not believe in aliens, and she's certain the crop circles that appear in their town every 13 years must have some other explanation. Plus, Dani needs the McMurray judges to find scientific merit in her project so that she can escape her parents' expectation that she'll attend art camp again this summer. So, the young scientists set out to prove two different hypotheses for what could be causing the crop circles. In chapters that alternate between the two perspectives, Connolly and Holmes craft a science fiction mystery filled with plenty of twists and turns. From late night evidence gathering in the corn fields to sneaking into the hotel suite of suspected Men in Black, Cat and Dani end up investigating more than just science. Overall, the story is fun and engaging, but many of the characters' secrets seem inserted only to drive the plot; the story hinges much more on action than on strong character development. Still, the final message of the value of honesty and teamwork rings true, even if some of the lead-up feels thin. All main characters are presumed white. VERDICT A solid purchase for large collections, or where supernatural mysteries are in high demand.—Dana West

Kirkus Reviews

2023-10-21
Two middle schoolers investigate mysterious crop circles.

Dani wants to convince her artistic parents that she’s a serious scientist, but her partner in a prestigious youth science competition, “designated school weirdo” Cat, has an alien obsession that might derail Dani’s plans to win. When Cat signs them up to investigate local crop circles, Dani is skeptical at first, but she discovers that Cat is a pro when it comes to the scientific method. Still, Dani pursues her own line of inquiry: her belief that the crop circles are human made. The mystery may be the main event, but themes of family relationships and self-actualization permeate the girls’ partnership. As they grow closer, the seventh graders bond over social challenges (other kids mock their interests) and parental woes (Dani longs for her parents’ acceptance, and Cat just wants to know that her dad, who’s away working for NASA, remembers her). The girls, who are white, follow their own paths despite criticism from others, which makes them good role models for readers. Well-developed parental relationships are central, as is the treatment of ways the girls grow closer through their shared love of science and how this affects their relationships with their parents and their school experiences. The references to scientific methodology are presented in an entertaining manner that’s grounded in real life.

An entertaining, science-focused mystery that encourages readers to embrace their true selves. (Mystery. 8-12)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940160547732
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	02/27/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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