The adventure begins with middle-­schoolers Sam and Martina on a plane headed for Death Valley when the pilot, co-pilot, and two other passengers lose consciousness, but the premise reaches way back to the American Revolution. The first volume of the Secrets of the Seven series supplies the setup: seven of America's founding fathers hid important keys and entrusted clues for finding them with family members to pass down through the generations. Strangers when the modern-day story opens, Sam, Martina, and Theo join forces on the perilous trail leading toward Ben Franklin's key. They use their intelligence and specialized knowledge to solve puzzles and codes, while attempting to outrun, outswim, and outwit their murderous rivals, led by the ruthless descendant of Benedict Arnold. 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.

Gr 4-6 This accessible series starter involves two children who win a contest and are awarded a summer trip around the United States. Puzzle whiz Sam and history expert Martina join another student, the mysterious Theo, and an evasive adult named Evangeline at the airport. Things immediately take a dangerous turn when everyone on board the small plane is drugged except Sam and Martina. They manage to land the plane, but the danger only increases from there. Ultimately, they discover that the "contest" is something much greater and more dangerous than a simple trip. Puzzle-solving is a key component of their adventures. 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. VERDICT This title will appeal to history buffs, puzzle fans, and reluctant readers. B. Allison Gray, Goleta Public Library, CA