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96th out of 100 books
—
145 voters
Fear Itself (Benjamin Pratt & Keepers of the School #2)
Time is ticking as the countdown to Ben Pratt’s school’s total demolition continues. Ben has been given a handful of clues that could help them save the school, but they are all written in maritime riddles. “After five bells sound, time to sit down.” What the heck does that mean? It’s hard to know where to begin when Ben and Jill don’t even know what they are looking for....more
Hardcover, 204 pages
Published
January 4th 2011
by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
(first published 2010)
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I hate to say it, but this book is just not as good as Clement's first in the Keepers of the School Series, "We The Children". Ben Pratt is a hero at the start, having saved a difficult schoolmate's life during a sailboat race at the end of book one. Ben fancies himself a secret agent, and can't wait to get to the real detective work required to save the historical seaside school from being torn down, preventing the construction of an amusement park. With his pal, Jill Acton, he begins to follow...more
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I decided to read Andrew Clements' new series, Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers School. I've read most of his books and have enjoyed them, as well as my students. I wasn't able to grab the first book, "We the Children," before a student did, but the second book was available. I thoroughly enjoyed it and still plan to read the first book. I'm anxious for the next book, too! Ben and his friend,
This book was an actually exciting sequel and I can see how it is a nice carry over and onward type of story.
Since at this current time, there are no more books to this series, I am left at a standstill, waiting for the rest of the books to be produced.
This story and way more feel good moments in it and the conquering and rising above the "Fear Itself" was a great triumph. I also love how I myself as a reader felt that fear. It was distilled into the atmosphere of my senses and I reacted accord...more
Since at this current time, there are no more books to this series, I am left at a standstill, waiting for the rest of the books to be produced.
This story and way more feel good moments in it and the conquering and rising above the "Fear Itself" was a great triumph. I also love how I myself as a reader felt that fear. It was distilled into the atmosphere of my senses and I reacted accord...more
This was the only "Keepers of the School" book available at the library, so as a fan of Andrew Clements, I thought I'd check it out. I generally assume with book series that each book will have a story arc and be able to stand alone--at least somewhat. However, I was disappointed to discover that this assumption was wrong with this book. While the book is an engaging and quick read (meriting my three-star rating), "Fear Itself" seems more like the middle of a three part book than a book of its o...more
Just before he dies, the school janitor hands Ben a coin with a strange message on it and tells Ben to take care of the school. This odd coin starts a new chapter in Ben’s life full of mystery, messages to decipher, danger, treasure and the menacing new janitor who follows him around. This second book in the series will have you on the edge of your seat. Ben and his friend Jill find a message that could keep the school from being torn down. Will they be able to keep the message out of the clutch...more
After having read "Landry News" and "Frindle", I wanted to read one of Andrew Clements' more recent books so I choose to read "Fear Itself (Keepers of the School, #2)". Though I LOVED the two earlier books by Clements, I found this book difficult to get into. The mean reason I found it difficult to get into, was because in my opinion, this book cannot be read without first reading the first book of the series "We the Children (Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School)". Having read other "se...more
Book 2 in the series-- Ben and his friend, Jill, are trying to save their historic school from being torn down and turned into an amusement park. The school's builder left clues and secret hiding places in the school (a la a pirate treasure hunt) in case the "keepers" of the school ever needed to protect it. The book is different from other Clements' school based books. It is definitely a fun scavenger hunt, and the reader gets drawn into all of the clues the main characters uncover.
The clues keep coming with interesting people along the way. The second book has the replacement will of the sea captain turning up. At the end there are gold pieces discovered in an old fishing tackle box.
What makes this so enjoyable is that none of this is so normal it could really happen. This is the sort of mystery story I grew up with that made me yearn for a mystery I could uncover and solve. I think the juvenile reader would enjoy this story as much as I did.
What makes this so enjoyable is that none of this is so normal it could really happen. This is the sort of mystery story I grew up with that made me yearn for a mystery I could uncover and solve. I think the juvenile reader would enjoy this story as much as I did.
Clements certainly gets into kids' heads. And does a good job of storytelling in the process. Cool 6th Grade characters battle the odds to save their school from the wrecking ball -- with help from a long-dead founder who left clues embedded in the nooks and crannies of the historic school building. Great fun as clever kids outwit money-besotted adults and a sinister janitor.
This book doesn't seem to have a clear intended audience. It is written with a lot of legal technicalities, and is about kids who seem older than they are, but are in fifth grade. The boy seems entirely too self-aware, and the plot seems to milk the story. I was not happy that they made so little progress towards saving the school and then the book was done.
This will be a really enjoyable kids' story - when it's finished. I'd forgotten that Benjamin Pratt is a single story broken into about six books. This volume feels like a section of a book, not a stand-alone story. Which is rather irritating. Especially since Clements hasn't finished writing the series.
Worth reading when the series is complete. Or if you like mystery stories where you get the solution to only one of six clues in any given book.
Worth reading when the series is complete. Or if you like mystery stories where you get the solution to only one of six clues in any given book.
This book was even better than the first Keepers School book. It involved more mystery, introduced a few new important characters, and had conflict that wasn't a boat race. It kept me reading. I like how Jill is evolving as a character and becoming more confident and stronger. Can't wait for the 3rd one. I hope they solve at least 2 clues, though, in the next book.
Book #2 in We The Children is even more engaging than Book #1. Ben and Jill continue to search for ways to save their school and fulfill the Captain's charge. If anything Lyman is even more threatening and Jill is facing complexities in continuing their quest. Ben shows excellent character as he meets challenges on all sides. Recommended.
Better than the first. But whoa-they did one "really bizarre" thing- you know, one of those things the authors makes them do so that the story has more details to it. But it was so "dumb". Read the book.
Also read the review here on my blog: http://www.littlezombies.net/2012/08/...
Also read the review here on my blog: http://www.littlezombies.net/2012/08/...
As good as the first, Fear Itself continues the story of the Keepers and was once again interesting and fun to read. The only negative is that they end so abruptly! This is definitely a series you have to commit to if you want any resolution and each book does not work on it's own. That being said, I want to read more!
I enjoyed book 2 more than book 1. The story picks up pace in book 2, plus you just can't help hating the Janitor, Lyman. The odd behavior from Jill throughout the book is resolved in an amazing show of strength against Lyman, too. Still, a book for dedicated readers, I think.
This book ends with no ending whatsoever. It's more like the end of a chapter in the middle of a book, and that irritates the heck out of me. The writing is good. It's intriguing and compelling, and I liked the story. But these "endings"... awful.
I really am enjoying this series. Clements is such a solid writer that I haven't run into anything he has done that I didn't like. Planning on pulling "The Whites of Their Eyes" as soon as I read the pile I have here at home already :)
I wish the series would finish up a little faster but my kids are really enjoying the suspense. I feel like this could be one book but it was dragged out to be 5 small ones. Overall, I like the story though so we will read all 5 books.
Dec 19, 2011
Miss Pippi the Librarian
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
adolescent-audio-adventures,
juvenile-fiction
Fear Itself is the second book in the Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School series by Andrew Clements. Clements continues the story right immediately from book one - We the Children. The closing scene involves preparations for a boat race. The opening scene is the boat race. Mystery, adventure, and believable characters keeps these tales moving! Clements uses cliffhangers very well in Keepers of the School. I'm at the edge of my seat waiting for book three - Whites of Their Eyes - comin...more
second in the series...i'm enjoying the series...tend to end on a cliff hanger...there seems to be a long time between releases though...definitely need to have read the first one before you read the second
A solid continuation of the "Keepers of the School". The two main characters find more clues and there is some interesting character development and great intrigue as Ben and Jill try to outsmart the janitor.
I am an Andrew Clements fan. I love all his books and this is no exception. I love cheering for Ben and Jill to save the school! I will definitely be reading the next book as soon as I can!
Read this one to my kids. It's the second in a series that seem to enjoy. As with the first book, this one ended with many questions unanswered. Now we wait for the next book.
Good and exciting. The action is ramping up. But I feel slightly cheated because Ben and Jill aren't finding/solving clues as fast as I think they should be.
A great read, but not as great as the first book. I still enjoy the characters, however there wasn't enoght development I felt and there was very little action. I am still looking forward to the other books in the series, but wish for more meat.
When I first saw that Andrew Clements was making a new series, I freaked out. The first book was great and so is this one as well.
I liked this book better than the first one, but I'm still not sure it's the series for me. I like Clements' older books much better.
Great, fast paced mystery. Slightly different than other Clements books, but the story and characters are wonderful.
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I was born in Camden, New Jersey in 1949 and lived in Oaklyn and Cherry Hill until the middle of sixth grade. Then we moved to Springfield, Illinois. My parents were avid readers and they gave that love of books and reading to me and to all my brothers and sisters. I didn’t think about being a writer at all back then, but I did love to read. I'm certain there's a link between reading good books an...more
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