false 4 0 false false Sun Jul 26 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Fri Sep 11 16:21:55 -0700 2009 Fri Sep 11 16:35:18 -0700 2009 My kids pestered me for weeks to read this book (and they're still bugging me about the rest of the series). They loved it - and I finally succumbed. And I admit it, they were right.

Kind of 'National Treasure' meets 'Deathly Hallows', The Maze of Bones is an orphan-discovers-they're-special book. The similarities to JK Rowling's world continue, with the introduction of four family lines, all vying for a cryptic inheritance. But that familiarity only adds to the attraction, I think.

This book revolves around Benjamin Franklin (the 'National Treasure' part). The historical facts included are great, though I wonder about where the line between fantasy and accuracy lies. In any case, it's a great place to start a conversation about history.

The cards and online games are an added bonus (and marketing opportunity), but not what drives my kids' interest. Good for tweens, I think.]]>