The Ring of McAllister: A Score-Raising Mystery Featuring 1,046 Must-Know SAT Vocabulary Words

by Robert Marantz

The Ring of McAllister

* Over 1,000 frequently seen SAT words in an engaging novel format
* Each word defined at the bottom of each page

* Glossary of SAT words at the back
* Sample exercises to show students how vocabulary is tested on the SAT

Genres: Mystery

352 pages, Paperback

First published November 16, 2004

Reviews

[Ann Haarlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ring of McAllister, a suspenseful, mysterious narrative, by Robert Marantz, features the strangest summer break anyone can imagine. Robert Marantz relays the message that all people will have something to hide, even the most honest. This contemporary story takes place in Red Fork, Pennsylvania. Seventeen year old Will Lassiter had a life of comfort until the Perez family moved in next door. That was when things took a turn for the worse. Dr. Octavio Perez and his 17 year old daughter, Laura, moved into Stone Manor, Algernon McAllister’s old mansion. To Will, Stone Manor spelled out trouble. While researching McAllister, Dr. Perez mysteriously disappeared, and Will and Laura had to discover the truth about a mystery a century year old hidden from society involving some of the town’s friendliest and most helpful people.
With the way things are described, the author makes the reader feel as though they are there with the characters in the story. Most of the character’s responses and actions because of situations made them believable. Will and Laura were being chased by the police so they decided to run inside Stone Manor and lock the door. They knew it would not be completely sufficient but it would buy them some time. The author also describes characters making them stand out in one way or another letting certain characteristics show more than others in each character. In the book on page 10, Ty(rone), one of Will’s best friends gets described in a way making the reader see it in their “mind’s eye”. “Casting a long, thin shadow as he walked, he spotted Ty near a large maple tree. Ty had grown into a muscular athlete, no longer the small, pudgy kid of his youth. Now, nearly half a foot taller than Will, his baby fat was gone, though his round face still wore the same cherubic smile.” Marantz uses notable word choice and gives a “voice” to each character. Also, the way the author builds up suspense to the very surprising ending really keeps the reader engaged all the way through the book. The Ring of McAllister features 1,046 vocabulary words that are bolded with a glossary, a root list along with an appendix, all included at the back. This book is great for ghost and supernatural lovers, along with people who enjoy mysteries and adventure. Packed with plot twists and unsuspecting changes, this book keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part small-town teen drama, part paranormal mystery.

I didn't read it for the sake of the SAT, and it was distracting at first seeing the bolded vocabulary words. Otherwise, the fact that the story was written for the sake of the SAT didn't detract from the storytelling. I was pleasantly surprised.

This is a short read. The glossary and root list at the end make the story seem much longer than it really is. I also found them almost pointless to include since I found it faster and easier to look up words on my phone than to locate them in the glossary. Maybe it would have been more convenient if the definitions were on the same pages where the words appeared, at the cost of having to flip more pages to finish the story. This wasn't really an issue for me though since I already knew nearly all the vocabulary words anyway.

While reading the first two thirds of the story I had been thinking I would rate it three stars, but the last several chapters were pretty exciting so I think a 3.5 would be most fitting.

[Nathaniel Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

read after state testing, banger book

[Dijonn Salgado · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marantz's "The ring of McAllister" educated me with a fun way to learn vocabulary words as well as SAT help. The book created mystery with words and the meanings of them. The main character was a 17 year old named Will Lassiter who becomes found to the where his neighbor Dr.Octavio Perez disappeared too.The goal was to find out what exactly happened to the neighbor. My opinion on the book is that although it was cheesy it gave me a insight on words that would be used on the SAT testing.

The theme of the book consists of teaching you how to find an easier way to memorize words on the test, but also to know what they mean when you see them. The book used a mystery theme but I can take these words I learned outside of the test and use them in real life as a tool. A good vocabulary makes you seem to other people that your educated and can keep a conversation going intellectually. I like the book for the near future when I take the SAT I can achieve a higher score. What I dislike about the book is that it was a mystery book I'm not a big fan of mysteries. Other than that I enjoy reading the definitions at the bottom of the book. The main character in the book is Will he seems to be a normal teenager who has keen for mystery. He went to a regular high school in what seems like a small town so I could imagine it becomes hard to find things to do. The town is called Red Fork and he's lived there all his life so he knows the town well enough to know when things aren't right. The plot to the story is a manor next to him has been rumored for years that its haunted and Will eventually wanted to look into the situation for himself to see if it the rumor was true.

The book reminds me of the other novels from Robert Marantz. Marantz as a author keeps it pretty much the same as far as mystery or suspense. He seems to stick to what he knows best and that's to write fun stories for any level child to read. "The ring of McAllister" doesn't touch base with me as of connection but in a way it reminds me of an abandon house or some sort in a scary movie that always seems to have a demon like feel to the old house mentioned in this story. Red Fork the town Will lives in also sounds like a historic town in which a lot of horrific things happen in. It also seems as a word to mouth town in which every one knows one another.

In conclusion, I recommend the book to anybody in high school taking the SAT because it will help you with the context they put on the testing. But as far as the mystery and suspense I advise the book to a kid willing to upgrade their vocabulary at a younger age that way when they get up to age it becomes easier. All in all, you want a fun way to study or memorize words check out "The ring of McAllister" from your local library.

[Enrique Macias · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book called the The Ring Of Mcallister is about a 17 years old kid name William Lassiter live in Red Fork, Pennsylvania. William has two best friends Katie and Tyrone and they live in this town were it used to be the country estate of a very rich and powerful man name Algernon McAllister. In the same neighborhood that William live their was a Doctor name Octavio Perez where from no were he disappear and people starting to to worry about what happen to him and it became a mystery. When William and his two best friends try to find out what happen to the dr they go to his house where people were saying it haunted. When they got inside the house they find out that that some other person die their name McAllister died on the maiden voyage. Most of his families live their in Red Fork.
Red Town was a peaceful town but there was time where Mcallister used to get crazy and he stating to hurt people because he felt like he was on a cage . Mcallister didn't wanna to live like that he want to get out of their and go out to the world and spend the rest of his live on Red Fork. Mcallister Live on a Big as house that you could of told it was a mansion and people where scared to pass by their because it was big and it look like no one live their. When His new neighbor moves in Dr.Perez bring his daughter with him name Laura. Mcallister Falls in Love with her and he never thought he was going to feel something for her or he never thought that she was going to fall for him because people where scared of him. A mystery comes out with Mcallister and Laura and at first they didn't care but they realized that it was it gonna work and thats when things start to get really, really strange.
To be Honest i didn't really like this book because its like adventure and in the middle people fall in love and i dont really like does kind of books because at that end something always happen that it didn't suppost to happen. Another thing that i kinda don't like this work because it gives you a lot of vocabulary and it's not that I don't want to learn them it just makes me like think more about what it means there were some couple vocabulary that I had never seen but if your does people who like adventure books with love parts then i bet you would like this book

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Satisfying teen romance. Evil spirits. Plot twists of the century. Oh, and SAT prep?? Yep, this book has it all.

I originally planned to read this book to brush up on some SAT words, and I was expecting it to be a cheesy YA book. On the contrary, this book was well written through and through, and kept me turning page after page to consume it all.

To start with the basics, The Ring of McAllister is one of the only contemporary-style teen books with a realistic feeling relationship. The two main characters start as neighbors and slowly get closer and progress towards dating until they finally get together. It's never sappy or trashy, but rather wholesome and genuine.

Besides that the plot is also really well constructed. While you never feel like all is as it seems in Red Fork, more and more clues and details get discovered until the completely truth is revealed, more shocking than was expected. The mystery is satisfying, and makes readers want to follow every twist.

This books also somehow manages to be a coming-of-age story without it hitting you over the head with self-entitled characters or edginess. Relatable as heck.

Side note bonus: props to the Robert Marantz for weaving in all 1046 SAT words without it feeling pretentious or stilted.

I've read this book several times, and it never loses any of its appeal.

I keep wishing Marantz had another book, but unfortunately I think this is his only one.

[Al Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book, it taught me a variety of words I didn't know and had a well storyline. The plot was unique and the author perfectly made the words tie into the story. As a mystery book, it wasn't the best I've read but it's very interesting. The only part I didn't like was how in depth he wrote about Johnny Gunn, a previous owner of the manor. I like the chapter where the Sheriff reveals their secrets about Algernon McAllister and how they were the wrong ones. Another part I like is how Will overcomes his fears of being in the house and solves for himself, the mystery of McAllister.

The book's main character is a High School boy, Will Lassiter, who has few friends. He knows the manor beside him, which was recently owned by the forefather of the city he lives in, is haunted. There were rumors about an expensive ring left behind from McAllister and a girl and her father moves into the manor he's been fearful of.During the whole book, Will goes through a series of events trying to keep his friends, make his parents proud, nightmares about the haunted house beside him, and discovering the ring of McAllister.

[Saahil Sorakayala · Rating 2 out of 5]

Robert Marantz is a second-rate storyteller, and this book firmly verifies that notion. The plot is hard to follow, there are things that happen for no reason that do not affect the story in any way later on, and it is very cheesy. However, Marantz use of the vocabulary words in the book was impeccable, as they had full context. I would recommend this book to anyone who is studying for the SAT. The story is not overly dull, so the words still stuck in my head after reading the book. I highly recommend this book for students, but not much for reading for leisure.

[Jasiel Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is written with the purpose of teaching high school student new vocabulary words and it is strict in its attempt to do so. The book contains a simple plot, few characters and very little else. The story is entertaining enough to allow the reader to learn new SAT words without boring him to death. I would definitely recommend it if you are studying for the SAT but it doesn't offer much to anyone looking for an exciting and stimulating novel.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I typically don't particularly like reading books because I was forced to as summer homework, but this wasn't actually so bad. The general story was amazing, and perfectly aimed at the teens who have to read this book. Still, all the bold SAT words were a little distracting while reading, and I would have just preferred the definitions at the bottom of the page without the words being highlighted.

[Samuel Buncabi]

In this book I learned about Will Lassiter. Will is a 17 year old boy, who believes he stays beside a haunted house. Dr.Octavio Perez moved in next door. He suddenly disappears. His daugther Laura is worried about him, and she asks Will and some of his friends to help.In the end it's life or death? This was a very good book, and it helps build vocabulary.

[Stoil]

A great book for learning the SAT as well as simple recreational reading.

The plot is quite thrilling and teems of supernatural suspense. It can be read within the scope of a few hours save for the time needed to look up unfamiliar words.

This book is among my favourites and I have read it at least three times.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was better than I expected and I'm sure it's a much more enjoyable way to learn some SAT vocab than lists or flash cards. It was a pretty good story and I didn't guess the ending until pretty near the end.

[Patricia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Minutely helpful for those parents who want their child to practice SAT vocabulary. I think flash cards would be a better strategy though.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

didn't think i would like it but i ended up really enjoying it

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very suspenseful and creepy. At the end of every chapter it left me wanting to read the next one. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

[Rebecca A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Designed to help high school readers easily learn important SAT vocabulary in context, by means of a good YA story, I found it a good read, as well.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda cheesy, but a great way to learn SAT vocab in context. Also, includes a glossary at the back.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clever idea, but the story line seems a little immature for the SAT taking crowd.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good young adult supernatural mystery with added bonus of highlighted SAT words with definitions. Perfect for my teen who will be testing in year or two. A very good story that keeps you interested and in suspense.