Linda Sue Park did an amazing job in the penultimate book to the first arc in the series it had some of the most powerful and enthralling moments yet. I do, however, think it has more redeeming qualities than most kids literature and I'm happy to see my boys devouring a book every day or so. The series would most likely be called twaddle by my Charlotte Mason friends. There is some violence (very little, if any, blood) and several murder attempts, but they never work.

I appreciate that they're clean books - no curse words or you-know-what going on. Some of the books are better at teaching the history part, others just barely skim the surface and you don't really learn about the person they're 'highlighting'. But as one son said, after finishing the series, 'Gordon Korman seems to be getting better. All three of us that have read 39 Clues thought Book 2 the weakest of the series. Add in the action, humor and intrigue and kids (and some adults) can't put them down. I loved how they integrated history and geography along with problem-solving skills and code cracking. I thought the premise of this book very interesting. And son #3 (age 8) will be starting as soon as he finishes his current book. One son (age 12) has read them all, the second son (also age 12) is on Book 2. And then because we liked it so well, the entire series. Basically because I'm lazy and don't want to write 39 reviews. I'm going to give a generic review of the series.

I do not pick up a 39 clues book expecting to get sad over unexpected innocent deaths! But oh boy! These things are not expected from 39 clues! He was an innocent person and quite calm in the face of danger and his death just made me so sad. It was so unexpected! Till the last second I was expecting some doctor to come over and say that he is not dead. We finally get to know about the whole Madrigal business and it has started to make sense! Also don't me started on Lester. But oh boy this book offered me much more than an average 39 clues book. When I pick up a 39 clues book I do so for a light reading and to have mindless fun. But with this book I think Linda Sue really pulled it off. I did not think a 39 clues book would make me feel this way. I did not expect this book to be so good, I did not expect to get so engrossed in it ,or feel so much excitement over it. That's why it deserves the 5 stars I gave it, though I really mean to give it 4.5 stars. This was the best 39 clues book I have ever read and that is saying something.

Storm Warning by Linda Sue Park