Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Plucky orphans compete for millions in busy adventure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
As THE MAZE OF BONES opens, 14-year-old Amy and12-year-old Dan Cahill attend the reading of their grandmother's will. They don't expect to inherit $1 million each or compete for a mysterious but far greater prize. They choose to pursue the 39 Clues, and soon they are racing around Paris and Philadelphia in search of hidden items that hold secrets planted by Benjamin Franklin and others. The kids can't trust any members of their family, and soon they are being shot at, rammed by trucks, and nearly killed in explosions. How can they regain their birthrights, and how far are they willing to go?
Is It Any Good?
Treasure hunts are an adventure novel staple, and this complicated one has its merits. Co-authors Rick Riordan and Ethan Young make The Maze of Bones fun with engaging riddles. But Amy and Dan aren't particularly interesting main characters. They serve to keep the plot moving, but they are not memorable, at least not yet. Fans of mysteries like The Da Vinci Code will enjoy the puzzle-solving and the secret history. Readers can expect to read at least 10 volumes to get the full story.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Maze of Bones: The 39 Clues, Book 1 and how it resembles current reality TV shows like Survivor. Why are such programs so popular?
How does learning history benefit students? Why is it important to know what has happened in the past and what might happen in the future?
Do you believe in conspiracy theories? Why do people like to read about secret histories?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Ethan Young
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Graphix
- Publication date : April 4, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 14
- Number of pages : 220
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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