One False Note

Gordon Korman

Book 2 of The 39 Clues

Language: English

Publisher: Playaway

Published: Oct 1, 2000

Description:

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"Elizabeth Kurtz has taken her small son and fled her ex-husband and his mother after finding a file of explosive material incriminating the family. Although the wealthy family employs a detective agency to find her, she manages to elude them. Defense attorney Barbara Holloway has sought seclusion in a cabin on the Oregon coast when her solitude is interrupted by a small boy who enlists her help with his unconscious mother. Once revived, the woman and her child disappear. Elizabeth Kurtz is again eluding searchers, and Barbara is accused of aiding and abetting a kidnapper. When Elizabeth finally contacts Barbara for help, Barbara finds the woman dead. While Barbara defends Elizabeth's housemate against murder charges, she herself is accused of obstruction of justice. Her life is now at risk as she takes on a killer."

**

Super-selling author Gordon Korman sends Amy and Dan off on a wild chase in Book 2 of the highly-anticipated 39 Clues series.

JOIN ANYTIME TO PLAY FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN!

THIS JUST IN! Amy and Dan Cahill were spotted on a train, hot on the trail of one of 39 Clues hidden around the world. BUT WAIT! Police report a break-in at an elite hotel, and the suspects ALSO sound suspiciously like Amy and Dan. UPDATE! Amy and Dan have been seen in a car . . . no, in a speedboat chase . . . and HOLD EVERYTHING! They're being chased by an angry mob?!?

When there's a Clue on the line, anything can happen.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–7—Following Rick Riordan's first book in the projected 10-title series, The Maze of Bones (SLJ, Feb. 2009, p. 58), Gordon Korman has written the second installment (Scholastic, 2008) about Amy and Dan Cahill's quest for the 39 clues left by their deceased wealthy and eccentric grandmother who has promised to reward the winner with unimaginable riches. Those unfamiliar with the first book will miss out on some of the past history, but there is enough background given here to ensure that listeners will enjoy the mystery and adventure. Dan, 11, is impetuous and resourceful, while Amy, 14, is pedantic but brilliant. Narrator David Pittu, with only slight voice and accent variations, brings to life their constant squabbles as well as the threats by their nefarious relatives, such as a scheming rock star and his father, a former KGB agent, an entire family of enemies, and an elderly "gentleman" with evil intentions. The orphans, on the run from the Massachusetts Child Protection Program, are supported by their patient and resourceful companion Nellie and their grandmother's cat, Saladin. Pittu is almost breathless as he describes vehicle races on the road and along the canals of Venice. A lot of historical information is presented about Venice, Mozart, Marie Antoinette, and more. A fun listen.—Edith Ching, Washington Latin Public Charter School, DC
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From Booklist

The multipronged attack (books, playing cards, online games, prize sweepstakes) of the 39 Clues extravaganza dashes onward in this second book. Korman takes the reins from Rick Riordan, responsible for series opener The Maze of Bones (2008), with barely a hitch as Amy and Dan Cahill continue their quest to solve the mystery of their wide-ranging and powerful extended family (a tree that branches from Mozart to Picasso to Snoop Dogg). The siblings’ bickering increases as they hunt down the next clue, but so do their successes as they manage to be always one step ahead of their various cutthroat cousins. Korman dutifully moves the plot from point B to point C but only advances the wider story a smidge, which is hewing closer to the TV reality show The Amazing Race than the puzzle-studded mystery that sleuths may be anticipating. But, if the creators have bet correctly, it matters little that the story is already threatening to become repetitive and only mildly satisfying in itself, as kids will already have too much attention invested in the whole conglomerate to consider bailing. Grades 4-8. --Ian Chipman