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School Library Journal
Reviewed on May 1, 2010
Gr 3-6 Sixth-grader Ben is racing off to class when he finds the janitor, Mr. Keane, in severe pain. The man gives him a gold coin from 1783 that has been passed down through the years by loyal janitors and can be traced to the first man hired by the founder of Captain Duncan Oakes School. It reads, "First and always/My school belongs to the children./Defend it." A few hours later, he is dead. The town council has sold the school to ...Log In or Sign Up to Read More
Horn Book Magazine
Reviewed on May 1, 2010
The always popular Andrew Clements begins a new mystery series set on the New England coast. It starts with a bang, as the injured school custodian presses a mysterious coin on Ben, making him swear to keep it secret, and dies. Words on the coin lead Ben to take a second look at the imminent plan to tea...Log In or Sign Up to Read More
Horn Book Guide
Reviewed on January 1, 2010
Clements's coastal New Englandset mystery series starts with the school custodian pressing a mysterious coin on si...Log In or Sign Up to Read More
Junior Library Guild
Reviewed on June 1, 2010
Readers will enjoy unraveling the clues along with Benjamin and Jill. Friendships and family relationships feel authentic and ground the mystery in reality. The nautical details in the...Log In or Sign Up to Read More