The rest of the title of this one is The 39 Clues: Vespers vs Cahills. It is the first book in a new series that continues Amy's and Dan's adventures against a new, unknown enemy. Time has passed. Amy is now sixteen, has a boyfriend, and has spent the last two years training. Dan is thirteen. He has been greatly changed by the events of the 39 Clues. He is a loner and much more serious. Amy says that he gets lost in his own head. When seven Cahills are kidnapped, including Uncle Fiske and Nellie Gomez, Amy and Dan must get together with the other young Cahills to try to rescue them. Their first task is to steal a painting of Medusa by Carvaggio from the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. They are assisted by Jonah Wizard and Hamilton Holt. Supplying information back home and trying to find out more about the Vespers are Ian Kabra and Sinead Starling. Dan and Amy's adventure goes from Florence to Lake Como and to Rome. Along the way readers find out a lot about art and the Roman Colosseum.There are clues to follow by looking closely at the pages. Readers will have a code to break on pages 39 to 62. There are also cards to collect and a website to visit which allow readers to have an even more interactive experience. I think that middle graders will enjoy this new series of adventures and be as eager for the next book as I am.
