Episode 39 — 39 Clues Series

Book Chat

Expert Chat

 

Book Chat

For information and to interact with other fans of the series, visit The 39 Clues website.

The Maze of Bones (39 Clues, No. 1)
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Scholastic, 2008

The 39 Clues series starts with the death of Grace Cahill. In her will she left certain family members a choice: they can either take one million dollars or go on the hunt for the 39 Clues. Enter Dan and Amy Cahill. Their parents died in a tragic fire, and while Grace hadn’t been raising them (it was their terrible Aunt Beatrice), Grace was the closest thing to a parent that they had. Amy and Dan didn’t know why, but they knew that they needed to go on this hunt.

Also on the hunt for the clues are the Holts (known for their brawn but not their brains), Jonah Wizard (superstar extraordinaire), the Kabras (evil and rich, especially their mother Isabel), the Starlings, Alistair Oh, and Irina Spasky (hard-core KGB). It looks like everyone has the advantage over Amy and Dan. What Amy and Dan don’t know but will soon find out is that Grace was carefully preparing them for this hunt. With Amy’s research skills, Dan’s photographic memory, and with a tenacity and goodness that the rest don’t have, the pair offers plenty of competition. The race for the 39 Clues is on!

One False Note (39 Clues, No. 2)
Author: Gordon Korman
Publisher: Scholastic, 2008

Amy and Dan’s search for the 39 Clues takes them to Vienna, the home of one of the greatest Cahill family members…Mozart!

 

 

The Sword Thief (39 Clues, No. 3)
Author: Peter Lerangis
Publisher: Scholastic, 2009

The hunt for the 39 Clues leads Amy and Dan to Japan. Although they have learned the hard way that you shouldn’t trust anyone in the race, they need their uncle, Alistair Oh, to help them navigate their way to the third clue.

 

Beyond the Grave (39 Clues, No. 4)
Author: Jude Watson
Publisher: Scholastic, 2009

Although Uncle Alistair turned out to be less than trustworthy, Amy and Dan don’t have time to think about that. They are on their way to Egypt, where more intrigue and treachery await them!

The Black Circle (39 Clues, No. 5)
Author: Patrick Carman
Publisher: Scholastic, 2009

Amy and Dan risk their lead to travel to Russia to find out what happened to their parents. Will it cost them the lead? Is it a trap? You must read to find out!

 

In to Deep (39 Clues, No. 6)
Author: Jude Watson
Publisher: Scholastic, 2009

Desperate to find out about their parents and what their parents knew about the 39 Clues, Amy and Dan travel to Australia to stay with their uncle. But don’t worry, there's no break in the action. Plenty of adventure and mystery follow them to the “down under.”

 

The Viper's Nest (39 Clues, No. 7)
Author: Peter Lerangis
Publisher: Scholastic, 2010

Amy and Dan finally discover which branch of the Cahill family they belong to and, more importantly, that they have a monumental quest: to bring the other four branches together. It’s been 500 years since the last attempt. Can Amy and Dan beat the rest to the 39 Clues and bring harmony to a family that has been split for generations?

The Emperor's Code (39 Clues, No. 8)
Author: Gordon Korman
Publisher: Scholastic, 2010

Throughout the quest Amy and Dan have remained united, but a family secret threatens to divide them for the first time ever. Will they be able to overcome this obstacle in order to complete the 39 Clues and bring their family together?

 

Storm Warning (39 Clues, No. 9)
Author: Linda Sue Park
Publisher: Scholastic, 2010

Amy and Dan are being followed by a man in black: a Madrigal. The Madrigals are hated by the other four branches, and to make matters worse, Amy and Dan think that their parents were Madrigals. Who is this Madrigal? And is he out to help them or hurt them?

 

Into the Gauntlet (39 Clues, No. 10)
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Publisher: Scholastic, 2010

The 39 Clues are all found. Now each branch must put the ingredients together to create a most powerful serum. Just when it looks impossible and that Isabel Kabra is going to take the magic serum all for her own, Amy and Dan come through for everyone. But now that the family is united and Dan has the recipe for the magic serum, who should come into play...the Vespers!

Vesper Rising (39 Clues, No. 11)
Author: Rick Riordan, Petter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, and Jude Watson
Publisher: Scholastic, 2011

Long ago when Gideon Cahill created the serum, he realized its power. At the time he was experimenting for Damian Vesper, the ruler of that area. When Vesper found out what Gideon had made, he wanted it for himself. Gideon gave a portion to each of his four children in order to hide the entire recipe. Each child had a part, together all the parts made the serum. And then Gideon blew up his lab and himself in order to protect his family and the serum from getting into Vespers’ hands. The siblings broke off from one another but each kept their part of the recipe.

What no one knew was that Gideon left an important part of his recipe with his wife in the form of a ring. When Vespers realized that Gideon had tricked him and that Gideon’s wife, Olivia, had the ring, he went after her. For hundreds of years Vespers and Cahills have been playing cat-and-mice with the ring. What is the ring? What is its significance? And what part will Amy and Dan play in keeping the ring safe?

And so Amy and Dan’s adventures continue!

The Medusa Plots (39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers, Book 1)
Author: Gordon Korman
Publisher: Scholastic, 2011

Just when Amy and Dan thought that their quest had ended, they discovered that they were wrong…big time! Bringing the 39 Clues together was only the first part of the journey. Now, they must protect the powerful serum created by their ancestor Gideon Cahill from the Vespers family at all costs. It looks like there will be no rest for the tenacious and smart siblings!

The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers, Book 2 by Jude Watson (to be released in Dec. 2011)

Expert Chat

Gordon Korman and Peter Lerangis, two of the 39 Clues authors, chat about this high-adventure, fast-paced series. They share background information on the characters, discuss what it’s like to write with a group of authors, and give some hints about the newest series: Cahills vs. Vespers!