Wade and the Scorpion's Claw

Starred review from July 1, 2014
After successfully retrieving the first in a series of 12 Copernicus Legacy relics, the Kaplan family sets their sights on retrieving the second.Thirteen-year-old Wade Kaplan dreams of uniting the relics to rebuild Copernicus' astrolabe, a time-travel device. However, any treasure hunting must take a back seat to the Kaplan clan's first priority: retrieving Wade's stepmother, Sara, from her kidnappers. Neither of their goals will be easy. The evil Knights of the Teutonic Order will do everything they can to keep the Kaplans from finding either the lost relics or Sara. Wade, his father, his stepbrother, Darrell, his cousin Lily, and her best friend, Becca, must solve a series of riddles to reach both of their goals. Thankfully, whether it is deciphering code, researching obscure facts or tapping their seemingly endless stores of energy, the group members' combined talents seem up to the task. This first in a string of novellas is intended to link each of the six full-length novels in the Copernicus Legacy series. Thankfully, reduced page count does not equal reduced quality. This fast-paced adventure features vivid settings, difficult brainteasers and likable characters. This series continues to deliver on its promise.Mystery and adventure with heart. (Mystery. 8-12)

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August 1, 2014

Gr 4-6-Readers meet Wade Kaplan and his father, stepbrother Darrell, cousin Lily, and Lily's best friend, Becca in this multi-volume series opener. They are traveling on an airplane from Guam to Hawaii, and have become involved in a quest to find 12 relics that were collected by Nicolas Copernicus and could be used for time travel. Copernicus has separated the objects in order to prevent the evil Knights of the Teutonic Order from using the astrolabe (time travel machine) for their own purposes. To complicate matters, Sara Kaplan, Wade's stepmother and Darrell's mother, has been kidnapped. Now the family must find the relics, piece the puzzle together, ward off the evil Knights, and save Sara. Each character has a specific, though suspiciously convenient, strength that allows them to assist in the search. From Hawaii, where members of the Knights threaten, they fly to San Francisco where most of the story takes place. This is a good mystery/adventure book with just enough suspense; readers are never more "in the know" than the characters. Some clues are presented with puzzles, Chinese characters, or a rebus. The plot moves quickly, doesn't have too much blood and gore, and ends on an exciting note that will leave kids excited for the next installment.-Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City

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