Review: Benjamin Pratt & The Keepers of the School by Andrew Clements

One secret mission.
One secret society.
One chance to save their
school from total destruction.

Benjamin Pratt’s school is about to become the site of a new amusement park. It sounds like a dream come true! But lately, Ben has been wonder if he’s going to like an amusement park in the middle of his town—with all the buses and traffic and eight dollar slices of pizza. It’s going to change everything. And, Ben is not so big on all the new changes in his life, like how his dad has moved out and started living in the marina on what used to be the "family” sailboat. Maybe it would be nice if the school just stayed as it is. He likes the school. Loves it, actually. It’s over 200 years old and sits right on the harbor. The playground has ocean breezes and the classrooms have million dollar views…MILLION DOLLAR views. And after a chance—and final—run-in with the school janitor, Ben starts to discover that these MILLION DOLLAR views have a lot to do with the deal to sell the school property. But, as much as the town wants to believe it, the school does not belong to the local government. It belongs to the CHILDREN and these children have the right to defend it! Don’t think Ben, his friend Jill (and the tag-along Robert) can ruin a multimillion dollar real estate deal? Then you don’t know the history and the power of the Keepers of the School. A suspenseful six book series, book one, We the Children, starts the battle on land and on sea. It’s a race to keep the school from turning into a ticket booth and these kids are about to discover just how threatening a little knowledge can be.

I was thrilled to discover a new series by the author of Frindle (a favorite at our house) and was lucky enough to receive an ARC. Chapter One does dive into the drama and immediately grabs your attention. Benjamin is a very likable, smart young man who is already struggling with his own personal problems and now he must fight to save his school from demolition. Although this was a task thrust upon him he realizes the importance and the urgency and uses old fashioned detective work to begin deciphering clues left by a secret group sworn to protect it.

An interesting mystery starts in this first book but isn't resolved by the end and will carry over to the rest of the series. I enjoyed following the clues along with the characters although many of the sailing references were lost on me. Fortunately that doesn't matter! This is a story that adults will enjoy too. I look forward to following the adventure.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing an ARC of this book.

Author's website

Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release date: 4/6/10
Price/format: $14.99/hardcover
Type: Middle grade fiction
Age: 7-10, grades 2-5