In Too Deep (The 39 Clues) (U)

A hint from their parents past puts Amy and Dan on the trail of secrets their grandmother Grace would NEVER have wanted them to know. Awful memories begin to crowd in on Amy, just as her enemies circle closer. How far would she go to protect Dan? How much of a Cahill is she prepared to be? Perhaps Grace was right some secrets are better left buried.Children's LiteratureIn this sixth book of The 39 Clues series, siblings Amy and Dan Cahill are on the hunt for more of the clues that will ultimately lead to world domination. They travel to Australia seeking their deceased parents' friend and cousin Shep, a surf bum who can help them in their search. Threatened at every turn by the malicious and power-crazed Isabel Kabra, the children brave hungry sharks, poisonous spiders, and a house fire in their quest to become the branch of the family that comes out on top. In a surprising turn of events, Amy and Dan learn the disturbing truth about their parents' death, and a former enemy proves herself to be a friend. Shifting alliances and the sense that the children can trust no one make for an intriguing story, yet the ease with which they seem to figure out the significance of the clues often leaves the reader trailing behind. Despite the fact that they are children, the adult world grants them status as equals, and their enigmatic au pair Nellie facilitates and indulges them in whatever they plan to do to pursue more clues. The main characters grow in their understanding of events but they are not emotionally dynamic. Due to the nature of this series, it is impossible to join the ongoing plot by reading just this one book. Allusions to things that happened in prior books and references to the numerous branches of the family are reasons this book cannot stand alone. Reviewer: Michele C. Hughes