PAY attention because this could get confusing.
Clarice Bean, one of author Lauren Child's (you may know her as the creator of Charlie & Lola) chapter book characters, likes to read books about Ruby Redfort, who bears a strong resemblance to Nancy Drew.
Now Child has written a new book about Clarice's favourite fictional character. Still with me?
Ruby Redfort is not your average 13-year-old; she's a genius code breaker and newly recruited undercover agent. If you like feisty heroines and top secret gadget-laden missions, this is the book for you. When Ruby starts receiving secret messages and anonymous phone calls, and her house is burgled and the housekeeper disappears, her naturally suspicious mind itches to find the solution linking all these incidents together.
Little does Ruby know that the force behind it all is Spectrum, a top secret spy organization which is counting on her to solve their biggest and most dangerous case yet.
Together with her crimebusting pal Clancy Drew and new butler (and secret agent) Hitch, they must outwit the nefarious forces working to steal the Jade Buddha of Khotan before it's too late.
Secret messages via toast, break-ins, daring rescues and life or death situations become common occurrences in Ruby's life and the fate of the world is in her hands (Ruby's Rule #1: You can never be completely sure what might happen next)
This fast-paced, cleverly conceived story will have readers aged nine and up mesmerized from start to finish.
Fans of the Mysterious Benedict Society will appreciate Ruby's unmatched talent for code-breaking.
Likewise, Mac Barnett enthusiasts will enjoy the zany humour and antics of Twinford's first teenage spy.
Ready for your next mission?
Try these cipher related adventures:
- The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity (Brixton Brothers Series) by Mac Barnett
- The Mysterious Benedict Society (Series) by Trenton Lee Stewart
- The Romeo and Juliet Code by Phoebe Stone
- Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
- 39 Clues series (#1 Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan)
- The Secret of Rover by Rachel Wildavsky
- Olivia Kidney by Ellen Potter
- Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism by Georgia Byng
- Edison's Gold by Geoff Watson
Jayme Flexhaug says she is a library technician at Lynn Valley Main Library, North Vancouver District Public Library. If she told you her true identity, she'd compromise her mission. For more library information, check out www. nvdpl.ca.
