I’ve already talked about how it’s hard for me to find books to hold the interest of my 11 year old. It just is. While watching the Today Show last Monday (which I now do everyday since I moved the TV into my office to see NKOTB and only get NBC) I saw them talk about a new book called The 39 Clues. The more they talked about it, the more I realized that this would be right up Matthew’s alley.
Seriously?
I fully believe that authors are aware that there are more things out there competing for the attention of our kids and for most, reading is not as fun as playing video games or watching TV. The 39 Clues combines both reading and the internet for a winning combination.
I ordered the book on Amazon the day that I saw the segment on the Today Show. When Matthew came home, I shared the website with him and he was excited after seeing that through the book, and the website, there was a puzzle to solve, but not just with one book.
From now through 2010, there will be 10 books released, each solving one clue. The other clues must be solved through missions online and the cards that come with the pack (and ones that you can purchase individually).
While navigating the website, we also learned that we can share our cards with friends so we’ve already made arrangements to trade with Jenn and the boys are excited.
If you’re not into playing the online game, the book can stand by itself. But Matthew is just as into the book as he is solving the online mysteries and clues. His cards are organized and he’s excited.
The $10,000 cash prize might have something to do with that.
The book came and Matthew dove in. He registered on the website, determined which “clan” he belonged to (much like the sorting hat from Harry Potter) and he’s on his way. He’s got one clue solved and carries his book, cards, and notebook with him everywhere, so that he can continue reading and solving away.
From The 39 Clues Website:
The Cahills are the most powerful family the world has ever known. 39 Clues hidden around the world guard the family’s power, and it’s up to YOU to find them. It’s Cahill versus Cahill in a worldwide race to find the Clues . . . and beat the competition.
To find the 39 Clues:
Read the Books – Each 39 Clues book unlocks one Clue.
Collect the Cards – Game cards help reveal Clues.
Play the Game – Find Clues through online missions.
Win the Prizes – Play and you could be eligible to win prizes!
I contacted Scholastic and told them how much we LOVE the concept and the book and they were gracious enough to offer a copy of the book, a backpack and tee-shirt to one of my readers.
That’s YOU!
So here’s the deets:
Want to know how to win?
Leave a comment on this post with the name of your favorite childhood book? What book do you most remember that really got you reading? For me? It was the Babysitters Club books. After they were released you couldn’t, and still can’t, tear me away from a book. (Comments that simply say, enter me will be deleted.)
Want another chance to win? Link to Desperately Seeking Reviews in a post or display this AWESOME graphic on your blog!
Leave an additional comment with the link to your blog or the post that it’s linked on.
Don’t want to wait? Buy it now! 39 Clues: Maze Of Bones
and don’t forget the extra cards!
Get to it!
**Comments are now closed on this contest… we have a winner… Tabitha!**
Until next time…
 pingback:
Posted: Sep 15th, 2008 at 3:55 am |
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On Writing Reviews… [...] Read all about The 39 Clues which is my first official post over there. [...] |
 Krissi from Krississippi Posted: Sep 15th, 2008 at 5:44 am |
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My favorite childhood books were the Little House on the Prairie series. I think I read all of them around second grade and continued to re-read them long into my high school years (seriously!) Oh, and I’m still addicted to the TV series, even though it’s not much like the books at all. I’d love to win since my son is an advanced reader and gets bored easily (his favorite new expression is “I hate reading!” which I think he only says because reading isn’t supposed to be cool when you’re an 8 year old boy…) Thanks, Heather! |
 Kitkat4real (Katherine S.) SOLO dot MOM Posted: Sep 15th, 2008 at 6:00 am |
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This sounds great for my 13 year old!! Seriously he is big into Yugio cards and the like… everything is about strategy for him. My childhood favorite books… probably Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries… ok so I am getting up there Hope I win for Jas… but if not it will probably end up in his stocking this year anyway! Kitkat4real (Katherine S.) SOLO dot MOM’s last blog post..Highlights of the Week |
 Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Heart Posted: Sep 15th, 2008 at 6:08 am |
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As a former middle school teacher, I think that almost anything that gets them reading is a good thing! I’d have to say my favorites were Nancy Drew. I think it was the case files that I read all. the. time. The Babysitter’s Club books were good too, though. BTW, I’ve been watching Today more since NKOTB. But, I must also add that watching them did nothing but make me feel old. |
 Gary Posted: Sep 15th, 2008 at 6:24 am |
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I wasn’t a big reader back in my youth. In fact, my parents bribed me to read, offering me 1 cent per page. I was really good at math, even from an early age, so I recognized that if read that 150 page book I’d only make $1.50. Pft! Even in the 80s, a buck fifty didn’t go very far. Yep, I was a tough kid to motivate. But, when I moved to Virginia and started middle school, I remember reading Watership Down. Though I barely remember the story line or the characters, I clearly remember the vivid imagery that author Richard Adams created. There were bloody battles (the book is about rabbits, mind you) that actually gave me nightmares, though I attribute the nightmares to my overactive and vivid imagination, which plagues me to this very day. Perhaps I should go back and read Watership Down again and see how much of it comes back to me. Hmm, think my mom and dad will still pay me 1 cent a page? Hey, a buck fifty is a buck fifty! That’s a third of a Starbucks drink! Gary’s last blog post..“Excuse me! While I kiss the sky!” |
 Shane Posted: Sep 15th, 2008 at 9:49 am |
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My favorite books were the Sweet Valley High series by far. This sounds like a series both of my boys would just love… er think was “cool” I mean! |
 Stephanie Posted: Sep 15th, 2008 at 10:59 am |
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For me it was Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley High books, I absolutely loved those books, and would beg my mom to take me to the library every week so I could get more. And that love of reading has been passed to my 9 year old who I think would love this book. Thank you Heather. |
 Patty Posted: Sep 15th, 2008 at 4:24 pm |
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My favorite books growing up were The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries. I couldn’t put them down. I loved the TV show too. I know showing my age. My 9-year-old only enjoys dinosaur and animal books. I’m trying to expand his reading but, right now, it’s not working. I’m still not giving up though. |
 Annabelle@Christian Momma Posted: Sep 15th, 2008 at 7:07 pm |
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I never really liked reading as a child and didn’t start reading much until I was out of school (sad, I know), but now I love to read and don’t want my children to dislike reading as much as I did as a child…there are so many things I wish I would have read a a child (maybe even homework related books?…maybe!) Anyway, the 1 book that I remember reading all the way through as a child was “Little Women”. It was a book that I had won for being the “Most Improved Reader”. |
 tabitha Posted: Sep 15th, 2008 at 7:47 pm |
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Sweet Valley High. That was back when they were being written and I actually had to wait until the next book was released. I remember after reading one of the books loaning it to a friend who loaned it and so on. We were always sharing the books. I’ve been thinking about reading them again because I loved them so much. |
 chilihead Posted: Sep 16th, 2008 at 2:42 pm |
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When I was younger I loved the S.E. Hinton books (The Outsiders, Rumblefish, etc.). My son was turned on by the Series of Unfortunate Events and is not hooked on Harry Potter. My daughter? Well, we’re still looking for something. Both my kids do love the Bone books (graphic novels). chilihead’s last blog post..BlogWorld and New Media Expo |
 Cathy | Mommy Motivation Posted: Sep 16th, 2008 at 4:39 pm |
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You’ve been doing this since June? I remember a post a while back on DSS about reviews, but I didn’t know it was a separate blog. Actually you talked about a book or something and I was wondering if you were being sneaky and promoting something. Good for you! (a little crazy, but ya know… it makes life exciting) |
 Andrea Posted: Sep 16th, 2008 at 8:06 pm |
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Hi Heather! I totally love this new site…I checked it out the other day and was intrigued by the book review as I have a ten year old son who is always cranky about reading. He is an internet game freak, but I can usually tear him away long enough for a camping/quading weekend here and there! Guess what I saw tonight when we walked into the grocery store:a HUGE display on the 39 Clues! Well if that isn’t a sign, right?! My son took to the concept right away, probably partly from my enthusiasm…and we bought the book and the card pack too. I am excited that he is excited! So, we don’t live in the US to win the prize; but that’s okay because we bought the book anyhow…I just wanted to thank you for the great recommendation. Oh, and my fav books were Judy Blume…remember “Blubber”? Love it…and I laughed when I read someone say “Sweet Valley High”! I totally remember those too…take care, and keep it coming!!! Andrea’s last blog post..Judge not, that ye be not judged (or insert profound statement HERE;) |
 Jean@workingmomma247 Posted: Sep 19th, 2008 at 8:06 pm |
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My fave childhood book has to be hands down the Anne of Green Gables series. I actually decided to re read it. Hopefully Im not to late..and hopefully I won’t be disqualified for being a previous winner. BTW I bought THE Block CD with my gift card and love it! Jean@workingmomma247’s last blog post..An Update |
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pingback:
Posted: Sep 20th, 2008 at 6:05 am |
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Winner of the 39 Clues Gift Pack! at Desperately Seeking Reviews [...] we have a winner for the 39 Clues Gift Pack that includes the book, backpack and [...] |
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But I didn’t hear more about it until I saw your button for this site.
