We the Children: Book One in Benjamin Pratt & The Keepers of the School by Andrew Clements

• Publisher: Atheneum Books (an imprint of Simon & Schuster)
• Date: April 2010
• Page Count: 160
• Reading Level: Ages 8-12

BOOK DESCRIPTION: 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.

MY REVIEW: Benjamin is a kid who doesn't really like change. Not anymore. His parents have separated and he lives with his dad one week and his mom the next. He doesn't like that change and then suddenly the land his school is on is sold to developer people. They want to tear down the buildings, including the Oakes School where he goes. That change is not going to happen, not if Benjamin can do something about it! And he does, with the help of his friend, Jill. The janitor gives him a special coin and suddenly Benjamin has a mystery to solve and a school to save.

I really enjoyed this book. It was full of mystery and interesting characters and it was fun to read. I loved how sweet Benjamin was when he saved his enemy during the sailing race. The race was exciting. I also thought the gold coin and the tablet were very interesting items and added to the story. Some people may not like cliff hangers but I liked how this ending had one. It kept me guessing about what will happen next. And since this is the first in a six book series, there is a lot more for Benjamin and his friends to discover and solve. Can't wait for the next one!

COVER COMMENT: I liked the cover, the dark brown and blue were boyish and Benjamin's face has a look like a boy who has a mystery to solve. I also thought the illustrations by Adam Stower were GREAT and helped me picture the story in my mind a lot better. Chapter Three's sketches were really great--I liked how it broke up the text and made the story move faster.

RATING: +++1/2

FOR FANS OF: Mysteries and good stories.

SERIES: Yes.

REVIEWED BY: Caitlin

BOOK SOURCE: ARC given by Simon & Schuster.