Module 9--The Medusa Plot by Gordon Korman

Source: http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/2011/07/marvelous-middle-grade-monday-medusa.html

Summary:
Simultaneously around the world, seven members of the Cahill clan are mysteriously kidnapped.  Several men attempt to kidnap Amy and Dan from their school bus, but Amy and Dan fight them off.  Soon, an unusual cell phone is dropped into their yard.  They are told by a mysterious man called Vesper 1 to follow his instructions or a member of the Cahills would die.  Soon, Amy and Dan are on their way to Italy because Vesper 1 wants a specific painting, The Medusa.  They work with other Cahill members and friends (Hamilton, Jonah, Sinead, and Ian) to successfully find and steal The Medusa painting.  Then, it is snatched from them on the street.  They are then chased and crash, losing the cell phone charger.  This is where Evan, Amy's boyfriend, comes into the book because he knows about the unusual cell phone that is used by intelligence agencies.  They break into the cell phone factory to get a charger, causing the factory to explode.  Amy and Dan's former nanny, Nellie is shot in the arm as punishment when Amy and Dan have difficulty meeting demands.  She becomes ill when the bullet remains in her arm, but the Cahill hostages are given some basic supplies to surgically remove it.  Meanwhile, Amy and Dan determine The Medusa painting is being sought because it is a map for the underground tunnels beneath the Colosseum in Rome.  They find and keep a rare book while in the tunnel. The ending is left open because Vesper 1 does not release the Cahill hostages as promised.  

APA Reference: 

Korman, G. (2011). The 39 clues: Cahills vs. Vespers book 1: The Medusa plot.  New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc. 
My Impressions: 

I enjoyed it, but was disappointed by the ending because, unlike most mysteries, it was not neatly tied up.  I think this is a fantastic series that is not too violent, but would capture even some reluctant readers.  I especially loved the use of real geography and a real painting.  That would help create a fun cross-curricular tie-in.  I appreciated that the author avoided gender bias and included many different characters in the book.  The variety of characters added a lot of interest and opportunities for humor.  There were parts that were suspenseful, parts that were funny, and the plot moved along quickly.  Certainly, those are all great components to have in youth literature. 

Professional Reviews: 


The 39 Clues crew return to the well for this opener to a new series, Cahills versus Vespers. The Cahills, of course, are the world's most powerful family you never knew existed, and their family tree is a who's who of the past half-millennium. The Vespers are their secret, centuries-old rival, and now pop up to kidnap Cahills for some sureto-be-diabolical reason. Dan and Amy, two years after solving the massive global puzzle of the 39 Clues, jump back into action to help save their relations and take down the villainous Vespers. Sure, it is as much a multiplatform marketing ploy (with collectible cards and an immersive online presence to swallow up chunks of fans' spare time) as a book series, but that doesn't take away from what it is at its core: a lean, easy-to-like thrill ride with guaranteed crowd-pleasing elements like secret societies, art heists, and heroes with unlimited cash and connections to fuel their around-the-world intrigue. Like the first series, a new author for each volume ensures lickety-split rollouts.

Chipman, I. (2011). [Review of The 39 clues: Cahills vs. Vespers book 1: The Medusa plot, by G. Korman]. Booklist, 108(5), 74. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com

Gr 5-7-- This subseries starring Amy and Dan Cahill starts off with a bang. Powerful members of their family are being kidnapped all around the world. The only attempt gone wrong was when the siblings managed to outsmart and outfight their enemies due to new techniques they learned to keep themselves safe. Soon, they discover that the Vespers, an ancient family with a long-standing feud against theirs, have taken their loved ones and will start killing them if their demands are not met. Amy and Dan realize that the clue hunt is starting all over again, but with much more at stake. A bit of background information is included for those new to the series, but nothing that slows the pace. Familiar characters and situations are intermingled with new dangers. Impossible tasks are asked of the siblings, but they are not alone this time as they are receiving help from other branches of the family working together. Action, adventure, and danger abound. And, of course, a cliff-hanger ending will leave readers stunned and wanting more. Without a doubt, if the first "39 Clues" series had kids racing to finish the books, this one is a must-purchase.

Siegert, M. (2012). [Review of The 39 clues: Cahills vs. Vespers book 1: The Medusa plot, by G. Korman].  School Library Journal, 58(4), 166-167.  Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com

Library Uses:  

Research Rome:  Students research Italy using online databases and print sources to plan a seven-day sightseeing trip.  They decide on landmarks to visit and follow a budget.  Then, they write a narrative or diary to describe their imaginary trip.  Variations of this project could be repeated to coincide with other volumes in the 39 Clues Vesper vs. Cahills series.