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Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School #4
In Harm's Way
The threat to the Keepers doubles in the fourth Keepers of the School adventure from Andrew Clements, the master of the school story.
Benjamin Pratt and his friends Jill and Robert are determined to save their school from destruction! But just when it seems they’ve finally gotten the upper hand over that awful Janitor Lyman, they’re caught completely off guard by his next move: Lyman has called in reinforcements, and suddenly Benjamin, Jill, and Robert find themselves dodging not one evil janitor, but two. That’s right: Lyman’s got himself a partner. And it quickly becomes clear that Wally, the new guy, is even more corrupt and menacing than Lyman.
Luckily, Ben’s team has been growing, too. Plus, thanks to the latest safeguard, they also have a secret fund of millions of dollars. But all the money in Massachusetts isn’t enough to stop Lyman and Wally, not when they’ve come this far, and not when they are just about to put the most harmful part of their plan into play. Could the next safeguard give the Keepers what they need—or has their battle to save the school already been sunk?
Benjamin Pratt and his friends Jill and Robert are determined to save their school from destruction! But just when it seems they’ve finally gotten the upper hand over that awful Janitor Lyman, they’re caught completely off guard by his next move: Lyman has called in reinforcements, and suddenly Benjamin, Jill, and Robert find themselves dodging not one evil janitor, but two. That’s right: Lyman’s got himself a partner. And it quickly becomes clear that Wally, the new guy, is even more corrupt and menacing than Lyman.
Luckily, Ben’s team has been growing, too. Plus, thanks to the latest safeguard, they also have a secret fund of millions of dollars. But all the money in Massachusetts isn’t enough to stop Lyman and Wally, not when they’ve come this far, and not when they are just about to put the most harmful part of their plan into play. Could the next safeguard give the Keepers what they need—or has their battle to save the school already been sunk?
240 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2013
25 people are currently reading
364 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Clements
190 books2,190 followersI was born in Camden, New Jersey in 1949 and lived in Oaklyn and Cherry Hill until the middle of sixth grade. Then we moved to Springfield, Illinois. My parents were avid readers and they gave that love of books and reading to me and to all my brothers and sisters. I didn’t think about being a writer at all back then, but I did love to read. I'm certain there's a link between reading good books and becoming a writer. I don't know a single writer who wasn’t a reader first.
Before moving to Illinois, and even afterwards, our family spent summers at a cabin on a lake in Maine. There was no TV there, no phone, no doorbell—and email wasn’t even invented. All day there was time to swim and fish and mess around outside, and every night, there was time to read. I know those quiet summers helped me begin to think like a writer.
During my senior year at Springfield High School my English teacher handed back a poem I’d written. Two things were amazing about that paper. First, I’d gotten an A—a rare event in this teacher’s class. And she’d also written in large, scrawly red writing, “Andrew—this poem is so funny. This should be published!”
That praise sent me off to Northwestern University feeling like I was a pretty good writer, and occasionally professors there also encouraged me and complimented the essays I was required to write as a literature major. But I didn’t write much on my own—just some poetry now and then. I learned to play guitar and began writing songs, but again, only when I felt like it. Writing felt like hard work—something that’s still true today.
After the songwriting came my first job in publishing. I worked for a small publisher who specialized in how-to books, the kind of books that have photos with informative captions below each one. The book in which my name first appeared in print is called A Country Christmas Treasury. I’d built a number of the projects featured in the book, and I was listed as one of the “craftspeople”on the acknowlegements page, in tiny, tiny type.
In 1990 I began trying to write a story about a boy who makes up a new word. That book eventually became my first novel, Frindle, published in 1996, and you can read the whole story of how it developed on another web site, frindle.com. Frindle became popular, more popular than any of my books before or since—at least so far. And it had the eventual effect of turning me into a full-time writer.
I’ve learned that I need time and a quiet place to think and write. These days, I spend a lot of my time sitting in a small shed about seventy feet from my back door at our home in Massachusetts. There’s a woodstove in there for the cold winters, and an air conditioner for the hot summers. There’s a desk and chair, and I carry a laptop computer back and forth. But there’s no TV, no phone, no doorbell, no email. And the woodstove and the pine board walls make the place smell just like that cabin in Maine where I spent my earliest summers.
Sometimes kids ask how I've been able to write so many books. The answer is simple: one word at a time. Which is a good lesson, I think. You don't have to do everything at once. You don't have to know how every story is going to end. You just have to take that next step, look for that next idea, write that next word. And growing up, it's the same way. We just have to go to that next class, read that next chapter, help that next person. You simply have to do that next good thing, and before you know it, you're living a good life.
Before moving to Illinois, and even afterwards, our family spent summers at a cabin on a lake in Maine. There was no TV there, no phone, no doorbell—and email wasn’t even invented. All day there was time to swim and fish and mess around outside, and every night, there was time to read. I know those quiet summers helped me begin to think like a writer.
During my senior year at Springfield High School my English teacher handed back a poem I’d written. Two things were amazing about that paper. First, I’d gotten an A—a rare event in this teacher’s class. And she’d also written in large, scrawly red writing, “Andrew—this poem is so funny. This should be published!”
That praise sent me off to Northwestern University feeling like I was a pretty good writer, and occasionally professors there also encouraged me and complimented the essays I was required to write as a literature major. But I didn’t write much on my own—just some poetry now and then. I learned to play guitar and began writing songs, but again, only when I felt like it. Writing felt like hard work—something that’s still true today.
After the songwriting came my first job in publishing. I worked for a small publisher who specialized in how-to books, the kind of books that have photos with informative captions below each one. The book in which my name first appeared in print is called A Country Christmas Treasury. I’d built a number of the projects featured in the book, and I was listed as one of the “craftspeople”on the acknowlegements page, in tiny, tiny type.
In 1990 I began trying to write a story about a boy who makes up a new word. That book eventually became my first novel, Frindle, published in 1996, and you can read the whole story of how it developed on another web site, frindle.com. Frindle became popular, more popular than any of my books before or since—at least so far. And it had the eventual effect of turning me into a full-time writer.
I’ve learned that I need time and a quiet place to think and write. These days, I spend a lot of my time sitting in a small shed about seventy feet from my back door at our home in Massachusetts. There’s a woodstove in there for the cold winters, and an air conditioner for the hot summers. There’s a desk and chair, and I carry a laptop computer back and forth. But there’s no TV, no phone, no doorbell, no email. And the woodstove and the pine board walls make the place smell just like that cabin in Maine where I spent my earliest summers.
Sometimes kids ask how I've been able to write so many books. The answer is simple: one word at a time. Which is a good lesson, I think. You don't have to do everything at once. You don't have to know how every story is going to end. You just have to take that next step, look for that next idea, write that next word. And growing up, it's the same way. We just have to go to that next class, read that next chapter, help that next person. You simply have to do that next good thing, and before you know it, you're living a good life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
April 25, 2017
Benjamin Pratt's task force of Keepers is three kids strong with the addition of bold strategist (and sometimes irritating know-it-all) Robert Gerritt in the previous book, and the reinforcement comes none too soon. Though Lyman—the janitor secretly working for Glennley Group to prevent Ben, Jill, Robert, and the adult Keepers from saving the historical Captain Duncan Oakes School from the wrecking ball this summer—quickly found out Robert had joined the opposing team, the Keepers continue to leverage their new associate for all he's worth. However, Lyman has added an assistant of his own. The new complementary janitor, Wally, is no true custodian of the Keeper lineage instituted by Captain Oakes in the late 1700s to protect the school against attack by people who would steal the lovely seaside property from the kids. Less than two weeks remain before Glennley's takeover of the school is complete, and Ben, Jill, and Robert must complete their search for the "safeguards" left hidden by Captain Oakes for a day when they'd be needed to pull his namesake school back from the brink of destruction. If they can find all five safeguards, surely at least one of them will make the town reconsider demolishing the school, but searching the building without Lyman or Wally seeing what they're up to is nearly impossible. Time is running out for the Keepers.
A seasoned spy, Lyman won't continue to challenge Ben in ways that aren't working. He varies his repertoire to shake up his sixth-grade opponents, but a trio is harder to scare off than a lone wolf. Diversifying their own tactics, Ben, Jill, and Robert find a way to look around the school for brief periods without Lyman or Wally tailing them, and are rewarded with a strong lead on the third safeguard. Actually locating it turns out to be tricky until Ben gets an idea, approaching the puzzle from another angle. The problem is that he goes it alone, choosing not to inform Jill or Robert, and one minor slip-up leads to a showdown with the two fake janitors, who are eager to halt Ben's progress by proving he's broken school rules. The other Keepers come through to even the score, but the skirmish has a steep price. Lyman and Wally seem at ease around school now, not bothering to follow the Keepers. Do they know something that will give them a decisive edge over the guardians of Captain Oakes's legacy? As the weekend approaches for a boat race competition that Ben and Robert have been training for, the kids are still trying to figure out why Lyman and Wally are so confident, but they don't have long to correctly guess the janitors' next move. If they don't anticipate it soon enough, the battle for the school could end this weekend.
We the Children, the first book of the series, starts with Ben as the only active Keeper, sought out by Mr. Keane the janitor right before he passed away. Ben takes the charge to defend his school from corporate marauders seriously, but the burden is unmanageable until he lets Jill in on the secret. Dispersing the weight of responsibility turns out to be a smart move, and every time Ben adds another Keeper, it works out well. There's the janitor before Mr. Keane, Tom Benton; Mr. Keane's widow; and of course, Robert Gerritt. In Harm's Way continues the trend as more people are brought in on the deal, and the stronger the coalition of Keepers grows, the better their odds of upsetting Glennley's agenda. Rescuing the school is a risky, audacious, high-skill operation, making a quote shared by Ben's father particularly apropos: "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm's way." American naval hero John Paul Jones said that, and it's a rallying cry for the Keepers. When you commit to a daring endeavor, you accept the danger that goes with it. Don't settle for less than your best, because fast, agile ships (and minds) win wars. Ben has several sleek "ships" at his disposal, allies who love Captain Duncan Oakes School as much as he does, and they're just now gearing up for the final battle. It all ends in the next book, We Hold These Truths.
As one piece in a five-book puzzle, In Harm's Way can't stand on its own, but it is beautifully paced and features some exciting scenes. The transition to the conclusion of the series is evident, and the next book is the longest by a substantial margin. There's a good chance I'd rate In Harm's Way two and a half stars, and you'll have a hard time not reaching for book five immediately after finishing this one. I look forward to what happens next for Ben and the Keepers. I wish them luck, wisdom, and fortitude in their selfless quest; they'll need all three to win the day. I'll see you at the next book.
A seasoned spy, Lyman won't continue to challenge Ben in ways that aren't working. He varies his repertoire to shake up his sixth-grade opponents, but a trio is harder to scare off than a lone wolf. Diversifying their own tactics, Ben, Jill, and Robert find a way to look around the school for brief periods without Lyman or Wally tailing them, and are rewarded with a strong lead on the third safeguard. Actually locating it turns out to be tricky until Ben gets an idea, approaching the puzzle from another angle. The problem is that he goes it alone, choosing not to inform Jill or Robert, and one minor slip-up leads to a showdown with the two fake janitors, who are eager to halt Ben's progress by proving he's broken school rules. The other Keepers come through to even the score, but the skirmish has a steep price. Lyman and Wally seem at ease around school now, not bothering to follow the Keepers. Do they know something that will give them a decisive edge over the guardians of Captain Oakes's legacy? As the weekend approaches for a boat race competition that Ben and Robert have been training for, the kids are still trying to figure out why Lyman and Wally are so confident, but they don't have long to correctly guess the janitors' next move. If they don't anticipate it soon enough, the battle for the school could end this weekend.
We the Children, the first book of the series, starts with Ben as the only active Keeper, sought out by Mr. Keane the janitor right before he passed away. Ben takes the charge to defend his school from corporate marauders seriously, but the burden is unmanageable until he lets Jill in on the secret. Dispersing the weight of responsibility turns out to be a smart move, and every time Ben adds another Keeper, it works out well. There's the janitor before Mr. Keane, Tom Benton; Mr. Keane's widow; and of course, Robert Gerritt. In Harm's Way continues the trend as more people are brought in on the deal, and the stronger the coalition of Keepers grows, the better their odds of upsetting Glennley's agenda. Rescuing the school is a risky, audacious, high-skill operation, making a quote shared by Ben's father particularly apropos: "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm's way." American naval hero John Paul Jones said that, and it's a rallying cry for the Keepers. When you commit to a daring endeavor, you accept the danger that goes with it. Don't settle for less than your best, because fast, agile ships (and minds) win wars. Ben has several sleek "ships" at his disposal, allies who love Captain Duncan Oakes School as much as he does, and they're just now gearing up for the final battle. It all ends in the next book, We Hold These Truths.
As one piece in a five-book puzzle, In Harm's Way can't stand on its own, but it is beautifully paced and features some exciting scenes. The transition to the conclusion of the series is evident, and the next book is the longest by a substantial margin. There's a good chance I'd rate In Harm's Way two and a half stars, and you'll have a hard time not reaching for book five immediately after finishing this one. I look forward to what happens next for Ben and the Keepers. I wish them luck, wisdom, and fortitude in their selfless quest; they'll need all three to win the day. I'll see you at the next book.
July 18, 2016
I am totally enjoying this series. Exciting, clever, and connected to real history.
July 2, 2013
Great series - both the boys and I have been enjoying this series.
January 11, 2015
great book, really fun to read
October 19, 2016
This was my twelfth book by Andrew Clements in under a year. I can freely admit that along with Chris d'Lacey are currently my favorite middle grade authors. I have been alternating between them and reading a book a week over the summer and into the fall. Between d'Lacey and Clements their styles are very different. For Andrew Clements for the most part his books are written in a very realistic style. But this series is the excepting to that rule. I have read the first four books in this series in just over a month and eagerly anticipate the wrap up in book 5 shortly.
These books follow directly one after the other, starting with Fear Itself, then We the Children, followed by The Whites of Their Eyes, and then this volume. Things have gotten desperate if the kids want to save Oakes School will be demolished in 11 days and the property turned into a theme park. But the good news is the team of Keepers is growing, we now have the three children, and they are following the clues to Captain Oakes safeguards to save the school. But the enemy is getting even nastier. Lyman the fake janitor has called in reinforcements, Wally has hidden cameras around the school and he and Lyman have taken to following the children even outside of school. The Glennley group has even offered to make Ben's mom rich by offering he an exclusive real estate contract, and they have threatened Jill's father's finances. But the team is growing closer together, and as mentioned it is growing. With the access to assets left for them they now have legal counsel, and are working all angles to save the school. But will it be enough? Do they have enough time to solve the clues get the help and save their school and maybe even their community?
The deeper themes that appeared in the last book are worked upon even more in this volume. The three friends growing closer together! Both Ben and Robert realize that their years of competitiveness were fed by misunderstandings. They really are gelling into a team and dealing with many of their personal life issues from the present and the past.
Adam Stower has does some more wonderful illustrations to supplement the story. There are a number of full pages illustrations and also numerous smaller pieces throughout the book. In the eBook edition all the pictures are done in black and green.
With each volume the action picks up, and the books grow more intense. It leaves you hungry to figure out what will happen next. And after finishing this book there is only one to go.
The greatest strengths of Clements writings in this series and others I have read are the characters and their personal development because of what they go through. The big difference in this series is we have three main characters, Ben, Robert and Jill. And each of them is growing and together they are helping each other in more ways than they originally expected.
I have been hooked on Clements books for a while now I am really enjoying this series and can highly recommend it. This is another great read by a gifted author!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Andrew Clements.
These books follow directly one after the other, starting with Fear Itself, then We the Children, followed by The Whites of Their Eyes, and then this volume. Things have gotten desperate if the kids want to save Oakes School will be demolished in 11 days and the property turned into a theme park. But the good news is the team of Keepers is growing, we now have the three children, and they are following the clues to Captain Oakes safeguards to save the school. But the enemy is getting even nastier. Lyman the fake janitor has called in reinforcements, Wally has hidden cameras around the school and he and Lyman have taken to following the children even outside of school. The Glennley group has even offered to make Ben's mom rich by offering he an exclusive real estate contract, and they have threatened Jill's father's finances. But the team is growing closer together, and as mentioned it is growing. With the access to assets left for them they now have legal counsel, and are working all angles to save the school. But will it be enough? Do they have enough time to solve the clues get the help and save their school and maybe even their community?
The deeper themes that appeared in the last book are worked upon even more in this volume. The three friends growing closer together! Both Ben and Robert realize that their years of competitiveness were fed by misunderstandings. They really are gelling into a team and dealing with many of their personal life issues from the present and the past.
Adam Stower has does some more wonderful illustrations to supplement the story. There are a number of full pages illustrations and also numerous smaller pieces throughout the book. In the eBook edition all the pictures are done in black and green.
With each volume the action picks up, and the books grow more intense. It leaves you hungry to figure out what will happen next. And after finishing this book there is only one to go.
The greatest strengths of Clements writings in this series and others I have read are the characters and their personal development because of what they go through. The big difference in this series is we have three main characters, Ben, Robert and Jill. And each of them is growing and together they are helping each other in more ways than they originally expected.
I have been hooked on Clements books for a while now I am really enjoying this series and can highly recommend it. This is another great read by a gifted author!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Andrew Clements.
January 18, 2016
Personal Response
I like the book because it is interesting. The book is funny to read because of all the things the kids do to save the school from being torn down. This book is also good because it includes things from history. So it connects the past to the present.
The Plot
This book starts at the Captain Oaks School. The kid are trying to save the school from being torn down. They are trying to fight the glattly group. The kids are looking around the school for safe card in the school. All the kids look for help from a lot of people.
Recommendation
I recommend this book to middle school kid, 12-15 years old. The book will be more interesting to these kids because it seems like a lower level book.
I like the book because it is interesting. The book is funny to read because of all the things the kids do to save the school from being torn down. This book is also good because it includes things from history. So it connects the past to the present.
The Plot
This book starts at the Captain Oaks School. The kid are trying to save the school from being torn down. They are trying to fight the glattly group. The kids are looking around the school for safe card in the school. All the kids look for help from a lot of people.
Recommendation
I recommend this book to middle school kid, 12-15 years old. The book will be more interesting to these kids because it seems like a lower level book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2013
these books are a modern day Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew!!
March 7, 2022
This might have been my favourite book of the series so far! There were/was lots of twists and lots of character growth and lots of humour. I read it in one go and enjoyed it thoroughly!
June 22, 2013
In Harm’s Way is the fourth of five books in Andrew Clements’ Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School series. With each book I understand more about the mystery and I appreciate how tightly the past and present are woven. It is amazing that Captain Oakes could have enough foresight to put the perfect safeguards in place to preserve his wishes some 200 years later, but he did. And that means that though times change and progress is made people and human nature are essentially the same through history.
The Glennley Group is pulling out all the stops to keep Benjamin, Jill and Robert from succeeding. The discovery in the last book of the authentic Underground Railroad station slow the demolition plans, but didn’t stop them. Glennley Group is silently spreading their tentacles of influence across Eastport while trying to find every innocent way possible to silently remove the Keepers. They’ve placed a second janitor at the school so they are easier to follow and they’ve worked out ways to worm themselves closer to their parents. They will work every angle to stop the Keepers to capitalize on their investment no matter how slimy the move may be. Ben’s mom has been “chosen” as the relator to show the condominiums that will be built when the theme park is built. Jill’s dad has been “convinced” to invest heavily in Gleenley Group stocks. He’ll make a fortune when Tall Ships Ahoy theme park is completed. Signs of Glennley Group’s presence and influence are everywhere from the massive yacht docked at the pier to the silent sport car appearing on the street outside their homes. Ben, Jill and Robert have to be constantly on guard and constantly planning to stay one step ahead. The stakes are high – life or death, and yet the keepers are committed to keeping the school safe just as Captain Oakes had asked.
This series causes you to think and question. Friends come from unlikely places if you’re willing to give them a chance. Though you may want to work alone, when you’re open better things almost always come from collaboration. The saying “two heads are better than one” is true. Sometimes a personal goal has to be set aside for the common good. What is the true price of progress? Are immediate gains worth the lasting, irretrievable outcomes?
After you’ve read In Harm’s Way how will you answer those questions?
The Glennley Group is pulling out all the stops to keep Benjamin, Jill and Robert from succeeding. The discovery in the last book of the authentic Underground Railroad station slow the demolition plans, but didn’t stop them. Glennley Group is silently spreading their tentacles of influence across Eastport while trying to find every innocent way possible to silently remove the Keepers. They’ve placed a second janitor at the school so they are easier to follow and they’ve worked out ways to worm themselves closer to their parents. They will work every angle to stop the Keepers to capitalize on their investment no matter how slimy the move may be. Ben’s mom has been “chosen” as the relator to show the condominiums that will be built when the theme park is built. Jill’s dad has been “convinced” to invest heavily in Gleenley Group stocks. He’ll make a fortune when Tall Ships Ahoy theme park is completed. Signs of Glennley Group’s presence and influence are everywhere from the massive yacht docked at the pier to the silent sport car appearing on the street outside their homes. Ben, Jill and Robert have to be constantly on guard and constantly planning to stay one step ahead. The stakes are high – life or death, and yet the keepers are committed to keeping the school safe just as Captain Oakes had asked.
This series causes you to think and question. Friends come from unlikely places if you’re willing to give them a chance. Though you may want to work alone, when you’re open better things almost always come from collaboration. The saying “two heads are better than one” is true. Sometimes a personal goal has to be set aside for the common good. What is the true price of progress? Are immediate gains worth the lasting, irretrievable outcomes?
After you’ve read In Harm’s Way how will you answer those questions?
July 26, 2016
The threat to the Keepers doubles in the fourth Keepers of the School adventure from Andrew Clements, the master of the school story.
Benjamin Pratt and his friends Jill and Robert are determined to save their school from destruction! But just when it seems they’ve finally gotten the upper hand over that awful Janitor Lyman, they’re caught completely off guard by his next move: Lyman has called in reinforcements, and suddenly Benjamin, Jill, and Robert find themselves dodging not one evil janitor, but two. That’s right: Lyman’s got himself a partner. And it quickly becomes clear that Wally, the new guy, is even more corrupt and menacing than Lyman.
Luckily, Ben’s team has been growing, too. Plus, thanks to the latest safeguard, they also have a secret fund of millions of dollars. But all the money in Massachusetts isn’t enough to stop Lyman and Wally, not when they’ve come this far, and not when they are just about to put the most harmful part of their plan into play. Could the next safeguard give the Keepers what they need—or has their battle to save the school already been sunk? (Amazon Review)
* This is a really fun series for elementary aged children and would be a great choice for a book club or book talk. Andrew Clements has a nice website with a video about how he came up with the idea for the series that would be fun to share with those reading the books. The book includes some springboards for conversations/further research about revolution-era American history.
Benjamin Pratt and his friends Jill and Robert are determined to save their school from destruction! But just when it seems they’ve finally gotten the upper hand over that awful Janitor Lyman, they’re caught completely off guard by his next move: Lyman has called in reinforcements, and suddenly Benjamin, Jill, and Robert find themselves dodging not one evil janitor, but two. That’s right: Lyman’s got himself a partner. And it quickly becomes clear that Wally, the new guy, is even more corrupt and menacing than Lyman.
Luckily, Ben’s team has been growing, too. Plus, thanks to the latest safeguard, they also have a secret fund of millions of dollars. But all the money in Massachusetts isn’t enough to stop Lyman and Wally, not when they’ve come this far, and not when they are just about to put the most harmful part of their plan into play. Could the next safeguard give the Keepers what they need—or has their battle to save the school already been sunk? (Amazon Review)
* This is a really fun series for elementary aged children and would be a great choice for a book club or book talk. Andrew Clements has a nice website with a video about how he came up with the idea for the series that would be fun to share with those reading the books. The book includes some springboards for conversations/further research about revolution-era American history.
July 10, 2013
In Harm's Way is the newest installment of Clement's Keepers of the School series. Benjamin, Jill, and Robert are still working hard to stop Lyman and his new janitor buddy. The technology is still present and they're tracking the children as well as plotting to take down the school their way. Ben, Jill, and Robert need to uncover the clues and catch the fake janitors red handed
I cannot wait for each book to appear on the shelf in the this series. The characters stay true in each book. The mystery unfolds and more people are drawn into the mission to save the school. Book 4 involved more mystery than boating. The boating race didn't play too much except at the very end when there was a race, which was interrupted with a school emergency. As always, the book ends on a cliff hanger and the mystery continues. I cannot wait for the next Keepers of the School book!
Again, Keith Nobbs returns to read! Huzzah! I'm still enjoying his rendition of the characters and the dynamics of his voice. Keep up the good work, Keeper Keith!
Reviewed from an Audiobook Jukebox copy. Thank you, Simon & Schuster Audio!
I cannot wait for each book to appear on the shelf in the this series. The characters stay true in each book. The mystery unfolds and more people are drawn into the mission to save the school. Book 4 involved more mystery than boating. The boating race didn't play too much except at the very end when there was a race, which was interrupted with a school emergency. As always, the book ends on a cliff hanger and the mystery continues. I cannot wait for the next Keepers of the School book!
Again, Keith Nobbs returns to read! Huzzah! I'm still enjoying his rendition of the characters and the dynamics of his voice. Keep up the good work, Keeper Keith!
Reviewed from an Audiobook Jukebox copy. Thank you, Simon & Schuster Audio!
July 26, 2014
This is the fourth book in the Keepers of the School series. The group is starting to flex its muscle and gain more adults in its secret circle. The next clue is discovered and the spying janitors have been defeated.
There is not a lot of action in this short read, but if you are into this series you will read it to the end. The clues and treasures are cleverly hidden. I was disappointed that Ben did most of the treasure hunting on his own - again - not using his team. But his team is working on several other aspects of the puzzle that evidences itself at the end.
There is not a lot of action in this short read, but if you are into this series you will read it to the end. The clues and treasures are cleverly hidden. I was disappointed that Ben did most of the treasure hunting on his own - again - not using his team. But his team is working on several other aspects of the puzzle that evidences itself at the end.
May 22, 2017
Boys enjoyed the book. Didn't know it was a series, dependent upon each other, until we were into the book. We were able to grasp the missing background.
Did not like that the mystery wasn't solved until final book. Wished for resolution with each book.
Young characters struggled with more than mystery. But the mystery helped them evaluate their circumstances and see life better.
Good character development, probably showed more maturity than others his age, but then he was encouraged to BE more responsible.
Did not like that the mystery wasn't solved until final book. Wished for resolution with each book.
Young characters struggled with more than mystery. But the mystery helped them evaluate their circumstances and see life better.
Good character development, probably showed more maturity than others his age, but then he was encouraged to BE more responsible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2013
I really enjoyed this one! Maybe more so than the second or third. A story that reminds me why I love reading. It was fun. Suspenseful. Creative.
Lyman gets someone to join him as janitor. And the kids are still brave and resourceful.
If you haven't started this series, you should! Or I guess wait until the fifth and final book comes out sometime!
Parental guidance (possible spoilers): stalking, sneaking at school, flooding,
Lyman gets someone to join him as janitor. And the kids are still brave and resourceful.
If you haven't started this series, you should! Or I guess wait until the fifth and final book comes out sometime!
Parental guidance (possible spoilers): stalking, sneaking at school, flooding,
August 11, 2013
Book 4 in the series. Things are really heating up in the battle between the Keepers and the Glennley corporation. Janitor Lyman has a new assistant, so the kids must find a way to avoid them both in their search for the safeguards that will save their school. This series is fast-moving, action packed and perfect for reluctant readers. It will all wrap up in book 5, and I can't wait to see how things turn out.
February 3, 2017
This book is awesome! I love the ending! The main characters and their relationship have grown so much since the first book. The risks they are each willing to take are higher as they moved down the list of safeguards to find and the adventure and thrill increases as a result. I had a problem with one particular part of the storyline but I am willing to put it at the back of my mind for now because it was not that in depth to the point that it is problematic and worrying.
March 23, 2015
I give In Harm's Way 4 stars out of frustration. I'm used to Mr. Clements wrapping up a conflict neatly with an important lesson learned and real human challenges explored. But this series breaks that formula. It is a very well written modern mystery and adventure. Like James Bond or Indiana Jones for kids.
June 30, 2016
Kail refused to keep reading the series with me, so I had to do it myself. I'm still finding this mystery series for grade-school readers great. Ben, Jill, and Robert are a great time, and the evil janitor got a side-kick for this round. Lots to enjoy!
September 7, 2014
Intelligent plot, clever foils, evil janitors, and mysterious clues. What more does one need for a good conspiracy story?
September 5, 2013
Andrew Clements is always an excellent listen, this tale of kids vs. corporation is fun, but getting kinda long.
June 29, 2013
More fun with Benjamin Pratt and the gang!
June 7, 2013
Quick and fun but I'm ready for this series to wrap up...one more book to go. I think these will be better to recommend once they are all published so that they can be read straight through.
June 14, 2013
Another strong installment to this series. I am happy that it will wrap up with book 5.
December 29, 2014
I like this series. A good amount of action and suspense for kids. One more book coming in the fall. Can't wait to see how it ends.
January 22, 2018
A solid book -- probably second- or third-best in the series (after book 5 and maybe book 2). Good pace and good developments.
May 14, 2014
Spoiler Alert
I love Andrew Clements writing, but this book was frustrating. Benjamin and the rest of the Keepers find another clue, one that insures more support from the community. The keepers, save the school from destruction and we are led only to find we have one more book to go with only a couple of days of school to go! Everything seems to hang in the balance on one day Monday and we have to wait for book 5 to find out what happens. I was totally frustrated.
Yes, the Keepers of the School did advance in their search for more clues and managed to draw in more nautical terms that applied to the school, involve a couple more adults and swear them to the secret of the school and reveal more about the evil janitors. (I always did wonder why janitors hung out in those smelly closets!)
However this book went almost nowhere with the advancement of the story, totally frustrating. Equally frustrating was to see Ben sail off course once again during his sail boat race - a move that was unnecessary in my opinion.
I love Andrew Clements writing, but this book was frustrating. Benjamin and the rest of the Keepers find another clue, one that insures more support from the community. The keepers, save the school from destruction and we are led only to find we have one more book to go with only a couple of days of school to go! Everything seems to hang in the balance on one day Monday and we have to wait for book 5 to find out what happens. I was totally frustrated.
Yes, the Keepers of the School did advance in their search for more clues and managed to draw in more nautical terms that applied to the school, involve a couple more adults and swear them to the secret of the school and reveal more about the evil janitors. (I always did wonder why janitors hung out in those smelly closets!)
However this book went almost nowhere with the advancement of the story, totally frustrating. Equally frustrating was to see Ben sail off course once again during his sail boat race - a move that was unnecessary in my opinion.
May 14, 2013
An interesting (and quick!) youth read. Plenty of mystery and antique secret hiding places in the series. The author's diversion into sailing lessons was forgivable being that this series is intended for young readers who may need to get outside and try something new. But this book brings too many distractions as the author begins a wrap-up frenzy. Suddenly you have to learn about his interests, even to the point of a short iTunes tutorial on how to transfer a sound file from your phone to your iPad. Oh, and 'Freemasons aren't weird or anything'.
November 21, 2013
Another fun installment of the series but I'm starting to be really bugged by the publishers format - each book is really just 3 or 4 chapters-worth of a long book. It makes the plot feel a bit strained thinking that Clements has to pull out this part of the story to fill certain amount of pages. The books are small and have large margins and really should have all been put in one book and save the money for the consumers and the resources to publish it. Thank goodness for the library so we don't have to spend $15/hardback...we'd be up to $75 just for 5 books!
June 11, 2013
A quick read, but a little too much taking place for it to be a youth read. So many stories within stories.
July 30, 2013
Ok but not needed in our ES library
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