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Secrets of the Seven #2
The Eagle's Quill
Middle school geniuses Sam, Martina, and Theo head to Glacier National Park to find the second of seven artifacts--keys that unlock a secret weapon--left by the country's Founding Fathers. The clues lead them to look for Thomas Jefferson's Eagle's Quill at a Montana ranch. But dangerous Gideon Arnold, descendant of the infamous Benedict Arnold, is hot on their trail. He takes their chaperone and the ranch owners hostage until the kids deliver the quill. Can Sam, Martina, and Theo, with the help of rancher girl Abby, find Jefferson's artifact before it's too late? They enter the wilderness to solve riddles and escape traps that protect the quill . . . but if they find it, can they keep it away from Arnold and save everyone?
In this fast-paced adventure full of action and interactive puzzles, the kids and readers must use their wits to save our nation by uncovering its greatest secrets.
In this fast-paced adventure full of action and interactive puzzles, the kids and readers must use their wits to save our nation by uncovering its greatest secrets.
- GenresMiddle GradeMystery
240 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2017
23 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
About the author
Sarah L. Thomson
70 books83 followersSarah L. Thomson has written over thirty books for young readers, including poetry, prose, fiction and nonfiction. Her recent books include Cub's BIG World, which School Library Journal called “a big must-have" and Deadly Flowers: A Ninja's Tale, which Booklist called “genuinely thrilling." She lives in Portland, Maine.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 3, 2017
My Video Review
https://youtu.be/enBTkWJl-mQ
These books are such a fun time. I liked learning about another Founding Father although I didn't find Thomas Jefferson as interesting or the traps and puzzles protecting his object as crazy as Benjamin Franklin's. I still think young readers would have fun figuring out the puzzles with the characters, and this would be a good series for readers between short chapter books into beefier middle grade. I did receive this book for review, but this in no way affected my reading experience or rating.
https://youtu.be/enBTkWJl-mQ
These books are such a fun time. I liked learning about another Founding Father although I didn't find Thomas Jefferson as interesting or the traps and puzzles protecting his object as crazy as Benjamin Franklin's. I still think young readers would have fun figuring out the puzzles with the characters, and this would be a good series for readers between short chapter books into beefier middle grade. I did receive this book for review, but this in no way affected my reading experience or rating.
February 27, 2021
4.5
*contented sigh* I read the first book about a year ago and fell in love with the characters all over again in this cute, middle grade story. Even though it isn't very long, "The Eagles Quill" is full to bursting with adventure, puzzles and facts. The only thing I had problems with was, being from Montana, some of the animal attacks were a little unrealistic. Grizzly bears often won't attack unless provoked or if you sneak up on them. Most the time if you give them space you're fine..but I suppose it could happen, bears are dangerous.
**
OVERVIEW
"Middle school geniuses Sam, Martina, and Theo head to Glacier National Park to find the second of seven artifacts—keys that unlock a secret weapon left by the Founding Fathers. The clues here lead them toward Thomas Jefferson’s key, the Eagle’s Quill, at a Montana ranch. But dangerous Gideon Arnold is hot on their trail. He takes their chaperone and the ranch owners hostage until the kids deliver the key. Can Sam, Martina, and Theo, with the help of rancher girl Abby, find the quill before it's too late? They enter the wilderness to solve riddles and escape traps that protect the quill… but if they find it, can they keep it away from Arnold?"
POSITIVE ELEMENTS
Sam, Theo and Marty have a developed a strong friendship and overcome lots of challenges. Also a ton of facts and historical references.
SPIRITUAL ELEMENTS
One mention of the Trinity.
VIOLENCE
Theo, Sam, Marty and Abby get chased by a mountain lion and a grizzly bear. Injures mentions. Mentions of bleeding, pain and someone breaking a bone. Sam, Theo and Marty get locked in a barn and a fire starts. Mentions of being near death. Guns and other weapons described. People get kidnapped. There is a betrayal.
LANGUAGE
None.
DRUGS/ALCOHOL
None
OTHER NOTES
Loved this book. It's a nice quick read with lots of adventure.
**
If I missed anything plz let me know in the comments.
*contented sigh* I read the first book about a year ago and fell in love with the characters all over again in this cute, middle grade story. Even though it isn't very long, "The Eagles Quill" is full to bursting with adventure, puzzles and facts. The only thing I had problems with was, being from Montana, some of the animal attacks were a little unrealistic. Grizzly bears often won't attack unless provoked or if you sneak up on them. Most the time if you give them space you're fine..but I suppose it could happen, bears are dangerous.
**
OVERVIEW
"Middle school geniuses Sam, Martina, and Theo head to Glacier National Park to find the second of seven artifacts—keys that unlock a secret weapon left by the Founding Fathers. The clues here lead them toward Thomas Jefferson’s key, the Eagle’s Quill, at a Montana ranch. But dangerous Gideon Arnold is hot on their trail. He takes their chaperone and the ranch owners hostage until the kids deliver the key. Can Sam, Martina, and Theo, with the help of rancher girl Abby, find the quill before it's too late? They enter the wilderness to solve riddles and escape traps that protect the quill… but if they find it, can they keep it away from Arnold?"
POSITIVE ELEMENTS
Sam, Theo and Marty have a developed a strong friendship and overcome lots of challenges. Also a ton of facts and historical references.
SPIRITUAL ELEMENTS
One mention of the Trinity.
VIOLENCE
Theo, Sam, Marty and Abby get chased by a mountain lion and a grizzly bear. Injures mentions. Mentions of bleeding, pain and someone breaking a bone. Sam, Theo and Marty get locked in a barn and a fire starts. Mentions of being near death. Guns and other weapons described. People get kidnapped. There is a betrayal.
LANGUAGE
None.
DRUGS/ALCOHOL
None
OTHER NOTES
Loved this book. It's a nice quick read with lots of adventure.
**
If I missed anything plz let me know in the comments.
April 14, 2023
abby is wildly annoying and is in too much of this book for me to rate it higher
September 17, 2018
I'm happy/mad that I called the ending on this a quarter of the way through and figured out that
More puzzles, more history, and more "National Treasure" type escapades but things go to a deeper level with Sam questioning where loyalties lie. Good stuff. Heads up for violence (both against people and animal), lying, and general mayhem. Once again loyalty for friends and family, strong patriotism and strong messages about keeping one's word, and protecting one's country and the whole world basically from a maniacal mad man (mwahaha!).
I definitely want to read the third book and see where this keeps going.
More puzzles, more history, and more "National Treasure" type escapades but things go to a deeper level with Sam questioning where loyalties lie. Good stuff. Heads up for violence (both against people and animal), lying, and general mayhem. Once again loyalty for friends and family, strong patriotism and strong messages about keeping one's word, and protecting one's country and the whole world basically from a maniacal mad man (mwahaha!).
I definitely want to read the third book and see where this keeps going.
February 19, 2017
This very exciting chapter book is about three kids, Sam, Marty, and Theo, who are searching for artifacts left by the founding fathers. This one is the second in the series and I didn't read the first one, but this one stood on it's own very well. Sam, Marty, and Theo are great at solving puzzles and riddles, which is great, because the founding fathers didn't exactly leave them a map. Each of the clues lead them to a different national park. This one is set in Glacier and so parts of it reference things in the park and parts have historical reference. The story is very fast paced and has a very evil villain. I think kids are going to like this one a lot.
March 2, 2020
This was a fun continuation of the series with more puzzles and clues that made the first book so good. I really enjoy this ensemble cast and how they manage to work together despite their very different personalities. The clues to the big twist at the end were subtly laid out throughout the course of the book so it wasn't a huge surprise and you could see it coming if you looked closely enough. Can't wait to see how the series ends!
April 30, 2025
Loved this one too. I really liked that they don't sugar coat who Thomas Jefferson was- pointing out that he wrote "all men are created equal" while owning slaves, some of whom were his own children with Sally Hemmings.
This one I felt like had more action going than the first one- and I think that's largely because the main storyline of the Founders had already been set up so it was just a continuation of the story.
This one I felt like had more action going than the first one- and I think that's largely because the main storyline of the Founders had already been set up so it was just a continuation of the story.
October 26, 2020
The Eagle's Quill by Sara L. Thomson
This book is so so good. It is a Middle Grade Book. It is about these kids who goes on a Adventure and than things starts to happen. I love this book.
I give this book 5/5 Stars. I will read the rest of the books in this Series.
Happy Reading :)
This book is so so good. It is a Middle Grade Book. It is about these kids who goes on a Adventure and than things starts to happen. I love this book.
I give this book 5/5 Stars. I will read the rest of the books in this Series.
Happy Reading :)
September 29, 2017
Very creative creation of a contemporary children's adventure story containing historical elements from the founding of the United States of America. Great way to get kids more interested in history!
July 14, 2018
Great way to get kids interested in American History.
February 10, 2019
3.5 stars. Fun, quick story with a twist that I probably should have seen coming, ().
February 13, 2022
Exciting non stop action - racing against the bad guys to orevent them from getting their hands on an ultimate weapon of mass destruction!
December 28, 2022
3.5 stars
October 8, 2023
What a fun adventure! Great way to encourage interest in history and its relevance today.
March 11, 2017
cool
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2017
Engaging adventure book for middle grades. Action packed and good story line.
Want to read
February 20, 2017I received a copy of this book from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
April 1, 2017I'm 71 years "young" and enjoyed reading this book . The young teenage children in this story were very brave and adventures was what they liked. They went places I would never venture to . I enjoyed the book very much , and will pass it on to my grandchildren to read also .
April 2, 2017
National Treasure meets middle school
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews