The Secret Keepers

While on a surreptitious expedition through the Lower Downs of New Umbra, Reuben Pedley discovers a treasure: an antique pocket watch with a winding key. His attempts to sell the watch attract the attention of The Smoke, the elusive power that holds all of New Umbra in its thrall. With the help of elderly watchmaker Mrs. Genevieve, Reuben discovers the watch's amazing power: when the hour hand is set to twelve and the key is wound, the watch turns the bearer invisible. And so begins Reuben's adventure, seeking the history of the watch among a family of lighthouse keepers and learning why The Smoke is so desperate to get his hands on it. The plot builds with a simplicity that slots each element firmly into place before adding complications, leading to a clean, comprehensible line that makes the book's nearly six hundred pages flow effortlessly. Stewart (The Mysterious Benedict Society, rev. 3/07, and sequels) is thoroughly in touch with young readers' delight in all things sneaky and hidden, and for Reuben in particular, the desire to observe without being observed is in line with his character. Will Reuben be able to use his understanding of the watch's fascination to anticipate The Smoke's next move without being seduced by the watch's power himself? Sudyka's black-and-white vignette art at the chapter headings, and frequent full-page illustrations, lend a slightly gloomy, timeworn air to the proceedings as Stewart's ingenious what if? unspools to its thrilling conclusion. anita l. burkam

Reuben Pedley discovers an antique pocket watch with the power to turn the bearer invisible. As Reuben seeks the history of the watch and why villain The Smoke is so desperate to get his hands on it, the plot builds with a clean, comprehensible line that makes the over-five-hundred pages read effortlessly. Black-and-white illustrations lend a slightly gloomy, timeworn air.