In 1936 twelve-year-old Lewis Carter finds himself in Berlin, Germany, at the heart of Nazi territory, on a convoluted trail to uncovering the whereabouts of his long-missing, presumed-dead father, Professor Harold Carter. Lewis is armed with a street map, an address, and of course his best friend, Pearl Alice Clavell. But even Pearl's wealthy (and somewhat suspect) connections cannot protect them from the dangers that lurk at every swastika-draped corner. As they draw closer to finding Lewis's father, they discover that the professor is at the center of a deadly plot that threatens global stability and there very outcome of the impending war. The two friends must use all their street wiles--with the help of a Flash or two--to save the day as well as their skins!
Young readers will learn hard truths about the era, including the Nazis’ genocide against Jews and others, as well as the shame of having a collaborator in the family. Still, despite the authors’ deft handling of the real-world stakes of the historical conflict, readers will cheer as the good guys come ever closer to winning the day—not only Lewis and Pearl but also eccentric old Lillian Whitford, Pearl, and some other unexpected heroes. Tense close calls keep the pages turning, including hiding in a secret room in Berlin as Nazis search the building and outsmarting a henchman trying to kill them. A cruel steel magnate, a villain from earlier in the series, makes an exciting reappearance with further nefarious deeds; here, too, the blend of history and adventure is skillfully handled, as his henchmen are disposed of in satisfying fashion.
While the story ends on yet another cliffhanger as the team focuses on its next case, readers will forgive the authors, who ably demonstrate what heroic preteens can do with a “flash”—a remarkably effective diversion tactic that their enemies are determined to capture. This spirited tale will attract readers both old and new. Middle-grade readers will devour the latest installment of the Flash Gang and eagerly anticipate the next.
Takeaway: Rip-roaring middle-grade thriller blending history and adventure before World War II.
Comparable Titles: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s The War that Saved My Life, Joan Hiatt Harlow’s The Watcher.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-
