The Door in the Alley

Reviewed by: Kara Reiman - Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 13, 2017

Review

The first book in the Explorers series, "The Door in the Alley," by Adrienne Kress is a great beginning to an awesome adventure. The book focuses on Sebastian and Evie, two young kids. Sebastian is a boy who has a photographic memory, is very logical, and always follows the rules. Evie is a girl whose parents have died and she is now living in an all-girls boarding school. One day, Sebastian goes down an alley (not on his prescribed route home, but due to his cousin making him late, he decides to make up time by taking a short cut) and discovers "The Explorers' Society."? This sets in motion all sorts of adventure (including daring escapes from bad guys, solving clues, breaking rules, and trying to rescue Evie's grandfather). This is a funny and interesting book that begins with a pig in a hat. I'd say it's a must-buy for your library if you have middle graders who love adventure. The only downside is that it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and the second book is not yet out. Reviewed by Kate Radke.

Overall Book Score: very good