The first book in a new series, Keepers of the School, introduces Benjamin Pratt a middle-grader at an historic elementary school on the coast of his New England town. Benjamin is heading toward his class one morning, when he runs into the custodian, who is having problems. While waiting for help, the old custodian presses as gold coin into Benjamin's hand and tells him that he is now he must be the one to fight for the school. The school, which was founded in the late 1700s, has been sold to developers who are planning to tear it down and build an amusement park. After the custodian dies, Benjamin must follow the clue on the coin, with the help of his friend Jill, to other clues that will presumably help them stop the planned demolition. I say presumed because the first book ends in a cliffhanger, it is the first of a six part series. What's there is thoughtful and exciting, including a sailing race that is the climax of the book. The second book, Fear Itself, is being published on September 7, 2010. We the Children by Andrew Clements. Illustrated by Adam Stower. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2010.
