Day 23: Middleworld: The Jaguar Stones Book One by J&P Voelkel

Max Murphy lives a very boring life in Boston with his archeologist parents. Max spends a lot of time alone playing video games because his parents are more interested in the Ancient Mayan world they are in him. One day his parents announce that they are headed to Central America for a dig at recently discovered Mayan site. Max is resigned to spending the summer being babysat by the strange nanny Zia, when he is mysteriously summoned to San Xavier by his parents. When he arrives he finds his parents are missing. Soon, Max is mixed up with a Mayan girl, Lola on a crazy adventure through the rain forest. Lola and Max are pulled into an adventure involving Mayan gods, ancient curses, the mysterious and powerful Jaguar stones and the possible end of the world. I picked up this book because my students are always looking for books life Percy Jackson. This was an new concept involving Mayan history. I liked parts of the book but I did not love it. Not all of the characters are developed very well. The authors introduce so many characters that pop in and out of the book. I found myself flip back to remember who they were and how Max knew them. The story ends with a lot of loose ends and storylines hanging out there. I’m not sure I would remember them all for book two. I think this might be tough to find an audience for. Not many kids will stick with it to the end. It might find a home with a determined reader who is interested in archeology and ancient societies. I would recommend this for fifth grade and up.