The 39 Clues Books and Online Competitions
Collect the Clues and Solve the Puzzle to Win 39 Clues Prizes
Oct 7, 2008
The competition to collect and solve The 39 Clues began with the publication of The 39 Clues #1: The Maze of Bones (Scholastic, 2008) by Rick Riordan. With clues in each book of the series, online at The 39 Clues website and on a series of Clue cards, readers can join the Cahill family in the hunt for The 39 Clues.
The Cahill Family and The 39 Clues
Cahill family members from around the world gather at the funeral of the wealthy Grace Cahill. Amongst the many family members attending the funeral, her grandchildren, shy 14-year-old Amy and mischievous 11-year-old Dan, are the only ones grieving Grace’s death.
In her will, Grace offers selected family members a choice: they can take an inheritance of $1 million or they can receive the first in a series of 39 clues that will lead them on a journey to discover the source of the family’s wealth and power. Amy and Dan accept the challenge. Readers are also given the option of joining the hunt for clues.
The 39 Clues Competition
The 39 Clues competition is open to residents of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malaysia and Singapore. Minor 39 Clues competitions are run for limited periods of time. The Grand Prize entries open on 9th September 2008 and the competition closes on 31st December 2010.
Entry is open to children who are no younger than six and no older than 14 years old at 31st December 2008. Rules and regulations vary between countries and full registration details are available online. Information on entry without purchase of books or cards is also available at the site (does not apply to all countries).
The 39 Clues Registration and Website
To register, children must provide a username and password, date of birth and country of residence. Children under the age of 13 must also provide a parent’s email address for a confirmation email. There is no personal interaction on the site, ensuring a secure environment for younger players.
Once readers register online, additional clues and puzzles are available to allow players to accrue points and information to help solve future clues. Cards from both the books and card packs are printed with a unique code to allow them to be entered into a player’s virtual card gallery. Once entered, they allow players to access additional clues and information.
Facts, Clues, Maps, Books and Information
A combination of online information, books and/or cards can be used to solve The 39 Clues mystery. The more information accessed, the better their chances of accruing points and succeeding in the game and the competition.
The extensive amount of reading, problem solving and general knowledge required to complete the challenge means that many younger readers will require significant adult assistance. The first book also implies that the challenge will be perilous and possible fatal for some of the story characters, which might also be distressing for younger readers.
The 39 Clues Adventure Begins
Book #1: The Maze of Bones is a fast-paced, engaging book for children although the reading levels and some of the suspense aspects of the story may be inappropriate for younger readers. Book #2: One False Note by Gordon Korman will be available on 2 December 2008. Book #3: The Sword Thief by Peter Lerangis will be available on 3 March 2009. There are 10 books in total, with the final book available in September 2010.
The 39 Clues books and cards are ideal Christmas presents for adventure loving children in the competition age range. The challenging puzzles will get children thinking and the adventure storyline guarantees excitement.
The 39 Clues #1: The Maze of Bones (ISBN: 978-0-545-10075-5, 220 pages)
