  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 08/01/2016 Gr 4–7—Thirteen-year-old Jack and his little sister Sadie come to London with their mom in search of their missing dad. The kids stumble upon the Baker Street Branch of the Lost Property Office, managed by a Mrs. Hudson and established by the Ministry of Trackers. It turns out that Dad is really a Tracker, with a supernatural ability to read clues in stone (one that Jack shares) and he's been kidnapped by a mysterious Frenchman called the Clockmaker, who wants Jack to find the magical Ember, which started the Great Fire of 1666. Jack and a young apprentice clerk named Gwen experience a series of wild adventures through time and hidden, magical corners of the city (think "Harry Potter" meets Dr. Who, with steampunk-esque beetle drones). Jack discovers things about his family and their place in history that are beyond anything he could have ever imagined. Jack is originally described as having behaviors that could put him somewhere on the autism spectrum, but he doesn't show those behaviors past the opening chapters of the book. In fact, the characters are the least interesting part of this tale—it's the highly detailed magical world that stands out. Still, the ride is fast and fun. VERDICT Buy where fantasy flies off the shelf.—Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 09/15/2016 Hannibal’s lively debut employs magical detection to unravel the mysteries surrounding the Great Fire of London in 1666. Thirteen-year-old Jack Buckles and his little sister are visiting London while their mother searches the city for their missing father. When the siblings stumble upon the Lost Property Office, young apprentice clerk Gwen reveals that not only was their father a “tracker” (a clandestine government detective), but Jack is destined to be one, too. This information has barely had time to register before a cryptic message arrives from the Clockmaker, demanding that Jack bring him an artifact called the Ember by midnight—or John Buckles dies. With the help of Gwen (and her slightly too convenient knowledge of London history and the Ministry of Trackers) and an ability to read objects’ histories, Jack embarks on a high-stakes quest to save his father. Hannibal imaginatively delves into history by linking Jack’s search for the Ember with London’s historic fire. This fast-paced start to the Section 13 series will please readers who like their mysteries with fantasy and action. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. Loading...
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