  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 07/01/2016 Gr 5 Up—Parkour practitioner Reuben Pedley has been having a hard time since his mom lost her job and they had to move to a different (and poorer) part of the city. Friendless, he spends his days avoiding the Directions, the enforcement officers of the mysterious Smoke, who runs the city. On one of these afternoons, he finds a very interesting object after getting himself stuck on a ledge while he was supposed to be at home. What he discovers crammed in the masonry of a wall is an extremely old pocket watch that he is certain is worth a large sum and might just help him and his mother leave the poor part of town. Instead, he realizes that the watch has a little bit of magic in it, which gives him a special ability. Regrettably, the Directions learn of the presence of the watch, and they will stop at nothing to bring it to the Smoke. Only Reuben and his newfound friends have what it takes to solve the mystery of the watch and save their city. VERDICT Fans of Stewart's "Mysterious Benedict Society" and series like it will devour his latest novel. This epic story filled with adventure and twists and turns is certain to keep readers' interest from beginning to end.—Wayne R. Cherry Jr., First Baptist Academy Library, Houston - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Bulletin for the Center... - 09/01/2016 Fans of the Mysterious Benedict Society series (BCCB 5/07, etc.) will be thrilled to see a new Stewart novel, and this adventure easily lives up to the high bar set by the previous ones with sharp character development, a good batch of minor mysteries, and a fascinating, albeit grim, setting. Reuben’s life doesn’t offer much joy; since his mother works long hours to support him, he mostly wanders the streets alone, avoiding bad kids and seeking minor adventures. When he finds a strange watch, the action revs up considerably; suddenly Reuben is thrust into a world of intrigue and life and death chases, as he is sought by some formidable enemies who want the powerful magic watch for their own dastardly purposes. Amiable Reuben has no problem getting some folks on his side, but he’s so used to being on his own that he doesn’t always accept help with grace. The Smoke is an excellent main villain, creepy and oozing menace, and his various henchmen are worthy additions to the novel. This lengthy novel offers a bit of dystopia, a bit of maritime mystery, some magic, and, at the core, a lonely kid who deserves any bit of good that comes to him, and readers will undoubtedly be hoping for a sequel. Final art not seen. AS - Copyright 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Booklist - 08/01/2016 Reuben lives to skirt through the shadows and climb high walls. Atop one of those walls, he finds an antique clock, which, he learns, is sought by the mysterious bully, the Smoke, who runs the depressed city. As Reuben discovers the timepiece’s magical properties, he also finds clues that point to its proper owners. But the closer he comes to the truth, the harder it is to contemplate giving up an object that might give him and his mother the security they so desperately need. Stewart, author of the Mysterious Benedict Society books, offers a stellar cast here. Reuben, a refreshing mix of daredevil and terrified tween, meets his match in a lively family whose history with the clock brings them into battle with dastardly forces. Reuben’s hardworking mother especially lights up the story. There are adventures aplenty—perhaps too many. As this page-heavy book goes on, they weigh down the liveliness of the story. Readers, however, will persevere, caught up in the mystery of the clock and the persistence of its pursuers. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. Loading...
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