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Editorial Content for Audacity Jones to the Rescue

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Audacity Jones to the Rescue

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Maya Berman

Reviewer (text)

Maya Berman

Audacity is a spunky, adventurous girl stuck in a suffocatingly monotonous orphanage called Miss Maisie's School for Wayward Girls. Though she loves the company of the girls there, (well, all accept one), Audacity is sick and tired of the orphanage and wishes for an escape. So, when the perfect opportunity for a grand adventure knocks at the orphanage door, she's the first to open it. 

A plump, well-dressed man named Commodore Crutchfield asks her to go on a super secret mission, but he can’t reveal the details. That same night, she hops in his car and they drive off to Washington, D.C. She cannot imagine a better journey as they eat at expensive restaurants, sleep at posh hotels and shop for a whole new wardrobe.  However, once in D.C., she realizes that the Commodore isn't who he seems to be.  She discovers that an evil plot is brewing and the President of the United States may be at risk.  All alone in a new city, Audacity tries to find her way before things take a turn for the worst.

Author Kirby Larson wrote an adventure perfect for middle-grade readers.  Her writing reminds me of Pseudonymous Bosch.

Author Kirby Larson wrote an adventure perfect for middle-grade readers.  Her writing reminds me of Pseudonymous Bosch, the pen name of the author of The Secret Series books that I used to read when I was in middle school. Both authors write about a child taking on a dangerous mission much bigger than themselves and clues found in unusual spaces.  Like Bosch, Larson does a fantastic job describing the world from a child's point of view, and her protagonist uses this perspective as a tool to solve the case. 

That said, not all of Larson's plot points are resolved clearly. In one side story, girls who left one place mysteriously came back and greeted Audacity in a completely different place without an explanation. It was a big enough problem to make me wonder about it for the duration of the novel. 

One thing that made AUDACITY JONES TO THE RESCUE unique was that it was that much of the story was based on historical events.  For example, former President Taft did love Terrapin Soup and automobiles, and his wife did suffer from health-related issues.  I love books with a little truth to them, and these facts gave this novel the spark that it needed. 

If you're an 8-11 year old girl or boy who loves The Secret Series or adventure books in general, this is a book for you.

Teaser

 
Audacity Jones is an eleven-year-old orphan who aches for adventure, a challenge to break up the monotony of her life at Miss Maisie's School for Wayward Girls. Life as a wayward girl isn't so bad; Audie has the best of friends, a clever cat companion and plenty of books to read. Still, she longs for some excitement, like the characters in the novels she so loves encounter.
 
So when the mysterious Commodore Crutchfield visits the school and whisks Audie off to Washington, DC, she knows she's in for the journey of a lifetime. 

Promo

Audacity Jones is an eleven-year-old orphan who aches for adventure, a challenge to break up the monotony of her life at Miss Maisie's School for Wayward Girls. Life as a wayward girl isn't so bad; Audie has the best of friends, a clever cat companion and plenty of books to read. Still, she longs for some excitement, like the characters in the novels she so loves encounter.
 
So when the mysterious Commodore Crutchfield visits the school and whisks Audie off to Washington, DC, she knows she's in for the journey of a lifetime. But soon, it becomes clear that the Commodore has unsavory plans for Audie --- plans that involve the president of the United States and a sinister kidnapping plot.

About the Book

Audacity Jones is an eleven-year-old orphan who aches for adventure, a challenge to break up the monotony of her life at Miss Maisie's School for Wayward Girls. Life as a wayward girl isn't so bad; Audie has the best of friends, a clever cat companion and plenty of books to read. Still, she longs for some excitement, like the characters in the novels she so loves encounter.
 
So when the mysterious Commodore Crutchfield visits the school and whisks Audie off to Washington, DC, she knows she's in for the journey of a lifetime. But soon, it becomes clear that the Commodore has unsavory plans for Audie --- plans that involve the president of the United States and a sinister kidnapping plot. Before she knows it, Audie winds up in the White House kitchens, where she's determined to stop the Commodore dead in his tracks. Can Audie save the day before it's too late?