The Magnificent 12: The Key
Charged with gathering a dozen 12-year-olds with (wait for it) “enlightened puissance” to save the planet, multiphobic Mack brings his total up to 7 in this third episode in the Magnificent 12 series. Along the way, he also assembles a key to a magical language, turns the Loch Ness monster from a plesiosaur into a gigantic duck, transports the Eiffel Tower over the Seine, and fends off a variety of monsters. Back home, the dim-witted golem he left to go to school in his place is undergoing considerable character development. The series continues to gather steam, driven by a winning mix of danger, suspense, and daffy doings.   st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } Grades 5-8. --John Peters