National Archive Hunters 1: Capitol Chase

National Archive Hunters, by Matthew Landis, is a treasure. It combines a great story line with realistic, age appropriate dialogue. Ike and Iris Carter are ten year old twins who each have their own claims to fame. Ike is the more scholarly, who lives for history and all it’s cool facts. His sister, Iris is the physical one, excelling in running, soccer, and all athletic endeavors. Both kids have the usual rivalry often seen with twins. Each one knows just the right buttons to push to get under the skin of the other. A theft at the museum where their mother not only works, but who has a financial interest in as well, causes great concern in the Carter family. A young girl steals a valuable miniature portrait of George Washington, show more right under the noses of the twins. The theft of the historical relict from the early American exhibit may cause the museum to have to close. Whats worse, this is only the first a series of thefts, each seemingly more daring than the other. The twin’s mother introduces them to a friend of hers who works in the National Archives in order try to figure out what the next moves by the thief will be. The Carter family and their friend make a good team, but even their historical knowledge and physical attributes still seem to leave them a step behind the mysterious girl thief. This book has plenty of action and fast moving dialogue to keep young readers attention. The historical references are very educational without slowing the story line. A great start for a new series. This book was provided for review by Pixel&Ink books at Holiday House Publishing. show less