Chaos in China. (The Spy Who Wasn't There, #3). Cora Taylor. Regina, SK: Coteau, 2009. 161 pp., pbk., $8.95. ISBN 978-1-55050-404-0. Grades 5-7 / Ages 10-12. Review by Elaine Fuhr. **** /4

excerpt:

Maggie was trying to remain calm. Why didn't Grand appear more concerned? Neither Grand nor Sam seemed to have considered that Jennifer might not have managed to become invisible. What if Hans or Fritz had grabbed her before she could disappear?

Chaos in China offers another amazing trip with Grand for Maggie and Jennifer, and this trip promises to be even more interesting than the last. Sam is invited again and would be visiting with his grandfather Martell near Xi'an, China. First a trip to see the Terra cotta Warriors, found in the tomb of Ch'in', is a must. Nearly 8000 "old soldiers" have been found in the tomb, and perhaps each one of them is a copy of an actual warrior. But, if the kids think that this will be a quiet, normal kind of sightseeing trip, they are going to be wrong. Jennifer's wish to see the warriors up close leads her to do her disappearing act, something she is really very good at from past experience. Sam becomes involved in a robbery attempt when two strange men try to steal his camera. He has no idea what can be in his many pictures that the thieves want. Even more puzzling is the arrival of Mr. Brady, the CIA agent, and Mr. Skopakos, the Greek tycoon. Both of these men had been part of the mystery in Mexico (See Murder in Mexico) in which Grand and the kids had inadvertently become involved. This trip is to be no exception; Grand and her young charges become deeply and dangerously involved in a situation that can destroy the earth's population.

      And along comes another exciting novel in Cora Taylor's "The Spy Who Wasn't There" series. This novel is a history lesson with a twist, a mystery that embroils the family in a dangerous trip around China. Each time the reader thinks that things have settled down and the family is safe, another incident spurs them into action. This well-written novel will keep youthful readers turning the pages until the very end.

Highly Recommended.

Elaine Fuhr is a retired Alberta teacher.

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