A King's Ransom facts for kids
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| Author | Jude Watson |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel Adventure novel |
| Published | December 6, 2011 |
| Publisher | Scholastic |
| Pages | 192 |
| Preceded by | The Medusa Plot |
| Followed by | The Dead of Night |
A King's Ransom is an exciting adventure book. It's the second book in the Cahills vs. Vesper's series. Jude Watson wrote this book, and it came out on December 6, 2011. The story picks up right after the first book. It follows Dan and Amy Cahill as they try to rescue their kidnapped family members. They go on a thrilling journey to uncover secrets.
Contents
The Adventure Begins
The story starts with Dan and Amy Cahill in Florence, Italy. They are at a train station. They need to get on a train but can't do it alone. So, they make friends with a girl named Vanessa Mallory. She helps them get on board. Once on the train, Amy learns they must find a very old map. It's called the De Virga World Map. This map has been missing since 1932. It was last seen at an auction house in Lucerne, Switzerland.
A Tricky Encounter
As Dan and Amy talk, they realize something important. Vanessa is not who she seems. She is actually an imposter! The siblings quickly hide in the luggage area. They stay hidden until the train reaches Engelberg. From there, they escape and call the Cahill Command Center. They learn that Vanessa is Vesper 6, also known as Cheyenne Wyoming. The Cahills decide to start their search where the map was last seen. Ian Kabra tells them how to dress to fit in at the auction.
Searching for Clues
Dan and Amy dress up and go to the auction. They sneak into the record room. They start looking for any clues about the map. While searching, they see a fax come in. It has their names and faces on it! The fax says they are wanted by INTERPOL. A detective named Milos Vanek is looking for them. They get caught, but not before taking a photo of an important document. They send the photo to Ian. He tells them it's a list of people who might have bought the map.
Escape to Basel
After leaving the auction house, Dan and Amy meet McIntyre. He tells them it's too dangerous to stay in Lucerne. He takes them to Basel, Switzerland. There, the siblings decide to investigate two names: Jane Sperling and Hummel.
New Leads and Old Enemies
Amy does some research. She finds out they need to go to the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. Meanwhile, Jonah Wizard and Hamilton Holt arrive to help. On their way to the castle, they meet Cheyenne again. She is disguised as someone needing a ride. They give her a lift. But Hamilton soon realizes who she is! They quickly ditch her and Hamilton takes her phone. Jonah and Hamilton then head towards Dan and Amy. They worry their friends might be in danger.
Castle Secrets
Dan and Amy explore the castle. They are looking for clues. They find another secret code. They also run into Casper Wyoming. Dan and Amy use Jonah's name to create a distraction. This helps them escape from the castle.
Prague and a Mysterious Text
Hamilton shows the group a new lead. It suggests going to The Library of Philosophy and Cosmology in Prague, Czech Republic. At the library, Dan and Amy try to get in. They use Dr. Rosenbloom's name, but it doesn't work. However, Amy gets a text message from Sinead Starling. The text says that Cheyenne's last message was from Kunta Hora. This place is not far from Prague.
Unexpected Help
Meanwhile, Jake and Atticus Rosenbloom find out about Dan and Amy. They learn that the siblings tried to use their father's name at the library. Atticus remembers his mother. She told him to stay friends with Dan. She said Atticus was a "Guardian." Atticus convinces Jake to go to Prague to help.
The Map Revealed
Dan and Amy arrive at the Sedlec Ossuary, a unique chapel. Sinead tells them that Cheyenne's text came from a computer. The siblings find the computer. They try to look at the files. They can only see one file before it starts to erase itself! Dan and Amy leave quickly because it feels dangerous. Before they go, they see the initials of their father: AJT (Arthur Josiah Trent).
Working Together
Later, at a hotel, Amy learns they now have access to the library. At the library, Dan and Amy meet Atticus and Jake. The four agree to work together. Dan and Amy tell Jake and Atticus about the Vespers. They explain how their family members have been kidnapped. Inside the library, they search through old books. They look at the works of Brahe and Kepler. Inside one book, Mysterium Cosmographicum, they find the De Virga Map!
A Narrow Escape
At the same time, Casper and Cheyenne are also in the library. They start a fire to try and trap Dan and Amy. They plan to use the library's special gas. This gas removes oxygen from the air. But Dan and Amy are saved! They manage to grab the map. Sadly, they are unable to save Atticus.
New Dangers and a New Destination
Atticus is kidnapped by the Wyomings. Meanwhile, William McIntyre is killed by a Vesper. The group talks and realizes something important. The map and another clue, Il Milione, point to Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Their adventure continues!
Images for kids
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The cover of A King's Ransom.
