By: Jamie Steinberg
The National Archive Hunters are on the run again! This time their adventures surround Lady Liberty’s light with Iris and Ike re-teaming with petite French pal Luna in order to avoid an international incident. Author Matthew Landis does it again with a fascinating and historically fun tale that is action packed and absolutely intriguing in his latest middle grade read National Archive Hunters Eternal Flame.
Ten year old wins Iris and Ike Carter thought they had it rough preventing an art heist, but what happens when a piece of the original Lady Liberty flame goes missing? They must reunite with enemy turned friend Luna in order to assist the FBI Art Crimes Team in locating this historical item. It seems a piece of the 1916 flame has vanished and they only have six days to locate it as the Smithsonian has organized an anniversary event around it. Adding to the problem is Ike’s panic attacks over villain/stalker Cincinnatus’ promise to be seeing them. Ike, Iris, their mom and dad, Luna, Ruby and Agent Brooks dive into research on the construction of Lady Liberty, learning all they can on her designer Gustave Eiffel and sculptor Frederic Bartholdi – whisking them off on a fast-paced escapade that takes them from from Washington, D.C. to Paris and New York.
I absolutely loved Landis’ origin story National Archive Hunters Capitol Chase so I was excited a new tome had been released! Landis does a wonderful job at weaving together a story that envelopes the reader in historical events while deeply investing in the heist at hand. Readers will certainly find themselves engrossed and asking parents for extra reading time in order to find out what the next chapter holds. Additionally, as someone who personally suffers from panic attacks, I thought that sub-story line was very accurate and helpful for young adults that find themselves burdened by anxiety.
For your middle-grade readers I definitely recommend checking out National Archive Hunters Eternal Flame. Not only will they find themselves in a mystery that is fascinating and fun, but something that will enhance their knowledge of US history (possibly even without them being any the wiser). Do your kid a favor and grab a copy of this action-packed read and let your kids become modern day young Indiana Jones through Landis’ latest addition to the National Archive Hunters adventures.
Sidenote: Ike is totally going to marry Luna one day. Maybe National Archive Hunters Book 24 has their nuptials interrupted by a Victorian era jewelry heist?