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We the Children: Keepers of the School, Book 1 Audiobook
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(3.02) - 881 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Benjamin Pratt’s school is about to become the site of a new amusement park. It sounds like a dream come true! But lately, Ben has been wondering if he’s going to like an amusement park in the middle of his town—with all the buses and traffic and eight dollar slices of pizza. It’s going to change everything. And, Ben is not so big on all the new changes in his life, like how his dad has moved out and started living in the marina on what used to be the "family” sailboat. Maybe it would be nice if the school just stayed as it is. He likes the school. Loves it, actually. It’s over 200 years old and sits right on the harbor. The playground has ocean breezes and the classrooms have million dollar views…MILLION DOLLAR views. And after a chance—and final—run-in with the school janitor, Ben starts to discover that these MILLION DOLLAR views have a lot to do with the deal to sell the school property. But, as much as the town wants to believe it, the school does not belong to the local government. It belongs to the CHILDREN and these children have the right to defend it!
Don’t think Ben, his friend Jill (and the tag-along Robert) can ruin a multimillion dollar real estate deal? Then you don’t know the history and the power of the Keepers of the School. A suspenseful six book series, book one, We the Children, starts the battle on land and on sea. It’s a race to keep the school from turning into a ticket booth and these kids are about to discover just how threatening a little knowledge can be.
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"It's actually a pretty fun series. It's a really easy read and I can see sixth graders really enjoying the story. The books feel like they end a little weird to me- almost like I am reading a television series, but it's not bad. Just different. "
— Angela (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Suspenseful…Clements has the makings of an action-lover's dream scenario: a school setting full of history and secrets, a tense kids-versus-adults dynamic, and a sailing race to boot…exciting.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Andrew Clements excels at creating provocative stories that take place in realistic school settings, and narrator Keith Nobbs excels at bringing them to life…Nobbs skillfully highlights the boy’s emotions without overdramatizing them. He captures the tones and rhythms of middle school voices, distinguishing them clearly from the occasional adult voices. The lively centerpiece of the story is his insightful portrayal of Benjamin, a likable character who ensures listeners’ engagement with the story.”
— AudioFile -
“The perfect read for kids who dig school and aren’t too shy (yet) to admit it.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review -
“What sets this title apart is the skillful way that Clements conveys Benjamin’s growing appreciation of his seaside hometown’s landscape and history. Readers will look forward to finding out how the disparate clues come together in coming installments.”
— Booklist -
“Exciting…Good writing by an experienced author, likable characters, and a mystery to be solved make this a solid choice.”
— School Library Journal
We the Children Listener Reviews
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" It was a really good mystery book, but it left me hanging. Now I'll have to read the second book! "
— Alyssa, 2/20/2014 -
" Good book for kids who enjoy mysteries. Slow to start... but revs up a bit once the details of the plot start coming together. Enjoyable and easy to read, thanks to Andrew Clement's ability to reflect typical conversation between kids and adults. Probably a good read-aloud, since each chapter ends with a mysterious tone, which leads the reader to want to continue and see what happens. Curious to read the subsequent books in the series and see how the story develops. Hoping they begin to focus more on the main plot (saving the school), as this book really only started to set the general story and characters. "
— Alyssa, 2/19/2014 -
" It was a smooth, enjoyable read, but ended too soon. I do want to keep reading the series. "
— Bridget, 2/14/2014 -
" This book was a good read and very worth it... so I bought the sequel! It also got me interested in knowing more about my school. "
— Bobhyrax, 2/11/2014 -
" Reminds me of the movie "Goonies" and I'm interested enough to pick up the second book. "
— Heather, 1/9/2014 -
" Includes an unnecessary and rather boring boat race, but it was good enough to make me want to read the second book in the series. "
— Robert, 1/5/2014 -
" Ben and Jill have been entrusted with a mission to save their school. The school is in danger of being torn down and made into a theme park, but an old dead sea captain foresaw a possible attack, and Ben and Jil must now figure out the clues that can help them save it. "
— Ms., 1/5/2014 -
" I got lost about in the middle of this book. I do not like how it has blue illustrations, instead of black and white. Highly not recommended. "
— Matthew, 1/1/2014 -
" This was interesting for the boys and was okay for me as well. This is the start of a series and there was no closure at all in the main story line. It's like this book was the first 10 chapters of a really long story. Guess we'll have to read the rest of them. "
— Jacqueline, 12/29/2013 -
" I was really excited to read this book after hosting the amazing Andrew Clements at my library. I LOVED it and can't wait to read what comes next! "
— April, 11/15/2013 -
" Read this book on the recommendation of my oldest son. I really, really liked it. Can't wait for the next book. "
— Mandi, 10/19/2013 -
" Very intriguing! A new style for older students by fave author Andrew Clements. The illustrations are cool too. Looking forward to reading the next in this series! "
— Luisa, 10/18/2013 -
" As a stand-a-lone book, this is pretty good. As the first book in a series, it opens up all sorts of interesting possibilities. Can't wait to read more! "
— Elizabeth, 7/22/2013 -
" those strs are for the series, not just this book "
— Lizzy, 6/14/2013 -
" Here's a different type of school story from Andrew Clements. This was an interesting start to his mystery series. "
— Christi, 3/15/2013 -
" The plot seems a little too contrived. The font that the book is set in is also a little small for the target audience. The mystery will appeal to fans chapter book mysteries. "
— Mary, 12/9/2012 -
" So Andrew Clements has not let me down with this book. I can even appreciate the cliff-hanger -- and that usually just irritates me. "
— Mary, 11/25/2012 -
" I liked this story. I thought it was an easy read and there are not many cliffhanger stories for kids. "
— Heather, 10/13/2012 -
" A 2011-2012 Great Stone Face nominee. If you are interested in sailing and mysteries, this is a great book. The first in a series and it leaves me wanting to read more! "
— Cheri, 9/20/2012 -
" Argh! A cliffhanger ending; Andrew Clements is a fantastic author and book one of The Keepers of the School is black-and-white proof! I look forward to reading the next book in this series. "
— pati, 12/20/2011 -
" The book has great writing and is a fast-paced mystery but there is no ending. It stops in the middle and setups for the next book. I felt jipped. "
— Barb, 12/19/2011 -
" Kind of dumb, right when the plot started getting sort of interesting the book ended...so now I have to wait for the next book, but I probably won't ever read it. Oh well... "
— Mallory, 9/3/2011 -
" Didn't think I was going to like it at first, but I'm hooked! "
— Mary, 6/25/2011 -
" Here's a different type of school story from Andrew Clements. This was an interesting start to his mystery series. "
— Christi, 6/4/2011 -
" Interesting plot, good characterization, unresolved ending that makes you want to read the next book in the series. You just can't go wrong with any book by Andrew Clements. "
— Georgene, 5/29/2011 -
" A 2011-2012 Great Stone Face nominee. If you are interested in sailing and mysteries, this is a great book. The first in a series and it leaves me wanting to read more! "
— Cheri, 5/19/2011 -
" Emma liked this one a lot and is asking for the others in the series. "
— Angela, 4/3/2011 -
" Great start to a new series, love the history element to this book. "
— Tony, 3/27/2011 -
" There's a lot of setup for very little action. We kind of know who one antagonist is, we kind of know that a foe might become a friend ... kind of. The mystery was fun, but I expected more plot development--it felt more like the first chapter of a book than the first installment in a series. "
— Bethany, 3/22/2011 -
" i think its ok its like a mystery ben dosnt want the new janetor to get a gold coin.... "
— Kadenfootball, 3/2/2011 -
" A different kind of Clements book. I would like to read the next one. Did not expect the cliff hanger ending. Lots going on in the story, maybe too much. "
— Kathy, 2/27/2011 -
" Good start for a fun series. I like the bits about sailing. The main character is definitely believable and like-able. "
— Annie, 2/25/2011
About Andrew Clements
Andrew Clements is the author of the enormously successful children’s novel Frindle. He has won two Christopher Awards and an Edgar Award, and more than ten million of his books are in print. His popular works include About Average, Troublemaker, Extra Credit, and others. Clements is a graduate of Northwestern and National Louis universities, and he currently lives in central Massachusetts with his wife.
About Keith Nobbs
Keith Nobbs is a stage, television, and film actor who is best known for his portrayal of Joey Ice Cream in the television series The Black Donnellys. He has acted on Broadway with the Roundabout Theatre Company and appeared in such television shows as The Sopranos, Law & Order, and New York Undercover.