WARNING: This review contains spoilers. It is written for busy parents who want to know what their child is reading, but don’t have time to read the book themselves. Now for the review …
In this fifth (and supposedly final) book in the Secret series, a class trip to the local natural history museum turns dangerous when Cass accidentally breaks a mummy’s finger.
As punishment, Cass and her friends Max-Ernest and Yo-Yoji are sent to work for the curator of the mummy exhibit, only to be blamed when the mummy goes missing.
As Cass and her friends race to clear their names and uncover the Secret, they meet the evil Mrs. Mauvais and Dr. L, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the Secret before the kids.
The good things
The pseudonym Bosch did it again! You have to stop this is a fun and suspenseful story for children that is hard to put down.
This book is part mystery … part “coming of age”, but the main theme that runs through the entire series is friendship. It’s gratifying for the reader to see Cass and Max-Ernest start out as loners and end as close friends who trust and need each other.
Violence
As with the other books in the Secret series, any “violence” is mild.
For instance:
– Lord Pharaoh’s ghost tries to replace the mummy’s missing finger by cutting off Dr. L’s finger to put it in its place. (This is “said”, not “shown”).
– Lord Pharaoh’s henchmen grab Cass and her friends. Max-Ernest and Yo-Yoji are thrown outside, but Cass is encased in a canopic jar, a container that was historically used by the Egyptians to store the organs of the dead.
– While rescuing Cass, Yo-Yoji attacks Lord Pharaoh and immobilizes him to the ground.
Magic, sorcery and spirituality
You have to stop this contains many references to ancient Egypt and its gods, particularly Thoth.
For instance …
– The Book of Thoth is said to contain all the spells in the universe.
Cass has the Ring of Thoth in her possession and it contains magical powers. When placed on the mummy’s finger, the Secret is revealed.
– If Lord Pharaoh learns the Secret first, he will become immortal and almighty. He would no longer be just a ghost. He could claim any body he wishes as his own and walk the earth as a living god.
– When Cass places the Ring of Thoth on the mummy’s finger, she has some kind of out-of-body experience where she is flying over the Nile River.
Sexual content
Neither.
Drugs and alcohol
Neither.
Obscene language
Neither.
Other negative things
As with the other secret books, Cass and Max-Ernest have to lie to their parents a lot to have their adventures. And that’s not all …
The pseudonym Bosch mentions a “private part” that supposedly fell from King Tut’s mummy. (You can have fun explaining that to your child!)
Also, a casino waitress and some of the dancers from Lord Pharaoh’s magic show are described as “almost naked” and “scantily clad.”
My two cents
You have to stop this it really is a fun read for kids. The characters are personable … the plot is full of unexpected twists … and the illustrations are whimsical. Plus, the “extras” brought in by the ever-intrusive narrator add to the book’s appeal.
In general, you have to stop. This is an entertaining and kid-friendly book. It is totally appropriate for the recommended age group: 9 years and up.
