Before there was J.K. Rowling or R.L. Stine there was a wonderful children;s (and occasionally adults) author named John Bellairs. His books were always action packed, full of intrigue, mystery and the supernatural. They were also usually filled with the spirit of a good old fashioned detective novel.
In The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt (1983) Bellairs gave readers yet another adventure from his favorite duo, John Dixon and Professor Childermass. John is a ten year old boy who lives with his grandparents due to the fact that his mother was killed in an accident and his father is a pilot in the Korean War (Bellairs likes to set his books in the 1950's). John is a shy boy who has trouble making friends with people his own age. His best friend is the Professor, a neighbor and 70 year old bachelor.
Throughout his novels about them, Bellairs explores their peculiar friendship and all of the adventures that they have based on their common interests (museums, old houses, puzzles, baseball, ice cream and chocolate). This book is no different and it starts with the duo in an old house that has been turned into a museum. They are learning about an eccentric man who was extremely rich at the time of his death yet failed to leave a will behind. John becomes interested in solving the puzzle, however the Professor tries to sway his interest away from it because he feels it is impossible.
John's life gets turned upside down when his grandmother has to have brain surgery. Before she has even started to recover, he also gets the news that his father is MIA. He becomes convinced that he can find the will and he sets off after it in order to earn the $10,000 reward. Along the way he meets several interesting characters and gets mixed up in a mysterious murder.
These stories are delightful and would make a perfect gift for the avid young reader (the suggested age range is 9-12, however an advanced reader should have no trouble with them from the age of 7). They will have that child turning the pages at a rapid pace (I know I did)!
Another nice thing about all of the Bellairs books is that they are interesting enough to also hold the interest of adults. They could be great for the family that reads together and they would also make a wonderful addition to a classroom.
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