When unemployed web designer Clay Jan-non applies for a job as night clerk in Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, he finds a narrow, three-story shop where haphazardly arranged books must be accessed by ladders. Only an occasional customer visits, arousing Clay's curiosity. Helped by his techie friends, Clay uncovers a mysterious cult that is dedicated to solving a puzzle hundreds of years old. Ari Fliakos's narration convincingly captures the enthusiasm of the youthful narrator as well as the older Mr. Penumbra. An entertaining blend of old and new technologies, books vs. computers. Sloan's story, with its many references to a dragon trilogy, will appeal chiefly to young adults and those who read more for quirky plot than for character development. VERDICT Recommended for those seeking a light mystery that celebrates the digital age.
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