The Seven Keys of Balabad [Library Binding]

Paul Haven (Author), Mark Zug (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 27, 2009 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Welcome to Balabad, birthplace of the international secret society known as the Brotherhood of Arachosia. And rumored hiding place of the grandest riches the world has ever known. Balabad is also the country Oliver Finch calls home ever since his father was reassigned to this dull, war-torn dust bowl.

Each day runs into the next for Oliver until a 500-year-old sacred carpet is stolen. Then one of the few friends he has disappears. Oliver is determined to figure out what exactly is going on. But in order to do that he’ll have consult with a one-eyed warrior, track down the far-flung members of the Brotherhood, and unlock a centuries-old secret! Suddenly, life in Balabad for Oliver has become a whole lot more interesting . . . and dangerous.


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Haven, an Associated Press bureau chief whose postings have included Afghanistan and Pakistan, uses some of the mystery surrounding the Golden Hoard of Bactria, a treasure discovered in Afghanistan in 1978, in crafting this ornate, atmospheric suspense romp. Haven’s writing style here is reminiscent of the lush, exotic adventure tales of H. Rider Haggard, especially of King Solomon’s Mines. The hero, 12-year-old Oliver Finch, has been unwillingly transported from his beloved Manhattan along with his father, a foreign correspondent assigned to Balabad. Finch is ideally positioned, then, to learn about both the latest local doings—in this case, the theft of a 500-year-old sacred carpet. When one of Oliver’s friends is kidnapped, he resolves to find his friend and solve the mystery of the stolen carpet, all of which leads to a satisfying series of dangers, pitfalls, double crosses, and escapes. This adventure follows Haven’s first novel, Two Hot Dogs with Everything (2006). Grades 5-8. --Connie Fletcher --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Born and raised in New York, Paul Haven always knew he wanted to write and travel, so after graduating from college he moved to South America and worked as a reporter. In 1994, he joined the Associated Press, working and living in Colombia, New York, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. He currently lives in Spain with his wife and daughter. This is his second novel.


From the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding: 288 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (January 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375933506
• ISBN-13: 978-0375933509
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,600,939 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Paul Haven is a veteran foreign correspondent and the author of two children's novels, "Two Hot Dogs With Everything" and "The Seven Keys of Balabad." A native of New York City, he has worked for The Associated Press around the world, including postings in Venezuela, Colombia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Spain. He has covered the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and most recently reported on Haiti's devastating 2010 earthquake. He is currently the news cooperative's chief of bureau in Havana, Cuba, where he lives with his wife and two children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing story set in an exotic location, March 4, 2009

By 

KidsReads (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Seven Keys of Balabad (Hardcover)

Oliver Finch has a difficult time adjusting to life in the dusty, old-world country of Balabad, where his father has been reassigned as a reporter and his mother volunteers at the National Museum. Oliver misses his New York home. He misses his friends. He also misses pizza, ice cold sodas and the New York Yankees.

After six months Oliver has made only one friend his age, Zaheer Mohammed Warzat ul-Hazis (Zee for short). The British-educated Zee is the oldest son of one of the most prominent families in war-ravaged Balabad. When the International School that Oliver attends closes for the summer, there's not much for him to do.

To pass time, Oliver and Zee hang out in Balabad's noisy, dusty marketplace. Oliver is forbidden to venture into the ancient "Thieves' Market," so he and Zee spend time visiting with Mr. Haji in his crowded, one-room carpet shop. On summer afternoons the boys sip sweet green tea and listen to Mr. Haji --- the unofficial historian of Balabad --- haggle with customers and tell great tales.

While visiting Mr. Haji's shop one day, Oliver finds the carpet seller anxiously thumbing his amber prayer beads. Oliver learns Mr. Haji is upset after reading news that a one-of-a-kind carpet has been stolen from a mosque. When Oliver asks what's so important about a missing carpet, Zee explains its significance and the treasures of King Agamon.

The stolen carpet and a missing government official ignite events in Balabad and trigger bold thefts of centuries-old keys from secret locations around the world.

In Balabad, a land of ancient mysteries where nothing is as it seems and no one is who he appears to be, Oliver, Zee and Alamai --- their beautiful new friend --- become ensnared in a brave and dangerous quest. After Mr. Haji disappears, the children join forces and must overcome their fears to rescue him and save the sacred treasures.

THE SEVEN KEYS OF BALABAD is an intriguing story set in an exotic location. I recommend this book to middle-grade readers, especially boys who enjoy suspenseful mysteries and adventure stories with surprising twists and turns and thoroughly likable characters.

--- Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt