Spinola, Diana Wurfain. Under Central Park: The Amulet’s Secret. 2020.

Guide to categories: MS Review – review of books for older elementary-aged and middle school-aged children

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Summary of Under Central Park: The Amulet’s Secret

A shy orphan with peculiar eyes in search of his father. A mysterious vanishing. An ancient manuscript filled with strange potions. An underground brotherhood keeping the world safe from a looming horror. A world deep below Central Park where all the answers will be found, and the darkest secret will be revealed.

Join 12-year-old Matt Church as he plunges into a world of dark mysteries where he will face his worst nightmares and discover the truth. Self-belief, friendship, and the unbreakable bond of blood ties are at the heart of this enchanting and gripping saga. Under Central Park, The Amulet’s Secret is the first book of a trilogy. The book includes over 30 full-color illustrations.

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My MS Review – Under Central Park: The Amulet’s Secret

Under Central Park: The Amulet’s Secret by D.W. Spinola is a fantasy novel for middle schoolers. I could tell that the author had fun naming her characters – several of whom have last names that correspond to a food item (Eclair and Croquembouche). I would guess that the author has some knowledge of the Catholic church as there is much in the story that points to that type of knowledge.

The story opens with a father leaving his baby at a Catholic church near Central Park. The child is given the name Matt Church because he was left on St. Matthew’s Day in a church. He is placed in an orphanage where he is bullied because he is different. He is eventually adopted. Because his adoptive father believes him to be “too sickly” to play outside, Matt resorts to sneaking out at night and going to Central Park where he meets Casseopeia, an orphan from an underground academy. Together they work to solve mysteries surrounding Matt’s father. 

There are several points in the middle of the book that I thought the plot line dragged out. I wondered if all that was included couldn’t have been shortened in some way. I did like the basic premise of the story but shortening it could make it more appealing for the intended audience. 

I am not sure Under Central Park is a good fit for every K-12 Christian school library. I encourage librarians to read the book themselves before making a decision about adding the book to their school library. 

I received a complimentary copy of Under Central Park. This is my honest review.

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