The Explorers: The Door in the Alley

By: Adrienne Kress

Narrated by: Kristen Sieh

Featuring a mysterious society, a secretive past, and a pig in a teeny hat, The Explorers: The Door in the Alley is the first book in a new series for fans of The Name of This Book Is a Secret and The Mysterious Benedict Society. Knock once if you can find it—but only members are allowed inside.

This is one of those stories that start with a pig in a teeny hat. It’s not the one you’re thinking about. (This story is way better than that one.)
This pig-in-a-teeny-hat story starts when a very uninquisitive boy stumbles upon a very mysterious society. After that, there is danger and adventure; there are missing persons, hired thugs, a hidden box, a lost map, and famous explorers; and there is a girl looking for help that only uninquisitive boys can offer.
The Explorers: The Door in the Alley is the first book in a series that is sure to hit young readers right in the funny bone.

"[A] wildly funny adventure....Animals in teeny hats, Wonderland-style logic, and loads of wordplay and sarcasm will keep readers giggling all the way through."-Kirkus Reviews

"Exhilarating....Fans of a Series of Unfortunate Events will be drawn to this."—Booklist

“A rollicking read, full of derring-do and old-fashioned villainy.”—School Library Journal

"Funny, offbeat, and subversive...occasional footnotes and other humorous asides from the omniscient narrator break the fourth wall and ramp up the playfulness."—The Horn Book"Narrated with a smart, brisk tone and plenty of snark...The Door in the Alley packs plenty of twists, turns and danger."—Shelf Awareness

"The Explorers: The Door in the Alley is a rollicking and clever adventure! Chock full of brilliant plot twists, pitch-perfect humor, and non-stop action. Kress has kicked off this series with a bang!"—Arthur Slade, author of The Hunchback Assignments

Critic reviews

"[A] wildly funny adventure....Animals in teeny hats, Wonderland-style logic, and loads of wordplay and sarcasm will keep readers giggling all the way through."-Kirkus Reviews

"Exhilarating....Fans of a Series of Unfortunate Events will be drawn to this."—Booklist

“A rollicking read, full of derring-do and old-fashioned villainy.”—School Library Journal

"Funny, offbeat, and subversive...occasional footnotes and other humorous asides from the omniscient narrator break the fourth wall and ramp up the playfulness."—The Horn Book

"Narrated with a smart, brisk tone and plenty of snark...The Door in the Alley packs plenty of twists, turns and danger."—Shelf Awareness

"The Explorers: The Door in the Alley is a rollicking and clever adventure! Chock full of brilliant plot twists, pitch-perfect humor, and non-stop action. Kress has kicked off this series with a bang!"—Arthur Slade, author of The Hunchback Assignments

Unique and Fun

The books is funny, adventurous, and captivating. The narrator was outstanding and fit perfectly with the story! We can't wait to listen to the next in the series.

Loved it

I liked it and it was really good and has a great and eagerly waiting for what happens next every second

Loved the reader

It was read really well. It can be funny at time and filled with action. Book summed up in which Sebastian a very logical boy ends up going on a very illogical adventure. The only Warning is, there is a homosexual couple that pops up in the 3rd book. If you and your family are ok with this then this book is clean and really funny. However if you like to discuss this type of thing with your family before they read it in books then this review is for you. I gave 2 stars because I felt if the author wanted this in the book they should have it in there in book 1 and not take 3 books to get there.