What This Book Is About
Fourteen-year-old Greg Rich is in the Louvre with his parents when the three of them are pulled through a painting into the Paris of 1615. Greg follows his parents through, and finds that they have been locked up, framed for an attempt on the life of Louis XIII. The only allies he can find are three teenagers who have not yet become famous: Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Together they set out to break his parents out of prison.
Stuart Gibbs, the bestselling author of Spy School and Space Case, blends history with time travel at speed. Greg is completely out of his depth in 17th-century France, and the point of the story is not that he wants to be a Musketeer; he is chasing his parents, and the Musketeers are the help he happens to pick up. It's Alexandre Dumas meets Back to the Future. This is book 1 of a trilogy, so readers who take to it have two more waiting.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why UWC Chose This Book
The Last Musketeer is a gateway to historical fiction that makes learning about the past genuinely exciting. Greg's time-travel adventure introduces students to 17th-century France, the court of King Louis XIII, and the legendary Musketeers, all through the eyes of a modern kid who is just as confused and fascinated as the reader. For UWC students studying European history and world cultures, the book sparks curiosity about real historical events wrapped inside a thrilling fictional plot.
Stuart Gibbs is already a favorite among UWC Grade 4 readers through Space Case and Belly Up, making this a natural next read. The accessible language and short chapters build reading momentum, while the story's themes of bravery, loyalty, and standing by your family align with UWC's character education goals. It proves that history doesn't have to be dry; it can be a prison break in 1615 Paris.
Reading Level Guide
Building up to this book. Try Stuart Gibbs's graphic novels or simpler adventure stories first.
Perfect difficulty. The humor and fast pace keep you reading, while the vocabulary stretches just enough to grow.
A comfortable, fun read at B1. Try Space Case or Spy School by the same author for similar thrills at a higher level.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.