Sept. 18, 2024, 8:45 p.m.
For fans of The 39 Clues series, diving into the thrilling adventures and intricate puzzles of the Cahill family is nothing short of exhilarating. The books are not only filled with gripping narratives but also with memorable quotes that capture the essence of the characters and their high-stakes missions. In this post, we've curated a collection of the top 48 quotes from The 39 Clues series. Whether you are a seasoned fan or new to the journey, these quotes will transport you back into the world of mystery, danger, and discovery that defines The 39 Clues. Get ready to relive some of the most inspiring, thought-provoking, and unforgettable moments from this beloved series!
1. “You know how to steer a yacht?" Mr. McIntyre asked Ian worriedly."I was born knowing how to steer a yacht," Ian said. Then a stricken look came over his face. "But–do you suppose Jonah prepaid the full amount for renting this? Once my dad hears what Natalie and I did, he'll cancel our credit cards.""You mean we're...we're poor now?" Natalie gasped."Penniless," Ian said grimly."Actually," Mr. McIntyre said, "I should have mentioned this before the others left. Grace had an addendum to her will regarding everyone who made it through the gauntlet. There were eight of you–you will all receive double the amount you turned down to get the first clue.""It was a million dollars originally," Ian said. "So Natalie and I each get two million dollars? I suppose we could live on that."Natalie beamed."That is such a relief!" she said. "Being poor wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be, but still–""You were only poor for about two seconds!" Dan protested, rolling his eyes.” - Margaret Peterson Haddix
2. “This, my children," Alistair said proudly, "was barbecue pork."Dan rapped his fingers against the latch. "Been out in the sun for a long time.” - Peter Lerangis
3. “A Styrofoam egg carton caught his eye. He opened it and found a single silver orb with little blinking red lights. "This is cool, too!" He dropped it into his backpack."Dan, no!""What? They've got plenty of other stuff, and we need all the help we can get!""It could be dangerous.""I hope so.” - Rick Riordan
4. “Dan was thrilled that the second clue had been safely smuggled out of the church in his pants."So, really, I saved the day," he decided."Wait a minute," Amy said, "I climbed onto the roof in the middle of a thunderstorm.""Yeah, but the clue was in my pants.” - Rick Riordan
5. “Nobody got me out," Nellie replied. "They just let me go. They think I'm a deranged Jonah Wizard fan. Apparently, the hotel's full of them. A couple of idiots actually jumped off the front balcony. Can you picture that?""In Technicolor," Amy said bitterly."That low-down KGB reject!" Dan fumed. "I can't believe she cheated me–right when I was in the middle of cheating her!” - Gordon Korman
6. “The au pair was bug-eyed. "What happened back there?""It's not our fault!" Dan babbled. "Those guys are crazy! They're like mini-Darth Vaders without the mask!""They're Benedictine monks!" Nellie exclaimed. "They're men of peace! Most of them are under vows of silence!""Yeah, well, not anymore," Dan told her. "They cursed us out pretty good. I don't know the language, but some things you don't have to translate.” - Gordon Korman
7. “C'mon, Amy, cinnamon rolls are calling us." Dan put a hand to his ear. "Do you hear? 'Amy? Dan?'" he squeaked. "'Come and get my sugary, sticky goodness!” - Jude Watson
8. “Let's scope the place out," he suggested, heading around the side of the building, "and be careful in the bushes.""Why?" Amy asked."This is South Africa, dude," Dan replied. "Where cobras come from. And not the hot ones, like Ian.” - Peter Lerangis
9. “You should climb around inside my brain, Dan. It's like this dark room surrounded by quicksand.""I know what you mean," her brother said quietly. "I hate being in my brain sometimes. I have to get out.""What do you do?" Amy asked.Dan shrugged "I go to other places. My toes. My shoulders. But mostly here." He tapped his chest and immediately reddened. "I know. It's stupid.""Not really," Amy said. "I wish I could do that, too.” - Peter Lerangis
10. “In a whirlwind, Reagan quickly knocked off fifty more push-ups, flipped, and did thirty crunches, then turned and landed a kick that dented the metal door. "I'm feeling sick, too, and look at me. What if Babe Ruth had said 'Time to Rest'? Or Michael Phelps? Or Neil Armstrong? Come on, guys–what are we?""Hungry," Natalie said."Sleepy," Alistair added."Grumpy," Fiske said."Sneezy," Phoenix piped up."Shot," Nellie said.” - Peter Lerangis
11. “Did you hear that?" Casper said."Bats," Cheyenne replied.Casper gasped with horror. "You know I hate bats," he hissed."Bats bats bats bats bats," Cheyenne said."Stop it! We're not kids anymore!" Casper shouted."This way, Braveheart.” - Peter Lerangis
12. “The roar of an engine blasted from his left—and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle with flame decals jumped the sidewalk in front of him.A small crowd of travelers scattered."How do you say, 'You jerk!' in Turkish?" Jake asked."Erasmus!" Dan cried with relief.Jake balled his fist angrily and shouted, "Erasmus!"” - Peter Lerangis
13. “Dan watched in awe. "I didn't know you talk Turkey.""I speak Turkish.” - Peter Lerangis
14. “Once apon a time, Ian's dark, dreamy eyes had made her melt inside. The angle of his head, the wrinkle in the left corner of his lip—they'd obsessed her. And he'd been obsessed right back.Now all Amy wanted to do was throw her shoe at the screen.” - Peter Lerangis
15. “P.S. You'll have to meet with Dan's principal when you get back. He got in trouble for doing ninja moves in class. Don't worry. This happens all the time.” - Rick Riordan
16. “Ticket and passport. We're crossing the border.""Oh. Sorry." Dan handed the conductor his ticket."Grazie.""De nada," Dan said."That's Spanish," Amy whispered."No, it's whatever," Dan said. "I'm too tired to think.” - Jude Watson
17. “They'd been played. By a tuba!” - Jude Watson
18. “It hurts," Nellie said."I know," Reagan said. "No pain, no gain.""Do you think they made that expression up for bullet wounds?” - Jude Watson
19. “That's it. Gently now," Reagan said to Nellie. "We'll move onto the hard stuff tomorrow.""This...isn't...the hard stuff?" Nellie spit out through gritted teeth.Reagan grinned. "You really hate me right now, don't you?""Immeasurably.""Good. Give me ten.” - Jude Watson
20. “Amy sighed. Just when she started to almost like Ian again—after all, he'd flown across the ocean and had been working around the clock to help—his snob quotient went through the roof.” - Jude Watson
21. “Dan was doing his best Ian Kabra impersonation, looking around the store as though inspecting it for cockroaches. Amy tried to turn her snort of laughter into a cough."Espresso?" The saleswoman materialized seemingly out of nowhere. Amy realized that the full-length mirror on the wall was actually a door.If she were Amy Cahill, she would blush and shake her head no, just because she didn't want to cause any bother. She imagined what Natalie Kabra would do."Tea. Darjeeling," she said in a curt tone."Oh, not Darjeeling, sis," Dan said. "That's just so middle class.""Lapsang souchong?" the saleswoman asked."I just adored his last collection," Dan said.The woman's tight smile dimmed. "That's a tea.” - Jude Watson
22. “Hamilton awkwardly folded himself into the passenger seat. "Couldn't you get something bigger?" he asked as he banged his knee against the dashboard."We're supposed to be a diversion," Jonah said. "Got to make an entrance. Can't do that in a minivan, Giganto Boy. Can't do much in a minivan except look about as uncool as it gets.""Hey! My dad drives a minivan.""Snap.” - Jude Watson
23. “There's something wrong with the brakes." He didn't recognize his shaky, weak voice. He pumped them again. Nothing. "There's something wrong with the BRAKES?""I don't think we have any.""We don't have any BRAKES?""Bro, it doesn't help to repeat everything I say!" Jonah yelled.” - Jude Watson
24. “OMIGOSH JONAH WIZARD!"-Amy Cahill” - Jude Watson
25. “Amy bit her lip. "I was so scared, Dan. I couldn't think. She shook her head. "I feel so ashamed of myself. If it wasn't for you, we would have been toast.""Whoa," Dan said. "If you're throwing a pity party for yourself, don't invite me." He poked her. "You were the one who got Jonah to find us. Awesome lung power. I thought you only used that volume to get me out of the bathroom.” - Jude Watson
26. “Grace has way weirder people than me coming in and out all the time," Dan said. "You, on the other hand, are as boring as it gets. If Grace is worried about anyone cramping her style, I'd point to the gloomy nerd reading about Chucklesky.""Tchaikovsky. He composed the score for the ballet The Nutcracker."Dan thre his hands up. "How am I supposed to get any better at making you sound like a loser if you just do all the work for me?” - Riley Clifford
27. “Where'd you get that lighter?" she demanded."Frida," Dan said, closing it. "She left it behind. Remember how she was always talking about outdoorsy stuff? She said she kept a water-resistant lighter on her at all times, in case she needed emergency fire."There was a short beat of silence in the dumpster."Huh," said Dan. "Except probably now.” - Riley Clifford
28. “I'm throwing out this bottle rocket.""No, wait!" Dan said, reaching for it. "It hasn't been set off yet. Don't waste it, Amy. And we don't have company coming—we have Ian Kabra coming. And I know you want to totally impress him and take him to the movies and stare dreamily into his eyes—""I do not," Amy said, too quickly."Oh, Ian," Dan said, pressing his lightsaber to his chest and batting his eyes. "Tell me again about your shiny, shiny shoes.” - Riley Clifford
29. “I'm going to hang up now," she said quietly."Fine.""Good-bye, Ian," she said.He paused again. She thought she heard something like a sniff or a choke, but it was probably the sound of him tearing up his plane ticket. "Good-bye, Amy."She hung up the phone: Dan and Nellie were quiet."Well, think about it," said Dan. "Did you really want Natalie Kabra as a sister-in-law?” - Riley Clifford
30. “Whoa," Madison whistled, craning her neck to examine the chandelier."This is even fancier than Red Lobster," Reagan said in awe."Look at this rich people's hockey-stick holder," Madison said as she ran a slightly grubby finger along the edge of the antique umbrella stand. "I want one!” - Riley Clifford
31. “Amy hugged Sinead, and Dan scratched Saladin. "Later, Saladin. Take it easy on Kabra. On second thought, don't.” - Gordon Korman
32. “Don't think of it as losing a boyfriend. Think of it as gaining a stalker."-Dan Cahill” - Gordon Korman
33. “Nellie Gomez awoke to a splitting headache. Worse, she was still hungry."Where's my croissant?" she demanded of the person leaning over her."Dear child," came a strangely familiar voice."Don't 'dear child' me!" she snapped. The twenty-two-year-old punk rocker ran black-polished fingernails through black-and-orange-dyed hair, which did nothing to soothe the pounding behind her black-shaded eyes. "Give me my croissant or I'll–"It was then that she suddenly realized she was threatening the venerable Alistair Oh. "Alistair, what are you doing here?” - Gordon Korman
34. “Dan instantly recognized the angry scratch that stretched from the corner of Ian's eye all the way along the olive skin to his chin. "Have you been messing with Saladin?""No. Saladin has been messing with me," Ian shot back."He isn't big on Lucians," Dan explained. "Animals are really good judges of character.” - Gordon Korman
35. “I'm starving. When we check into our hotel, let's ask the desk clerk where we can find one of those vast pizzas.""What are you talking about?""Your guidebook says Florence is a city of vast pizzas. Look it up yourself.""Those are vast piazzas, not pizzas! It means public squares!"Dan's face fell. "Oh."Amy sighed. "I honestly thought the clue hunt took the dweeb out of you. No such luck.” - Gordon Korman
36. “Hamilton had a complaint. "Why did you have to tell the cops I'm your boyfriend? That's gross, Amy. We're related!"Amy was disgusted. "We had a common ancestor, like, five hundred years ago. Besides, if they think we're together, we only have to come up with one story, and I can do all the talking.""Hey, I got an early acceptance to Notre Dame," Hamilton said defensively. "I can talk.""Of course you can," Amy soothed. "It's what you say that might get us into trouble.” - Gordon Korman
37. “Sinead broke in. "The cops need to know what to do with Evan, Amy. What should I tell them?""Shoot to kill?" Ian suggested.” - Gordon Korman
38. “No fair! Those guys ripped off what we rightfully stole!” - Gordon Korman
39. “Free food!" mumbled Hamilton, his mouth full. "No wonder you're rich. You don't have to pay for anything.""Since when is it free?" Jonah demanded. "If I don't leave a big tip, it'll be all over Europe that the Wiz is a cheapskate! They'll seat me behind the sound-man from the penguin movie at the Oscars!” - Gordon Korman
40. “What does it feel like to get shot?""I don't recommend it," said Nellie in a controlled voice. "Chocolate is definitely better.” - Gordon Korman
41. “The key to the city of Florence was about two feet long, and painted a garish gold.Hamilton was fascinated by it. "Wow! How big is the lock?"Jonah laughed. "There is no lock, cuz. It's an honorary gig. Back in my crib in LA, I've got a whole shed full of keys from different cities. Want to know the kicker? I can't get at them. The gardener lost the key to the shed.” - Gordon Korman
42. “Hamilton was bug-eyed. "Who are those people?"Jonah held his head. "Man, I should have known it was a mistake to say I'd be leaving town soon! Why do fans have to be so literal?""Are they going to let us go get the faxes?" Hamilton asked.Jonah stared at him. "You're kidding, right?” - Gordon Korman
43. “Dan was suspicious. "How did he find out where we were staying?"Amy frowned. "I think that's the message inside the message. He wants us to know that he has a long reach–that's he's rich and powerful.""Like we'll see his giant mansion and assume he works at Burger King," scoffed Dan.” - Gordon Korman
44. “Dan moved forward and replaced Jonah at the helm. "I've got a plan!""That's my man!" The famous grin disappeared as Jonah took in the grim determination in Dan's features. His expression was as flat and expressionless as a naked skull.Dan steered the hurtling boat directly toward the rocky shore. "Amy, hang onto that painting!""That's not a plan!" Jonah shouted. "That's suicide!” - Gordon Korman
45. “Hamilton dabbed a tissue at the cut under his eye. "Except for the time I met the Great Khali, that was the coolest thing I've ever done!"The foursome, only slightly the worse for wear, stood on the tarmac of the small airfield outside Milan, transferring their luggage from the limo to Jonah's jet for the flight back to Florence. "You didn't do anything, yo," Jonah seethed. "It was done to all of us by the freak show with the nerve to complain that the family branches are too violent!” - Gordon Korman
46. “It was no place for a Kabra, not even a poor one living in exile with a psychopathic cat.He approached the counter and rand the bell with authority. The clerk turned around.Evan Tolliver."You're Amy's cousin!""Yes, I am," Ian confirmed. "I have here a list of items–""Have you heard from her?" Evan interrupted. "Is she okay?""Her health is excellent.""No, I mean–"Ian sighed. "Why should you care? She promises to phone you, and she doesn't. You were nearly arrested, thanks to her. There's a message in there somewhere, don't you agree?"Evan nodded sadly. "I kind of think so, too. But we were awesome together. She's smart, fun to be with, and not immature like most of the girls in our school. It's as if she has an automatic switch for when it's time to be serious–she can almost be old beyond her years at times. Where do you learn something like that?""I have no earthly idea," Ian lied.” - Gordon Korman
47. “Change of plan–," she called to Jonah. "Can you drop us off in Rome?""Yo, am I a movie star or a taxi service?" Jonah grumbled from the depths of the script pile."Technically, your neither," Hamilton puffed, lifting weights again. "I mean, you're a star and you've made movies...” - Gordon Korman
48. “How you are in this place that has been sealed since the time of Caesar Augustus?" one of the archaeologists demanded in amazement."I was looking for my sister," Dan quipped."Your sister?""Oh—here she is." Dan reached through the opening and hauled out an equally grubby Amy.” - Gordon Korman