This mystery unfolds before your eyes in a series of cliffhangers that build up to a blow-your-mind ending. Wanting to know the secret kept me turning the pages.” — Dan Gutman, New York Times bestselling author of the Genius Files series
“Never mind the mystery, suspense, and humor—what I loved most about The Secret Box was getting into the heads of its two unique and delightfully quirky narrators.” — Christopher Healy, author of The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom
“Fresh voices make this story a winner. Readers will relish this sparkling adventure, which offers plenty of action, humor, age-appropriate danger and mental calisthenics.” — Kirkus Reviews
“This is a great read for reluctant readers or for anyone who loves adventure, mystery, or a touch of magic.” — School Library Journal
“This is a promising launch to a planned trilogy. Mixing Greek mythology and mystery with gamer lingo and poignant coming-of-age moments, Ringwald delivers a smart balance of comedy, endearing characters, and high-stakes escapades.” — Publishers Weekly
“The first-person narrative alternates among the protagonists: frizzy-haired Jax, the impulsive leader; introverted Ethan, always her sidekick; and his obnoxious video game-making older brother, Tyler. The action is fast-paced and the suspense is real.” — Booklist
The first-person narrative alternates among the protagonists: frizzy-haired Jax, the impulsive leader; introverted Ethan, always her sidekick; and his obnoxious video game-making older brother, Tyler. The action is fast-paced and the suspense is real.
Never mind the mystery, suspense, and humor—what I loved most about The Secret Box was getting into the heads of its two unique and delightfully quirky narrators.
This mystery unfolds before your eyes in a series of cliffhangers that build up to a blow-your-mind ending. Wanting to know the secret kept me turning the pages.
The first-person narrative alternates among the protagonists: frizzy-haired Jax, the impulsive leader; introverted Ethan, always her sidekick; and his obnoxious video game-making older brother, Tyler. The action is fast-paced and the suspense is real.
2013-11-13
Fresh voices make this story a winner. Jax Malone is bored with her 12th birthday. Her presents are unexciting--"…nail polish, a couple of Starbucks cards. Big yawn"--and she is not even interested in a package addressed to her delivered in that day's mail. That is, until her mother whisks it away, forbidding her to open it. Jax can't stand secrets, and with the help of her shy cousin, Ethan, she finds and opens the package. It contains a mystery that Jax and Ethan need help solving, so they trick Ethan's older brother, Tyler, an obnoxious genius computer gamer, into helping. The story is told in first person, in alternating chapters by Jax and Ethan (made easy to follow by a distinct typeface for each). Jax's wry, confident voice juxtaposed against Ethan's insecure, retiring one, along with Tyler's supergeek, out-of-touch arrogance, combine to create many laugh-out-loud moments. Pursuing the mystery carries the three from their New Jersey home to Washington, D.C. Along the way, they elude a villainous couple and search for a rogue great-aunt. As they work together to solve the mystery, the cousins conquer individual fears and forge a bond with one another, learning to respect their differences. Readers will relish this sparkling adventure, which offers plenty of action, humor, age-appropriate danger and mental calisthenics. (Mystery. 9-12)
