AT A GLANCE:
Genre/Topics: Science fiction, mystery, action
Length: 336 pages
Age: Grades 3-7
Release: 4/21/2009
Cost for New Copy: $7.99 on Kindle, $13.49 Hardcover, $5.89 paperback
First book in series
Found by Margaret Peterson HaddixMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
From an adult perspective:
My daughter had this book assigned in fourth grade, so I decided I’d read it after she finished so that we could talk about it. It’s the first in a book series, and immediately upon finishing this book, my daughter insisted on getting the rest of the set for her birthday, which she promptly devoured.
This book is a page-turner. The plot is fantastic and fast-paced, with a good amount of mystery and general social interaction of young kids. The writing is perfectly geared towards middle grades: I found myself laughing at some of the over-the-top dramatic responses to situations, but they are true to a middle-grade reader. Despite the rather serious situations, the book remains light-hearted and fun. I particularly appreciated the approach to adoption. Adoption is a difficult topic to handle well, and this book explored the different attitudes parents have with telling their kids and how it might affect the child later in life.
A fun read. Recommended for middle-grade readers who enjoy mystery and scifi.
Review from my 11 year old:
I think this book is for people who enjoy mystery and scifi. The first book wasn’t as good as the rest of the series.