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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
This is in a class of books I adore (puzzle thriller!), along with gems like [b: The Westing Game|902|The Westing Game|Ellen Raskin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1356850909s/902.jpg|869832], [b: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library|16054808|Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library (Mr. Lemoncello's Library #1)|Chris Grabenstein|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1379335670s/16054808.jpg|21839952], and [b: Ready Player One|9969571|Ready Player One|Ernest Cline|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1406383612s/9969571.jpg|14863741], so I'm afraid I'm going to be harder on it than a casual reader.
I enjoyed the puzzle set up, and the way the history of a Japanese American battalion, WWII internments, classic literature, and Nazi art thefts were woven into the story.
The author plays with stereotypes in an interesting way, illustrating that people belonging to a racial or ethnic group are privileged to talk about themselves in a way outsiders cannot (like the old lady who compliments Ted's mom on the way "Asian blood is strong" in her infant son.) The main character also is clear about his exasperation with and dislike of hurtful actions of others based on race (rejection of the suggestion that because he's of Asian descent he must like martial arts movies, or the idea that because he's Asian he cannot also be a Jew.) I found his little old New York Jewish lady over the top, though.
However, the characters were irksomely, stereotypically nerdy (boy who draws comics, boy who plays video games obsessively, perfect girl who reads the classics). The characters ARE given some depth, like Isabel's backstory of a loss in the family, and Caleb's trying to come to grips with his parents' divorce by immersing himself in a comic book world. But the presence of the backstories just made the cardboard-cutout characteristics more annoying -- once you knew the author was capable of more. The vague, dreamy, English professor dad was annoying, too.
Then there was the Deus ex machina plot twist. I was disappointed that the author resorted to an earthquake to get the intrepid young adventurers out of the hands of the villain. I was also disturbed by the scene where the kids pile into the car of a stranger, and the scene where the young hero deliberately sabotages viewing equipment AT A HOSPITAL ICU, and ignores a nurse's warning that a patient is particularly prone to infection so cannot have visitors. Sorry, no way that's excusable, even if nothing "bad" happens right then.
Then...here are the spoiler plot holes. Possibly. I read the book in one morning when I was home sick. Maybe I missed something. Several somethings. But are we supposed to conclude that Ted WAS playing the "Ted 1.0 computer game" in his mind? If that's so, why were the items like the coin on the rice bag actually there? It's not as if even the cleverest gamer could have dreamed the exact coins he would find without seeing them. And if he WASN'T dreaming the game, then who had such a detailed knowledge of the hospital room, the apartment AND Isabel's room? Color me confused.
I enjoyed the puzzle set up, and the way the history of a Japanese American battalion, WWII internments, classic literature, and Nazi art thefts were woven into the story.
The author plays with stereotypes in an interesting way, illustrating that people belonging to a racial or ethnic group are privileged to talk about themselves in a way outsiders cannot (like the old lady who compliments Ted's mom on the way "Asian blood is strong" in her infant son.) The main character also is clear about his exasperation with and dislike of hurtful actions of others based on race (rejection of the suggestion that because he's of Asian descent he must like martial arts movies, or the idea that because he's Asian he cannot also be a Jew.) I found his little old New York Jewish lady over the top, though.
However, the characters were irksomely, stereotypically nerdy (boy who draws comics, boy who plays video games obsessively, perfect girl who reads the classics). The characters ARE given some depth, like Isabel's backstory of a loss in the family, and Caleb's trying to come to grips with his parents' divorce by immersing himself in a comic book world. But the presence of the backstories just made the cardboard-cutout characteristics more annoying -- once you knew the author was capable of more. The vague, dreamy, English professor dad was annoying, too.
Then there was the Deus ex machina plot twist. I was disappointed that the author resorted to an earthquake to get the intrepid young adventurers out of the hands of the villain. I was also disturbed by the scene where the kids pile into the car of a stranger, and the scene where the young hero deliberately sabotages viewing equipment AT A HOSPITAL ICU, and ignores a nurse's warning that a patient is particularly prone to infection so cannot have visitors. Sorry, no way that's excusable, even if nothing "bad" happens right then.
Then...here are the spoiler plot holes. Possibly. I read the book in one morning when I was home sick. Maybe I missed something. Several somethings. But are we supposed to conclude that Ted WAS playing the "Ted 1.0 computer game" in his mind? If that's so, why were the items like the coin on the rice bag actually there? It's not as if even the cleverest gamer could have dreamed the exact coins he would find without seeing them. And if he WASN'T dreaming the game, then who had such a detailed knowledge of the hospital room, the apartment AND Isabel's room? Color me confused.
I started this book thinking that it would be a similar read to "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline, but I was surprised. This book was a great read even though I had way too high of expectations for it. I loved the fact that the main character was half Asian and half Jewish. I have a great appreciation for where characters do not fit the mold and have the same characteristics as every other character in middle-grade books. I believe that the one thing that could have used was the pacing of the story and the way that the main character magically finds help from an outside source. (Trying not to give spoilers) I was reading this thinking that the story would have the treasure finding all in one afternoon and then they wouldn't stop until they find it in the apartment. This, however, leads to some great character development and made the story a little more interesting. I loved the story and ate it up in one sitting! Even though I had high expectations from this book it did not fail in the aspects of it is a great treasure hunting story.
Review originally posted on journeyintotheshelves.tumblr.com & journeyintotheshelves.wordpress.com.
**I received an eARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and Random House. This has had no bearing on this review.
Ted loves puzzles, especially escape the room video game puzzles. When his great-uncle, who he was never really close to, passes and leaves Ted all of the items and “treasures” in his overstuffed apartment, Ted has no idea why. That is, until he realizes that his uncle’s apartment is set up just like an escape the room game. The deeper into the puzzle that Ted and his friends get, and the closer to the treasure they get, the danger that often accompanies his favorite video game also gets closer and incredibly real. Click Here to Start is filled with mystery, puzzles, and a bit of World War II history. It’s a quick, energetic middle grade read that is perfect for puzzle lovers, both young and old.
I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was fast paced, engaging, and kept me glued to the pages. Personally, I am terrible at escape the room games, so I was really impressed at both the development and solutions to the puzzles in this book. The book never gives the answers right away, which leaves the reader a bit of time to try and think of the solution for themselves, which I thought was perfect. The novel has great build-up and an increase in suspense that doesn’t peter off until the last couple of pages (something that lacks in many mysteries, middle grade and otherwise).
The writing is easy to read - no unnecessary frills or anything of the sort - because it is geared toward a younger audience, but it worked for this novel. It kept everything much more grounded and connected to both Ted’s voice and the nature of the puzzles themselves. It read exactly like what a twelve year-old boy thinks (or at least, what I think one sounds like) and suited the tone and premise of the book nicely.
My absolute favorite aspect of this novel was the discoveries and discussions about Japanese Americans during World War II. Without overbearing the reader, Markell includes information about the dedicated Japanese American infantries, as well as the internment camps that were created “to keep Americans safe” during wartime after Pearl Harbor. With ease and simplicity, Markell is able to teach the reader a bit about a piece of important American history that is, sadly, not discussed and taught enough. Additionally, he is able to give enough information to satisfy a drive to want to search and learn more about this piece of history which is so important to instill in younger readers.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed Click Here to Start. It’s a quick, easy read filled with puzzles to keep you guessing, and bits of history to leave you searching for more.
**I received an eARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and Random House. This has had no bearing on this review.
Ted loves puzzles, especially escape the room video game puzzles. When his great-uncle, who he was never really close to, passes and leaves Ted all of the items and “treasures” in his overstuffed apartment, Ted has no idea why. That is, until he realizes that his uncle’s apartment is set up just like an escape the room game. The deeper into the puzzle that Ted and his friends get, and the closer to the treasure they get, the danger that often accompanies his favorite video game also gets closer and incredibly real. Click Here to Start is filled with mystery, puzzles, and a bit of World War II history. It’s a quick, energetic middle grade read that is perfect for puzzle lovers, both young and old.
I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was fast paced, engaging, and kept me glued to the pages. Personally, I am terrible at escape the room games, so I was really impressed at both the development and solutions to the puzzles in this book. The book never gives the answers right away, which leaves the reader a bit of time to try and think of the solution for themselves, which I thought was perfect. The novel has great build-up and an increase in suspense that doesn’t peter off until the last couple of pages (something that lacks in many mysteries, middle grade and otherwise).
The writing is easy to read - no unnecessary frills or anything of the sort - because it is geared toward a younger audience, but it worked for this novel. It kept everything much more grounded and connected to both Ted’s voice and the nature of the puzzles themselves. It read exactly like what a twelve year-old boy thinks (or at least, what I think one sounds like) and suited the tone and premise of the book nicely.
My absolute favorite aspect of this novel was the discoveries and discussions about Japanese Americans during World War II. Without overbearing the reader, Markell includes information about the dedicated Japanese American infantries, as well as the internment camps that were created “to keep Americans safe” during wartime after Pearl Harbor. With ease and simplicity, Markell is able to teach the reader a bit about a piece of important American history that is, sadly, not discussed and taught enough. Additionally, he is able to give enough information to satisfy a drive to want to search and learn more about this piece of history which is so important to instill in younger readers.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed Click Here to Start. It’s a quick, easy read filled with puzzles to keep you guessing, and bits of history to leave you searching for more.
This was a fun little adventure that really just suffered from, I personally thought, was the male characters initial distrust/dislike for the female character , who I felt like was made into a Hermione like character to further the initial dislike (they get over it but it was annoying). Also he goes on a three/four (small screen ebook) explanation about a comic book and some weird elementary school trauma that doesnt have any pay off. I thought when they at least found the comics at the end that they would find the first issue and the mention of it being something super rare would have a nice pay off. But it didnt and the comics were only used as a prop, so I was confused at why they were mentioned at all in such detail. Also, there was never an explanation to the computer game that was basically what was happening in real life. Why could Ted only access it? Why did it seem to have information about his situation that couldnt possibly been known beforehand (the hospital heist, Isable, ect) Few plot holes here and there that I wouldve thought the characters wouldve been looking for answers to. But the mystery was good and the real life escape room was cool. Defiantly a book a middle schooler would enjoy (and wouldn't have the same complaints as I did, probably lol)
Escape rooms are quite the thing these days, aren't they? So no wonder there's a book that uses that as its main plot device. And it goes a good job of it, overall. The problem is less with the puzzles than with the characters, who exist to serve that part of the plot. The BFFs (Ted and Caleb), the girl who becomes part of their BFFdom (Isobel), the "evil people" all fell a little flat - but the puzzles? Quite nice.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
Meeting your great-uncle for the first time can be intimidating but meeting him as he lay dying in a hospital is downright terrifying for twelve year Ted Gerson. Despite his initial nervousness, Ted ends up having a great conversation about his skill with “escape the room” video games. Shortly after his visit, Ted’s great-uncle passes away and has left a codicil in his will that Ted can have all the “treasure” within his apartment. Recruiting his best friend Caleb and new acquaintance Isabelle to help, the three soon realize that while Ted’s great-uncle was an utter slob, the apartment also holds a sense of mystery…just like a real live room escape game! Looking for clues and solving puzzle after puzzle, meeting people who work for the Monuments Men who reclaim stolen artifacts from World War II and trying to outwit a villainous antique dealer, Ted and friends are constantly on the go in this face-paced adventure. Debut author Markel captures middle school dialogue perfectly and the friendship that builds between gamer nerds Ted and Caleb with new-on-the-scene book nerd Isabelle is funny and genuine. Narrated by the talented Greg Watanabe, character voices are interesting and diverse. This book will have wide appeal for mystery lovers, gamers and even reluctant readers. While the ending is completely far-fetched, readers will enjoying having the story come to conclusion will all clues revealed and even a hint at another novel to continue the adventure.
Highly recommended for grades 5-8.
Highly recommended for grades 5-8.
I just loved so much about this book! Pair it with [b:Insert Coin to Continue|28954110|Insert Coin to Continue|John David Anderson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1454864493s/28954110.jpg|49179170]for the video gamers in your life.
Ted has only met his Great-Uncle Ted (who is named after) once, right before he dies. Ted is quite surprised when Great-Uncle Ted leaves him the entire contents of his apartment with cryptic instructions about finding a treasure. Ted is even more surprised when it turns into a real-life version of the Escape Room video games that he loves so much. As Ted and his friend Caleb, along with his dad's boss's daughter Isabel, work their ways through the clues and surprises, a shady character seems to be following their every move. They learn more about Great-Uncle Ted, who was sent to an interment camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and then fought in Europe as part of a Japanese-American battalion. Is it possible the treasure they are searching for has something to do with his time overseas? The closer Ted and his friends come to solving the clues, the more real the danger becomes. A fantastic mystery with excitement on every page. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley
Ted has only met his Great-Uncle Ted (who is named after) once, right before he dies. Ted is quite surprised when Great-Uncle Ted leaves him the entire contents of his apartment with cryptic instructions about finding a treasure. Ted is even more surprised when it turns into a real-life version of the Escape Room video games that he loves so much. As Ted and his friend Caleb, along with his dad's boss's daughter Isabel, work their ways through the clues and surprises, a shady character seems to be following their every move. They learn more about Great-Uncle Ted, who was sent to an interment camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and then fought in Europe as part of a Japanese-American battalion. Is it possible the treasure they are searching for has something to do with his time overseas? The closer Ted and his friends come to solving the clues, the more real the danger becomes. A fantastic mystery with excitement on every page. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley
Started strong, lagged, ended somewhat implausibly. Enjoyed it because I think it's something my preteen son would like, but it had a bit of a personality disorder.
I started this book to recommend to my students who like gaming, thinking it’d be a more grade-appropriate version of “Ready, Player One” but WOW was I wrong! It blends history into adventure and mystery as the protagonist works to reveal clues left for him by his great-uncle to discover a treasure lost in time.
I absolutely loved the way the main character approaches these challenges like an online escape room! And while his best friends are very static, they end up being exactly what each other need. I also loved the humor in this as the author always teases crudeness but never actually steps over boundaries.
However, I felt like the beginning half was very slow and many things could have been condensed down. I also disliked how the female character was used in the damsel in distress trope at the end, especially after she had proven to be able to handle herself. And we got some unanswered questions about the way he solved these puzzles that just seemed to be shrugged off at the end.
Overall though, I am very excited to have read this as I know my incoming class is a mixture of gamers and history buffs and I can’t wait to recommend this to them!
I absolutely loved the way the main character approaches these challenges like an online escape room! And while his best friends are very static, they end up being exactly what each other need. I also loved the humor in this as the author always teases crudeness but never actually steps over boundaries.
However, I felt like the beginning half was very slow and many things could have been condensed down. I also disliked how the female character was used in the damsel in distress trope at the end, especially after she had proven to be able to handle herself. And we got some unanswered questions about the way he solved these puzzles that just seemed to be shrugged off at the end.
Overall though, I am very excited to have read this as I know my incoming class is a mixture of gamers and history buffs and I can’t wait to recommend this to them!