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bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
3.0
Emily's parents have the goal of living in every state. At the age of twelve, they move to San Francisco where Emily's favorite publisher is based. This publisher also hosts the Book Scavenger website (remember bookcrossing??) where people create accounts, hide books around their communities, and then leave clues for others to find the books online. When Emily and her new friend James find a copy of The Gold-Bug by Poe behind a trash can, Emily determines it is a new game via Book Scavenger. While there were some goons chasing Emily and James, this story was a bit refreshing because it wasn't as dark as some middle grade books these days.
Upper elementary/middle school
Upper elementary/middle school
rdyourbookcase's review against another edition
4.0
I could have SWORN that I had already reviewed this book. I read it as a galley years ago and loved it - but still, no review!
Things I liked:
The main character’s name was Emily.
She moved to San Fransisco (a place I would like to see some day.)
Scavenger hunts!
Hidden books! That you could TAKE if you found them!
Puzzles!
Children had to save literature while running from adults.
What more could you ask for, really? It was adventurous, mysterious and fun, and all children should read it - especially if they liked Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.
Things I liked:
The main character’s name was Emily.
She moved to San Fransisco (a place I would like to see some day.)
Scavenger hunts!
Hidden books! That you could TAKE if you found them!
Puzzles!
Children had to save literature while running from adults.
What more could you ask for, really? It was adventurous, mysterious and fun, and all children should read it - especially if they liked Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.
joanna_banana's review against another edition
3.0
Did not enjoy this one as much as Book Scavenger #2—could be that we read them out of order; order this was just less of a riveting mystery. The ending was good (avoiding spoilers) and was a bit of a surprise to us. 7 year old kiddo enjoyed it and that was the point! She too however liked the ciphers in the second book better than the games in this one. It was easier to play along in the second book. Good characters and a well-thought our plot. Solid 3-star book!
kllm07's review against another edition
4.0
I love Steve.
Favorite line: "because nobody Gould take you seriously with a cowlick named Geronimo"
So cute!
Favorite line: "because nobody Gould take you seriously with a cowlick named Geronimo"
So cute!
aylea's review against another edition
4.0
This review originally posted at The Children's Book and Media Review
Emily has moved every year for most of her life, but this time moving might not be so bad. She is going to San Francisco where her hero, Garrison Griswold, lives and creates puzzles based on books. Emily spends most of her time playing Book Scavenger where she finds books by solving puzzles. When she learns that Griswold was attacked and no one knows what his plans were for his newest game, she feels convinced that the odd book she found in the BART station where he was attacked is part of the new game. Emily and her new friend James work at solving the puzzles while having to avoid Griswold’s attackers. Along the way, they learn about some important literary stories and landmarks in San Francisco, make new friends, and create their own puzzles and ciphers.
Like The Gollywhopper Games and Mr. Lemoncello’s library, this book uses a competition for solving puzzles that the readers can solve on their own or with the help of the main characters if they get stuck. Although there are plenty of puzzles, some of them may frustrate readers wanting to solve them because some of the puzzles are mixed with nonfiction elements of details about San Francisco’s history and writers instead of being solvable without that information. Emily’s struggle to find common interests with her brother and to adapt to a new home after moving is relatable to readers who are growing up and adjusting to new situations. At some points in the book the narrative can become childish, like the frequent mention of a cowlick named Steve. Readers who love books about solving puzzles will enjoy this book about literary adventures.
Emily has moved every year for most of her life, but this time moving might not be so bad. She is going to San Francisco where her hero, Garrison Griswold, lives and creates puzzles based on books. Emily spends most of her time playing Book Scavenger where she finds books by solving puzzles. When she learns that Griswold was attacked and no one knows what his plans were for his newest game, she feels convinced that the odd book she found in the BART station where he was attacked is part of the new game. Emily and her new friend James work at solving the puzzles while having to avoid Griswold’s attackers. Along the way, they learn about some important literary stories and landmarks in San Francisco, make new friends, and create their own puzzles and ciphers.
Like The Gollywhopper Games and Mr. Lemoncello’s library, this book uses a competition for solving puzzles that the readers can solve on their own or with the help of the main characters if they get stuck. Although there are plenty of puzzles, some of them may frustrate readers wanting to solve them because some of the puzzles are mixed with nonfiction elements of details about San Francisco’s history and writers instead of being solvable without that information. Emily’s struggle to find common interests with her brother and to adapt to a new home after moving is relatable to readers who are growing up and adjusting to new situations. At some points in the book the narrative can become childish, like the frequent mention of a cowlick named Steve. Readers who love books about solving puzzles will enjoy this book about literary adventures.
channywax's review against another edition
Fun middle grade about an awesome book scavenger hunt! The characters were fun and unique, loved the clues and nods to several popular books throughout. So clever! Handing it to my kids to read next! :)
sandlerpage's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. Very fun, but a bit predictable and thin from time to time. I think my kids will love this.
biblio_amy's review against another edition
5.0
What a great book! I loved this so much and think that I would have loved reading this book in 4th and 5th grade. I think even though this book is fiction, the writer took time to do some research on Edgar Allen Poe, San Francisco, book scavenging, etc. I recommend this to all book lovers and teacher who teach 4th-7th grade I believe is really the target audience.