2018
WISE Score
Amazon
An escape room on a literal prison island with book-themed puzzles? It's basically the peak middle-school dream.
4.8
4.8View →Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
This is the absolute opposite of brain rot. Jennifer Chambliss Bertman has created a series that actually makes kids want to put down the iPad and go find a physical book.
It's smart, fast-paced, and genuinely clever. If your kid liked 'Mr. Lemoncello's Library' or 'The Mysterious Benedict Society,' this is a mandatory addition to the shelf. It’s one of those rare books that makes being 'smart' look as cool as being a superhero.
Best for ages 8 to 13. It hits that sweet spot for upper elementary and middle schoolers who love mysteries and don't want to be talked down to.
The story centers on healthy friendships, intellectual curiosity, and teamwork. It avoids the 'mean girl' tropes or cynical humor often found in middle-grade media, focusing instead on a shared passion for literature and problem-solving.
The entire 'Book Scavenger' premise—hiding books in the real world for others to find via puzzles—is a masterclass in encouraging kids to interact creatively with their environment and literature.
Extremely safe. While there is suspense and the inherent 'spookiness' of an abandoned prison, the stakes are age-appropriate and there is no graphic violence, profanity, or mature content.
The book is packed with real ciphers, historical facts about Alcatraz, and literary references. It exercises the brain without feeling like a textbook, making it high-level 'edutainment' that actually works.
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