Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This is exactly what middle-grade fiction should be: smart, engaging, and genuinely enriching without feeling like homework. The Book Scavenger game is such a clever concept that kids will want to start their own versions (and many have, according to reviews).

The mystery has real stakes—someone gets attacked, kids are in danger—but it's calibrated perfectly for the age group. No nightmares, just page-turning tension. Emily is a great protagonist: brainy, observant, dealing with real kid stuff like making friends after yet another move.

The cipher-solving is a huge draw for puzzle kids, though some readers will skip the codes and just follow the story (both approaches work fine). It's literary without being stuffy, celebrating books and reading culture in a way that feels authentic rather than preachy.

If your kid already loves reading, this will make them love it more. If they're meh on books, this probably won't convert them—but it's worth a shot. Strong recommend for the Venn diagram of mystery fans, puzzle nerds, and book lovers.

Age Fit

Perfect for 9-13 year olds who love mysteries, puzzles, or books about books. Reading level is accessible for strong 3rd graders, but the plot complexity and San Francisco setting will engage middle schoolers too. Not for teens unless they're nostalgic or babysitting.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

88

Features a 12-year-old protagonist navigating friendship, family moves, and problem-solving with emotional intelligence. Models cooperation between Emily and James as they work together on puzzles. The attack on Griswold adds tension but isn't gratuitous—it's a mystery setup rather than graphic violence. Healthy family dynamics and positive peer relationships throughout.

Imaginative

94

Absolutely nails the meta-pleasure of books about books. The Book Scavenger game itself—hiding books with puzzles to find them—is genuinely creative and inspires real-world treasure hunts. Packed with ciphers and codes for readers to decode alongside characters. Literary allusions and puzzles invite active engagement rather than passive reading. The concept of turning your city into a literary playground is inspired.

Safe

92

Very safe for middle-grade readers. The 'attack' on Griswold happens off-page and he's in a coma (not dead or graphically injured). Mild suspense as kids are pursued, but age-appropriate thriller tension without graphic content. No inappropriate language, themes, or shocking elements. Common Sense Media reviews from kids and parents confirm appropriateness for 3rd-4th grade and up.

Enriching

91

Celebrates reading, literacy, and books in a way that makes them genuinely cool. Teaches actual cipher-solving and puzzle logic. Set in San Francisco with references to local landmarks and literary culture. Encourages critical thinking, pattern recognition, and persistence. The protagonist is a strong, intelligent girl who uses her brain to solve problems. Compared favorably to The Westing Game—high praise for intellectual engagement.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Makes reading genuinely cool with a treasure-hunt game where books are hidden across cities and found through cipher-solving
Packed with actual codes and puzzles kids can decode alongside the characters—active reading at its finest
Smart, resourceful 12-year-old girl protagonist who uses her brain, not magic or luck, to solve mysteries
Set in real San Francisco with Alcatraz, cable cars, and local color that makes the city a character itself
Celebrates book culture and libraries without being preachy—just pure bibliophile joy

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What to Watch For

Mild thriller elements: a beloved character is attacked (off-page, non-graphic) and kids are pursued by bad guys—appropriate tension but some sensitive kids might worry
Best for kids who already like reading—this won't convert screen-addicted kids, but will delight book lovers
Some puzzles are challenging; younger readers might need help with ciphers (or they can skip them and follow the story)

Conversation Starters

"If you could hide a book anywhere in our city for someone to find, where would you put it and what book would it be?"
"Emily's family moves constantly—what would be hardest for you about always being the new kid? What might be exciting about it?"
"The book has lots of codes and ciphers—want to try making up a secret code we could use to leave each other messages?"
"If you could design a city-wide game like Book Scavenger, what would people hunt for and how would they find clues?"

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