Click Here To Start

Click Here to Start by Denis Markell

What if playing video games was prepping you to solve an incredible real-world puzzle and locate a priceless treasure?

Twelve-year-old Ted Gerson has spent most of his summer playing video games. So when his great-uncle dies and bequeaths him all the so-called treasure in his overstuffed shop of an apartment, Ted explores it like it’s another level to beat. And to his shock, he finds that eccentric Great-Uncle Ted actually has set the place up like a real-life escape-room game! Using his specially honed skills, Ted sets off to win the greatest game he’s ever played, with help from his friends Caleb and Isabel. With each puzzle Ted and his friends solve, they get closer to unraveling the mystery – but someone dangerous is hot on their heels, and he’s not about to let them get away with the fortune.

The Good

Ted and his friends ask for help from adults. They don’t just try to do everything by themselves. They realize when they need help and they ask for it. Once the police get on the scene, they aren’t shown as dumb authorities who don’t know what they’re doing. Denis Markell portrays them as smart and skilled cops who know what to do. It’s awesome to find a book that doesn’t portray authorities in a bad way, but with courage, skill, and bravery.

The Bad

Ted breaks in to the hospital, burns the monitoring breakers, and sneaks into a patient’s room. Furthermore Ted and his friends disobey their parents by helping Isabel escape from her house. The author does point out that this is wrong, and Ted, Caleb, and Isabel are punished. Ted and his friends get kidnapped. This book is not graphic with no witch craft, magic, or wizardry. Ted Gerson is half Jew, but his parents do not seem to follow Jewish customs or laws. Caleb’s parents are divorced. Uncle Ted ran a liquor shop and smoked 3 cigarettes a day. He acquired the solid gold Maltese Falcon by winning in cards.

Ages

Ages 10+ is a great age for this book. The book deals with some stuff as mentioned above, so I think the parent should decide whether they are able to read it.

My Take

This book is exciting. First I wasn’t sure about it because I’m not really into video games, but I still enjoyed it. You don’t need video game knowledge to understand this book. Denis Markell put a a lot of work into the clues so that you can solve them yourself. You can easily identify with the characters and their problems. This book is a fun read and I recommend you read it. Once you do, please comment below!

Review by Kaitlyn