The Secret Box

Reviewed by: Patricia Temple - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 10, 2014

Review

This road trip adventure/family mystery engages readers right form the start with crisp writing and lively characters. The story begins when 12 year old Jax is given a box for her birthday by an Aunt she didn't know she had. Her Mother and only parent, immediately forbids her to open it and intends to return it to the sender. Jax enlists the help of her two male cousins to retrieve the box and solve its mystery. Told in short chapters, alternating between the voice of strong willed Jax, the birthday girl, and her extremely but shy capable cousin, Ethan. Action, humor and suspense move the story along to a satisfying conclusion. Readers will want to spend more time with these characters who, despite their differences manage to work together and gain respect for each other. The story's ending leaves an opening for more, but this first book is not solely set up for a sequel, it is an appealing story in its own right.

Overall Book Score: excellent