Ages 9+1-min guideMysteryFriendshipAdventure
Book Scavenger
by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Good fitA great fit for most kids 9 and up. A clever puzzle mystery for book lovers. A man is shot early on, and thugs chase the kids.
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What it’s about
Emily, 12, loves Book Scavenger, a game of hiding and hunting for books. Her family moves to San Francisco, home of the game’s creator, Garrison Griswold. After Griswold is attacked, Emily and her neighbor James find a mysterious copy of The Gold-Bug.
The ending
What might come up
ViolenceSomeGriswold is shot in the back early on. Later a thug points a gun at the kids.
Scary momentsA littleTwo thugs follow and chase Emily and James around the city.
Family stressA littleEmily’s family moves from state to state, and she fears they will soon move again.
LanguageA littleMild words like 'stupid,' 'idiot,' 'shut up,' and 'what the heck,' plus 'fugly' once.
RomanceNone
Why kids like it
Real codes and puzzles that readers can try to crack along with Emily.
Free printable quiz
- 1What city does Emily’s family move to?
- 2Who created the Book Scavenger game?
- 3What book do Emily and James find?
- 4What is James really good at?
