Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Poignant adventure of loving family dealing with loss.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
The Einstein family become THE EINSTEINS OF VISTA POINT when, in the wake of their youngest child's sudden death in a tragic accident, they leave city life to open a B&B in the woods. "A fresh start will do us all good," say the grieving parents, as much to convince their kids as to help themselves believe it. Zack, 11, is feeling the loss especially hard when he looks out the window and sees a girl -- about his late sister's age -- heading for a mysterious old tower in the woods. He follows her and they click immediately and become friends, but Ann may not be quite what she says she is. Another mystery is inside the tower, where a plaque bears an inscription in code. Meanwhile, while out exploring, Zack and his older siblings notice flashing lights in the forest. They realize it's a message in Morse code and are soon on a quest that leads them and their parents to unexpected places. But all their plans for a new life may come to nothing, as an old man with a well-deserved reputation as the local troublemaker is seeking to shut down the B&B before it even opens.
Is It Any Good?
Ben Guterson's tale of a grieving family, an old tower in the woods, messages in code, and a new friend who may not be quite what she seems is a great summer read with just a bit of the ghostly. Set in 2002, The Einsteins of Vista Point hearkens back to a long tradition of (fairly harmless) sibling adventures. And while some developments seem a bit convenient and many readers will see the big reveal coming long before the characters do, it's a sweet, relatable tale of a loving family of interesting people dealing with a huge void in their lives. Much of the story involves puzzles, codes, and ciphers, and solving them is part of the fun. Petur Antonsson's plentiful, engaging drawings bring the characters to life and add a lot to the book's charm.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stories of grief, loss, and people coping with them. Do you find that The Einsteins of Vista Point captures some of those feelings well, and perhaps offers some resolution? Are there other stories you think handle this difficult subject well?
If your family had to move from where you live now to a place that's very different, what do you think you'd miss the most? What do you think you wouldn't miss at all?
Are there any cool-looking old buildings near where you live? Do you know what their story is, like who built them and why, and who might have lived and worked there? If you don't know, how could you find out?
Book Details
- Author: Ben Guterson
- Illustrator: Petur Antonsson
- Genre: Emotions
- Topics: Adventures , Brothers and Sisters , Friendship
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Curiosity , Empathy , Teamwork
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books
- Publication date: April 12, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 272
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: June 29, 2022
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