Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teens must win video game to save parents in clever sci-fi.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
As THE LOST TRIBES opens, Ben is more focused on improving his newfound basketball skills than on keeping up with school. When his prickly Uncle Henry challenges him to complete a new computer game, Ben recruits his friend Carlos, his sister April, and two other girls to help solve the puzzles and clues. When their parents suddenly go missing, the kids find the game to be more real than they first expected. With time running out, will they be able to win the game, rescue their parents, and prevent a galaxy-size disaster?
Is It Any Good?
Computer games can present a whole world of facts and puzzles, and this fast-moving sci-fi adventure is packed with tantalizing riddles and codes. Author C. Taylor-Butler creates an ethnically and culturally diverse cast led by basketball-loving Ben, who usually tries to do the right thing, even when his life is in danger inside a computer game. Most chapters end with a twist or a surprising revelation. There are plenty of cool facts about ancient cultures, history, and science. Violence is handled with a light touch. The narrative ends in a cliffhanger, and readers will want to grab Book 2, The Lost Tribes: Safe Harbor, ASAP. Book 3, Lost Tribes: Trials, comes out October 20, 2020.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Lost Tribes uses history, science, and puzzles to advance the plot. How have codes and ciphers been used throughout history to hide information?
Ben and April learn some surprising things about their parents. Why do you think adults would hide information from their children?
What other books have you read where the hero must use wits and skill at gaming to save people in real life?
Book Details
- Author: C. Taylor-Butler
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: STEM , Adventures , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models , History
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Move
- Publication date: March 25, 2019
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 10 - 13
- Number of pages: 368
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated: February 22, 2021
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