Parents' Guide to
The Secret Cipher: The Secret Box Series, Book 2
Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kids race to save world in fast-paced sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Cousins Jax, Ethan, and Tyler are still recuperating from the events in The Secret Box, but however fondly Ethan may hope to get his peaceful life back, it's not in the cards. For one thing, Great-Aunt Juniper, who guards the magic urn of Book 1, has disappeared. For another, a beautiful girl in Greek sandals kisses geeky Tyler at a Magic: The Gathering tournament. Also, a bizarre bank robbery closely resembles the crimes of Book 1's villains, who are supposed to be in jail. Between the fear of world-destroying weapons falling into the wrong hands and the excitement of their mysterious new companion, Tyler is soon persuaded to take the wheel for another perilous road trip, and the plot thickens when Jax starts getting emails from someone claiming to be her long-lost father.
Is It Any Good?
Even reluctant readers will be avidly turning the pages en route to a cliffhanger ending that sets up the finale. It appears that the kids may finally have gotten themselves into something they can't get themselves out of! Wisecracking, determined Jax and shy, sickly Ethan take turns telling the story, with occasional interludes from older brother and successful teen game developer Tyler; they're all very appealing and relatable as they try to solve the secret cipher, avert cosmic mayhem, and grapple with such real-life challenges as the fact that although Tyler and Ethan's family has plenty of money, Jax's single mom doesn't -- and Jax's father is in prison.
Parents who aren't sure their kids are mature enough to keep the story's larceny, lying, and other peccadilloes in perspective may wish to discuss the issues with them.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the world of Greek mythology -- and why a character from that world might like our world better.
Have you ever been to a comics or science-fiction convention? How did you like it? What was the most impressive costume? If you were going to one of these gatherings, which character would you dress up as?
Do you know any kids who have a parent in prison? How does it affect their lives?
Book Details
- Author: Whitaker Ringwald
- Genre: Mystery
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Adventures , Brothers and Sisters , Friendship
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
- Publication date: February 24, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 10 - 18
- Number of pages: 256
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: April 15, 2019
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