Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Krawczyk
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Boy finds family, friendship in heartwarming adventure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In CHESTER KEENE CRACKS THE CODE, 11-year-old Chester navigates the challenges of middle school and yearns for his absent father. He's being bullied and has no friends, but he doesn't want his mom to worry about it. Meanwhile, Chester and his classmate Skye are thrown together to solve a series of clues in a scavenger hunt. Their personalities differ a lot, but they form a tentative friendship. As they team up to solve the puzzle, they find themselves involved in a bigger adventure and maybe even in some danger. Chester wonders why the puzzle-maker put him together with Skye. Will they solve the mystery in time? Will the clues bring Chester any closer to finding the truth about his dad?
Is It Any Good?
This sweet story about family and friendship keeps readers engaged with an exciting mix of mystery and adventure. Chester Keene Cracks the Code explores family bonds, friendship, bullying, and forgiveness with sensitivity and warmth. Buttoned-down, serious Chester and free-wheeling, messy Skye make a great team, and they're funny together, too. While readers may feel frustrated as Chester and his mom continually struggle to communicate, they'll be more than rewarded when mother and son finally find their way. The story provides an excellent lesson about honesty and forgiveness. Readers will also see the different ways that people can find, and make, family and friends
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about bullying in Chester Keene Cracks the Code. At first, Chester doesn't tell his mom that he's being bullied. Why is it important to tell a trusted adult about bullying? How does Chester demonstrate courage in responding to Marc's bullying in the end?
Chester hasn't seen his dad for more than eight years and wants to find him. What does Chester think about family and finding his dad at the beginning of the book? How does that change by the end of the story?
Chester and Skye work together to solve the clues in the scavenger hunt. Through teamwork, the figure things out and find friendship. Have you ever worked with a classmate or friend on a project or problem? How did it go?
Chester's mom makes a big mistake by telling a lie about something important. Has someone ever lied to you about something important? How did it feel? What did you do?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Contemporary Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Wendy Lamb
- Publication date : July 5, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate