Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mystery, adventure, laughs in imaginative series start.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 17 kid reviews
Kids say this book is an incredible read, filled with complex characters and engaging twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Many reviewers express their deep affection for the series, highlighting its captivating plot about clones and the moral questions surrounding their existence, making it a popular choice for middle school readers.
- captivating characters
- engaging plot
- unexpected twists
- recommended for teens
- great for summer reading
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Brainiac Eli, overachieving Amber, artistic Tori, bully Malik, and Hector "the shrimp," who does most of Malik's schoolwork, have lived their whole lives -- from 11 to 13 years -- in the idyllic town of Serenity, New Mexico, and, except for Malik, who can't wait to go to "NYC," they don't see much reason to leave. But a series of curious events reveals that they're essentially prisoners, and very little they know is what it seems to be, starting with their parents and the kids themselves. As one sinister discovery leads to another, they realize they have to escape to the outside world they've only heard bad things about.
Is It Any Good?
Author Gordon Korman is a skilled storyteller, and this first installment in the MASTERMINDS series bodes well. There's plenty of humor, suspense, and believable middle-school dynamics as the kids take turns telling the story, making discoveries, and coming to terms with the sinister reality behind their perfect lives. Young readers also will relate to the poignant side as the young characters deal with their worlds falling apart: "One minute you think you've got your life figured out," Eli muses. "The next it shatters like a glass bowl hitting a stone patio." The ending leaves many issues to be resolved and sets up future adventures.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of stories about small towns in the middle of nowhere where things aren't what they seem. What other examples do you know?
One of the big questions in Masterminds is whether it's your genes that make you who you are or whether your family life and other influences matter more. What do you think?
Take some event that's happening in the real world and write a version of it that would make it into Serenity's censored, always-happy media.
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Balzer + Bray
- Publication date : February 3, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 336
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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