Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Magic, math, myths fill fast-paced, perilous series start.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Jaqueline (Jax) Malone's vivid imagination and impulsive behavior have often gotten her in trouble with the hardworking single mom who's trying to raise her right. So when a mysterious package arrives on Jax's 12th birthday, and her mom takes one look at the return address and takes it away, Jax uses her wiles and the help of her cousins Ethan and Tyler to get it back. Soon THE SECRET BOX, which changes hands several times over the course of the story, has the kids embroiled in a perilous, hilarious adventure involving Greek mythology, magical forces, modern-day thieves, and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Is It Any Good?
Ringwald puts young characters in situations sure to make parents' blood run cold, but there's a madcap, cartoonish quality to the fast-moving plot that keeps things from getting too scary. Cousins/narrators Jax and Ethan are fresh, appealing, and often funny. Their very different voices help move the story along, keep it interesting, and provide insight. The first installment in a planned trilogy, The Secret Box solves some mysteries and leaves plenty for the sequel.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why stories about finding one or both of your birth parents are so popular. What others have you read or seen in the movies? How do they turn out?
What other stories have you read that involve a magical object from ancient times causing trouble in today's world? How does this one compare?
Do you think it would be fun to find mystery locations using Tyler's method in the story? How might this skill be handy in real life?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : STEM , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Katherine Tegen Books
- Publication date : February 25, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 18
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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