The Secret Cipher: The Secret Box Series, Book 2
Kids race to save world in fast-paced sequel.
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
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 suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Secret Cipher, second volume of the planned Secret Box trilogy, finds cousins Jaqueline (Jax), 12, Ethan, 13, and Tyler, 17, embroiled in more hair-raising adventures. In the process they lie to their parents, run up the parental credit cards, tell assorted whoppers to adults including nuns and prison guards, and burglarize a museum -- but it's all for a good cause, as they have to save the world from a villain bent on enslaving the world with magic from Greek mythology. Their adventures take them to a nursing home, a prison, a comics convention, and historic sites of Boston. Along the way, there are a few "butt" references and some bathroom humor.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
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
Our Editors Recommend
-
Goddess Girls: Athena the Wise
Greek goddesses go to high school in clever classic update.
-
A Wizard of Earthsea: The Earthsea Cycle, Book 1
Classic, magical fantasy novel for tweens up.
-
The Demigod Diaries: The Heroes of Olympus
Exciting stories plus backstory on popular half-god heroes.
For kids who love mystery and mythology
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