Three kids have everything they need to solve the decades-old mystery of Idlewood Manor, in this middle grade novel full of real ciphers, puzzles, riddles, and codes that Kirkus Reviews calls "a worthy call to unravel a mystery."
Idlewood Manor has been uninhabited for decades, until now . . .
Math whiz Charlie won admission in a puzzle contest—and he's intrigued by the strange numbers he finds on Idlewood's walls. His restless sister Anna had to be dragged to the house—but then she discovers its hidden floor. Emily's parents brought her to the mansion on a secret mission—and she's determined to prove herself to them.
All three kids soon unlock clues to Idlewood's mysterious past and the famous female explorer who's connected to it—and the secret treasure she left behind. But the adults around them are also hunting for the treasure. Charlie, Anna, and Emily will have to overcome their differences and work as a team to solve Idlewood's puzzles before it's too late, in Allison K. Hymas's The Explorer's Code.
An Imprint Book
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
September 29, 2020 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781250258861
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9781250258861
- File size: 2919 KB
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Languages
- English
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Levels
- ATOS Level: 4.7
- Interest Level: 4-8(MG)
- Text Difficulty: 3
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Reviews
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August 1, 2020
Deep in the Shenandoah forest stands Idlewood Manor, where deep-rooted secrets await. The newly reopened historical mansion now serves as a weekend getaway for a select number of lucky visitors. Among these guests are the Hendersons, thanks to gifted 12-year-old Charlie's winning a contest. His exuberant 13-year-old sister, Anna, whose parents continually chastise her, can't wait to explore the manor's nooks and crannies. Following in the footsteps of her idol, famous early-20th-century explorer Virginia Maines, Anna uncovers a secret passageway to a hidden third floor and, further along, an abandoned tower. Charlie's exploits lead him to notice hidden numerical codes among the manor's walls and rooms. Meanwhile, 12-year-old Emily Shaughnessy plans on helping her historian parents on a critical mission to preserve Idlewood Manor as a historical site. All three explorers begin at odds with each other: Emily's suspicious of anyone derailing her task while Charlie and Anna struggle over the loss of their once-close bond. Soon though, the trio must rely on one another to untangle the mysteries of Idlewood Manor and its ties to Maines' disappearance. Full of puzzles and intrigue, this is a delectable treat for readers wanting a brainteaser or two in an intricately paced package. Equally amusing is the three young explorers' implicit battle with the adult guests, who range from bemused roadblocks to the trio's progress to stealthy thieves. Main characters follow a White default. A worthy call to unravel a mystery. (Mystery. 8-12)COPYRIGHT(2020) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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