Cooper Hawke and the Secret of Phantom Island is the greatest video game nobody has ever played. The treasure-hunting adventure was supposed to set a new standard for gaming. Then, just one month before its release date, it fell off the face of the earth. 

Now, for the first time, you get a chance to play the mysterious game – from the inside. As you outsmart enemies, solve puzzles, and explore the island’s hidden areas, you’ll discover that there’s more to this game than the world realized. (From Andrews McMeels Publishing)

MY TAKE

The first reviews I ever published were for an educational magazine and focused on video games and computer software for kids. Fast forward to present day and what fun it was to dive into this choose your plot adventure. I was even able to beat the video game within the book. It happened too quick, but thankfully there was more. Readers are encouraged to seek out a special added bonus and find every possible ending. Doing so reveals a code you enter online that unlocks a secret story.

Author, Dustin Brady, writes books for kids who hate reading. This new series will have them jumping forward and back through the pages, sometimes having to turn the book upside down or solving the many mind boggling and eyeball moving puzzles. You are encouraged to write in the book unless it’s a library copy. No worries if it is. Go to the book’s webpage and download the puzzling worksheets.

It’s all in good fun and the winners are kids who hate the traditional reading experience. Perfect for the third or fourth grader in your life, or anyone else who loves a good game. Power up and read on.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: September 1, 2020 PAGE COUNT: 176

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (From Dustin’s web site)

Dustin Brady writes funny, action-packed books for kids. Although he regularly gets locked out of his own accounts for forgetting passwords, Dustin still remembers the Super Mario Bros. 3 Game Genie code for infinite lives. It’s SLXPLOVS. Dustin lives in Cleveland, Ohio, with his wife, kids, and a small dog named Nugget.

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I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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Blogging about middle grade books or authors next week? Join the celebration:

All you have to do is blog about a middle grade book on a Monday (contests, author interviews, or anything middle grade related also count). Email me the title of the book or feature and a link to your blog at gpcolo[at]gmail[dot]com

Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so it gets sorted accurately–and please don’t forget to say what book or author you’re featuring) You MUST email me your link by Sunday evening (11 PM Eastern Time) in order to be included in the list of links for the coming Monday.

Thanks for spreading the middle grade love and for being a part of this awesome tradition begun by Shannon Messenger and carried on here at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE! (CLICK HERE FOR PAST MMGM POSTS)

*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen reviews ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me.