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kristinasshelves's review against another edition
3.0
I've enjoyed the Chasing Vermeer series by this author so am progressing through all of her middle grade novels. While the latter series focuses on art in the mysteries, this one focused on science (in particular Darwin). I did not connect to this one as much and did not find the same excitement in this mystery. However, I still think middle grade readers would enjoy this one, particularly if they have an interest in science.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
Zoomy is an OCD/ASD child with Pathological Myopia and he's being raised by his grandparents in a small, backward town in Michigan. Sounds promising, right? But Zoomy's life isn't that bad - he and his grandparents have constructed a life that works. Then one day (thanks to the mysterious Mr. Zip, his package and Zoomy's alcoholic-thief of a father) that life radically changes. The mystery of the notebook, who Gas is/was, and what will happen to his family are gentle mysteries: not a lot to scare readers, but there are some puzzles for them to solve. As with her other books, there are codes and tons of factual information stuffed into this book; I suspect younger readers enjoy that more than adult readers.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
luckyliza13's review against another edition
4.0
Great for kids to read; has a good mystery based on real life events that kids could would find interesting & could look into on their own and promotes empathy for kids who are a little "different".
marcia_94's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Gostei do Zoomy e de toda a narrativa relacionada com Charles Darwin mas achei a história um pouco lenta e repetitiva.
quietjenn's review against another edition
3.0
hm, one of those books where i enjoyed reading it but immediately forgot that i read it the next day. i liked the characters - both our main protagonist and the supporting ones - but it's definitely more thoughtful character piece then straight up mystery, especially compared to the other balliett's.
leslie_d's review against another edition
4.0
"I enjoyed every one of Balliett’s previous three novels. The Danger Box surpassed them all. Perhaps that is not a fair statement. While fans of Balliett can be assured that The Danger Box is certainly her work, the new characters have shaped a new adventure, and a different way of approaching the Mystery. While I believe, Balliett has offered a fresh approach/voice to Juvenile Mysteries with her previous three, in The Danger Box she is again pushing boundaries in offering a new perspective."
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/2010/11/17/inspired-by/
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/2010/11/17/inspired-by/
jeannemurray3gmailcom's review against another edition
4.0
Really good book! Easy to read, but still consider it best for an older juvenile so that the reader will be able to follow and solve the mystery along with the characters. Interesting because the main character is legally blind and has major OCD. I highly recommend this book.
pkadams's review against another edition
3.0
Over the past few years, Blue Balliett has entertained young, middle readers with mysteries that are suspenseful and full of puzzles while providing some sophisticated cultural references for children. In this story, Blue pushes her boundaries a bit while maintaining her signature style. Set in rural Michigan the reader meets Zoomy, a 12 year old living with his grandparents, who help him cope and accept his pathological myopia and slight autism. He keeps his world in order by maintaining lists. However his lists can't completely help when his good-for-nothing father, whom he has never met, shows back up under mysterious circumstances with a box. What is inside the "danger box" as Zoomy calls it, is a puzzle. He and his friend Lorrol try solving the origins of the danger box.
In what we've come to expect from Blue Balliett, she puts a historical figure in the center of the mystery, allowing young readers to learn a little bit about history, science, and how ideas change the world. Adults figure more in this story than the past, but as always there are kid-size puzzles and codes that engage young readers as they move through this suspenseful and fast-paced novel.
In what we've come to expect from Blue Balliett, she puts a historical figure in the center of the mystery, allowing young readers to learn a little bit about history, science, and how ideas change the world. Adults figure more in this story than the past, but as always there are kid-size puzzles and codes that engage young readers as they move through this suspenseful and fast-paced novel.
heyalisa's review against another edition
5.0
i learned so much from this book and feel it invites exploration in amazing ways.