Code Name Cassandra

1-800-Where-R-You #2

by Jenny Carroll, Meg Cabot

"Help me find my little girl."

Jess Mastriani -- dubbed "Lightning Girl" by the press when, after a huge storm, she develops a psychic ability to find missing children -- has lost her miraculous powers. Or has she? She would like the media and the government to think so. All Jess wants is to be left alone, by everyone except sexy Rob Wilkins -- who still hasn't called, by the way....

But it doesn't look like Jess is going to get her wish -- especially not while she's stuck working at a summer camp for musically gifted kids. Then the father of a missing girl shows up to beg Jess to find his daughter. Jess can't say no, but now the feds are on her trail again, as is one ornery stepdad, who'd like to see Lightning Girl...well, dead.

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Fiction, Teen

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2001

About the author

A pseudonym of Meg Cabot, under which she wrote the first 4 1-800-Where-R-You books (When Lightning Strikes, Code Name Cassandra, Safe House, and Sanctuary) and the first 4 Mediator books (Shadowland, Ninth Key, Reunion, and Darkest Hour). These 8 books have been re-released under her her real name.

Reviews

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Code Name Cassandra took this series in a different direction than I expected. While there is still some aspects of the "being able to find missing children," I found it sweved into a territory that didn't feel as heartfelt. Definitely felt more goofy YA based.

The camp scenes? Loved it. So much fun. But it got deep and dark quickly, which is okay. But the intense goofiness into that? It didn't flow great. And then we randomly get her helping people and watching her....

I don't know. This one didn't stick the landing for me despite me still loving it. I want to see how the rest of the series plays out.

Three out of five stars.

[Nasty Lady MJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coronovirus Reread: Somehow this book has not held well up to the test of time. The pop culture references feel super dated now and Jess is extremely immature. Of course, being twice her age now doesn't help matters-am I really that old, do not answer that. Anyway, I am taking a quick break from the series before I read the third book. I probably could shave off a star but I won't for now.

To see full binge review click here.

I could bitch and get really nit picky about some of the music things in this book. And to be honest, I should. I really should. I don’t see how anyone can possibly get into a Musical Festival (Band Camp) or into the top chairs without being able to you know…read music. And it sort of contradicts the earlier book when Jess says that she bought some duets for her and Ruth to play (obviously, she could read music).

Sigh, that aside. Though again fun book.

This seems to be a disturbing pattern, huh? Book with lots and lots of faults but still fun.

I think out of all the series though, this installment has one of the most clean cut plots. It’s a little predictable, but it comes together nicely. And I really loved the Jess and Rob moments in this one too. He’s in the book just enough, but not enough to completely overwhelm the plot.

He’s probably, honestly, one of the least present Cabot male characters and I think that has an interesting effect on the books overall. I do wonder if the book had ran its intended run (eight books) if Rob would’ve been in the later installments more and how that would’ve effected it. For this book, I like his lack of presence. Oddly, it adds to the allure.

There’s almost a third party love interests thrown in here, but the way Cabot handles the whole thing is good in the realistic type of way so bravo there.

[Mr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Sarah Hadd · Rating 2 out of 5]

This heroine is way too close to Meg Cabot’s other paranormal heroine from the mediator series. I liked that series but I take issue with this because it’s pretty unoriginal to recycle so much about one series into another. I have the next two books in the series but I think I’ll pass for now!

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jess continues to be totally badass and totally likable. Meg Cabot cracks me up.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in one of my favorite comfort series (do you guys have those? books that always cheer you up?).

Jess is back, working as a camp counselor with her best friend, Ruth. She is (unluckily) assigned to take care of the boys cabin after the guy who was supposed to take it bails out, and her old nemesis Karen Sue takes over her old cabin.

Honestly though? Thats the least of her problems. She is still dealing with the feds, who (accurately) don't believe that she lost her powers of being able to find people in her sleep. Her interactions with the 2 agents that are assigned to her always make me laugh- she is so sassy and doesn't really put up with any of their shit. She even brings them McDonald's when they are supposed to be surveilling her 'secretly'.

Her interactions with the kids in her cabins are also great- she keeps them in line, doesn't let them get away with anything, but is still there for them and tries to be a fair counselor.

As always, Rob, her love interest, makes me swoon. He is just such a good guy, trying to stay away from Jess because of his probation, but still driving 4 hours just to help her out.

One of my favorite things in this book is that the code name the FBI assigned to Jess is 'Cassandra'-when I was younger I loved Greek mythology, and this is such a blatantly beautiful mythology reference.

There are some things that bug me in this book- I don't always love Jess- she is quick to fight and acts pretty rash sometimes, but it just makes her character more complex and interesting. Meg Cabot write such real characters, and as always, I recommend her books.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a tenn book and is the sequel to When Lighting Strikes. By telling a reporter that she lost her physic abilities to find missing people, Jessica thought she got thr FBI off her back, but it just made them follow her everywhere. She still has secret packages from Roesmary (the person from 1-800-WHERERU that Jessica always tell the adresses of missing childrens to)about missing kids that wants to be found. Durung the camp, one of the conselors asked her if she could find his daughter for him. She was missing for a few weeks and was probably unwillingly taken away from her divorced mother and new stepfather. Accepting, Jessica calls Rob for a ride to find the daughter. When Rob came, they rescued the daughter and managed to get away saftly. But when they got back, they found out that one of the kids were missing and the FBI is also there. Jessica managed to find the kid in a cave after a vision, but inside the cave she had a encounter with the angry stepfather. When the stepfather was going to bash Jessica's head in with a flashlight, the kid came and and wacked him out with a rock. This story ended happily for everyone, but for Jessica because the FBI is following her around more intensly now that they are convinced Jessica's power was never gone.

[Astoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in the series is good.
Jess lied to everyone at the end of book 1, but Agent Smith and Johnson are still tailing her.
Jess is working at summer music camp, and Rob is back home. So I like their non relationship.
Rob is the guy who tries to stay away but when she calls he is there.Always there.
Jess does not want to make the same mistakes and she does not want the Feds to find out the truth, so she needs to make sure of 2 things.
1> that the little girl who is missing wants to be rescue, and
2> That is not a trap from the feds.

I like characters, and the plot is good.
Rob is just amazing.

[Hope Vollm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the setting, I love a summer camp. But I really do feel like Meg Cabot works hard to make sure her characters seem like good people? Let them be flawed! Jess actually said she had to do her job…for the children. She’s 16 come on girl.

Also, I forgot how much I was rooting for her and rob to be together, dang.

[BabyLunLun · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this a lot despite being side track by some stuff and took me longer than usual to finish it. I remember the first book being so so.

Code Name Cassandra we see Jess escape the FBI clutches and trying to start a new slate. She joined Camp Wawasee as their camp counselor. I don't know I feel relax reading about camp, the drama and the whole camp atmosphere. I like Jess's snark and how she deal with the kids. Her romance with Rob. I really like Jess's character and can't wait to see whats nex

[Kamila · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Świetnie się bawię z tą serią! Nie chciałam się oderwać.

Tylko mnie wkurza ten zapis "taak" co chwilę. W pierwszym tomie też to było. Ciekawe czy w oryginale też tak było napisane.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't like it as much as the first one, but it was still a lot of fun. I'm rather into fun, fast-paced reads lately, instead of the boring DNFs I've been slogging through.

[sashi]

rereading this now, i think jessica mastriani may have had a hand in kickstarting my teenage delinquent phase back in the day. no regrets then and no regrets now!

[Gem 💎 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love.

[Katie (Kitkatscanread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considering this book is quite old-school, it's quite kick ass!
Jessica has just as much sass as Rose Hathaway from the Vampire Academy series.
This is a continuation of Jessica's ability to find missing children. She is also struggling to keep it a secret to avoid attention.
Also bad boy Rob sounds hot.
I can't wait for more!

[Amee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jess goes off to (not band) camp with Ruth .Has some challenges, has a bunch of young boys to look after. Gets in trouble (what's new), but does some pretty cool stuff too. And hey...Rob <3

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, it's Ruth's fault. That's how Jess explains her actions when she takes a summer job at Camp Wawasee as a counselor with Ruth. Jess somewhat tries to convince herself that 6 weeks away will do some good, for her and her family.

But it goes South almost immediately when she is reassigned to a boys cabin to cover a sick counselor. Now, she's in charge of 8 surely boys. Of course she finds the trouble maker instantly. Mullet boy, or Shane as she later finds out, is the king of all young jerks. She's constantly getting on to him for causing trouble and picking on small Lionel. (Lee-oh-nell)

If dealing with Shane wasn't trouble enough, a distraught father begs Jess for her help in finding his daughter, Keely. Not having much of a choice once the picture is shoved under her nose, Jess finds her the next morning. However, Jess has learned her lesson and is determined to make sure Keely wants to be found.

So guess who she call? Yep, Rob finally makes her appearance! Driving 4 hours just to pick her up, Rob and she make a trip and find Keely. It's clear up front that the care her mother is giving her is not sufficient. As Jess is trying to lead the girl to Rob's bike the crazy drunk step-father attacks them. Just escaping, Rob takes them to a McDonald's where she calls Keely's father.

While waiting, Jess confronts the white van that has been following them. Our favorite Special Agents are back and determined to prove Jess lied and still has her powers.

Going back to camp, Rob and Jess see multiple police and ambulances line the camp's front. Barging in, Jess learns Shane has drowned. Hitting Jess hard she is determined it isn't true, that he just ran off.

Making things worst, Keely's mother's husband, Clay Larson, is after Jess and is potentially dangerous.

Choosing not to care, she refuses to leave with Rob, risking their 'relationship' when he leaves angrily. Learning of Shane's whereabouts without going to sleep, it appears her powers are growing. Giving the feds the slip she, Ruth, and fellow counselors' Dave and Scott help her track him to some caves. Climbing in after Shane she finds him where he calls her out on being a liar about losing her powers. Claiming his stunt was to prove it.

While down there, Mr. Larson traps them and attacks. Barely escaping, Shane and Jess are taken to the infirmary where she and Rob make up.

Book ends with her and Ruth finally getting to relax on tubes in the river.

[Karen Keyte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica Mastriani, feisty heroine of When Lightning Strikes, is back and as cranky as ever in this second installment of the 1-800-Where-R-You series. After being struck by lightning during a freak April storm Jess developed a decidedly odd psychic power. If she looks at a picture of a missing person before she goes to bed, Jess wakes up knowing where that person is now. Exactly where he or she is. Every time. Unfortunately for Jess, having a freaky mutant power isn't all sunshine and roses. Especially when the Feds, specifically the FBI and the U.S. Army, convinced her to let them 'study' her. One daring raid on a military base later (complete with a blown-up helicopter), Jess has decided that working with the Feds is not for her. She has informed all and sundry representatives of the U.S. government and the news media that her new-found psychic power has left as suddenly as it came and, even though the Feds obviously don't believe her, they've backed off a bit.

All of which leaves Jess free to work as a counselor to a bunch of musical prodigies at Camp Wawasee. Jess figures a summer on a lake in northern Indiana is just what the doctor would order, you know, if the doctor knew she still had her freaky powers. A little sun, a lot of music, a cabin full of twelve-year-old girls eager to have their hair braided, what could go wrong? Alas, because Jess obviously has the worst luck in the world, the answer is 'everything.'

First of all, a fellow counselor comes down with mono and Jess is asked to move in with a cabin full of twelve-year-old boys, no hair braiding skills required. They're paying her, so of course she's going to say yes, which means she's stuck with the eight little terrors. As if managing her pack of wild dogs, er.. boys, wasn't bad enough, a distraught father shows up at Wawasee and asks Jess to help him find his missing five-year-old daughter. Jess wants to help, but first she has to find a way to do that without giving away the fact that she still has her powers. This isn't going to be easy, but that's the story of Jess's life.

Although this book is the series, enough back story is given so that a reader who picks this one up first isn't going to be lost. As with When Lightning Strikes, Code Name Cassandra is lifted above the mainstream of Y.A. fiction by Meg Cabot's stellar storytelling and the snappy dialogue. Lots of fun!

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

So after reading the first of this series I immediately moved on to this book. Its hard to see think of a place where it stopped, it sort of became a blur. Still different from reading anything else. Again written as if you are reading Jess her diary, which is amusing and refreshing. Luckily there was less of Ruth in this book and Mike and Douglas weren't in it at all.

I was surprised about a few things, where did this camping counselor idea come from and how could she go away for 6 weeks, from ROB?? But I guess it fit well into the story. Otherwise there wouldn't have been a Dave or Scott to become friends with. Or a Shane to annoy the living crap out of her. She's not such a good camp counselor. I would get kicked out for the stuff she does with the kids.

There were a few factors that started to annoy me even more though. Rob is being a pain in the ass. He keeps holding on the the stupid excuse for not getting together with Jessica, while he goes across the country for her. Ruth is being unbearably annoying and whiny. Most of the characters are stressing Jess about her gift not being gone, which of course is true, but they are forcing her to be that way. The feds keep taps on her and follow her around everywhere.

I enjoyed reading it anyway, can't wait to start the next book. Thanks again Mia ;) I just need to know how things work out for Jess.

[B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little book. It was witty, quirky, and enjoyable. Took about 45 minutes to read. It read as though it was more of a lead in to the next book, as opposed to a standalone book, but this did not decrease the enjoyment of the book itself. It is a series that should not be read out of order, however.

[Scribblegirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 to 3 stars. Cabot originally wrote this as Jenny Carroll, and with good reason - it's an edgier read with more grit than her Princess Diaries and Mediator series. Her heroine, Jess, cusses, spends a lot of time in detention, and just generally likes life a little close to the edge. Jess isn't a bad girl, but she has a few bad habits. The books are obviously geared toward teens who find the Princess books a little young and want their fiction a little spicier than the Mediator books.

I've read both book 1 (When Lightning Strikes) and book 2 (this one) so far, and I by far liked book 1 best of the two, though neither one of them do much for me. Jess is likeable enough, but the books are pretty repetitive and Jess a little too hard-headed and slow on the uptake. I may read book 3 sometime in the future, but I need some time away from the 1-800 series first.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and actually read the first four in less than three weeks. (Would have been quicker if I didn't need to wait for a ride to the book store.) It's probably my favorite of Meg Cabot's work, but this one I don't know. The story is awesome and all but something just bugged me.

That something was most likely the fact that Jess is working at a Summer camp with a bunch of kids. That did not appeal to me, I know that makes me sound bad like I'm anti-kid or something, (just for the record I'm not), but they were so annoying.

This is my opinion now six years later, I don't remember the first thoughts I had back then. My guess is that the kids still bugged me but I probably didn't think what I do now which is that Jess should have just forgotten the kids and gone off with Rob.

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second in the series. In this adventure Jess (who was stuck by lightening and now knows locations of missing children) is a camp counselor for the summer. Of course a father seeks her to find his missing child. But the more fun is that she gets put in charge of a boys cabin and tries to keep them in line. Of course her motorcycle riding boyfriend shows up to help too. Light read. No big surprises, but I can see why my daughter enjoys Cabots writing. I liked the Mediator series better by Cabot, but these are fun.

[Bisquit · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit more plausible than the first book of the series, but still with the highlights (=Jess, the violent heroine with a temper, also adorable poor Rob). The writing got a bit better compared to book 1 - it does feel authentic for a teen story, and it's a fast-paced fun read, it's just no literary master piece.

I really liked the story in this one, too - Jess dealing with kids is hilarious. Her solution with problem kid Shane was unexpected, but I hope he'll return in the next installment. As much as he annoyed me in the beginning, he is sort of cute. Recommended if you liked the prequel!

[Kirsten]

I started with the second book and loved it. You can start anywhere in this series and understand whats going on. Really good plot!

[Brooke]

Read this one a few years ago and still remember it. Such a great book. One of my favorites from that period of reading.

[F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read way too much last night. And I also interacted with humans today. And my sleep schedule is all messed up. So I needed comfort reading.

Read: March 30 2015
Read: June 24 2016

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

In love...looking forward to read the next book of this series!