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Finney and the Secret Tunnel: A Finney and the Mathmysterians Adventure
Booby-trapped tunnels. Secret societies. Puzzles. A buried secret.
Finney’s sixth-grade math teacher might hand out too many worksheets and have a weird hang-toothed smile, but there’s something sincere about her that nudges Finney to follow her trail when she goes missing. Making her way through secret tunnels beneath the school, Finney’s now wrapped up in a secret society rivalry. In a race to solve puzzles and dodge dangerous boobytraps, can Finney uncover a world-changing secret left by one of the world’s greatest geniuses?
Finney’s sixth-grade math teacher might hand out too many worksheets and have a weird hang-toothed smile, but there’s something sincere about her that nudges Finney to follow her trail when she goes missing. Making her way through secret tunnels beneath the school, Finney’s now wrapped up in a secret society rivalry. In a race to solve puzzles and dodge dangerous boobytraps, can Finney uncover a world-changing secret left by one of the world’s greatest geniuses?
- GenresMysteryMiddle Grade
240 pages, Paperback
Published November 14, 2023
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1877 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 17, 2023
Finney, a 6th grader, watches her math/science teacher, Ms. Swindell, go into the supply closet in her classroom and never come out. Out of curiosity and concern, Finney goes in after her, leading her to a world of secret societies, puzzles, and a discovery of the importance of math while she saves the world. With her best friend, Erika, by her side, Finney channels her female heroes as she does things she never expected to do in school. This book reminded me of the best of Indiana Jones and the National Treasure movies, as well as the TV series, The Librarians.
Finney is a realistic protagonist. The author balances Finney's bravery with self-doubt. Finney's parents' divorce and her new stepfather add needed realism, keeping the plot from becoming too fantastical. I would recommend the book to upper-elementary students who may or may not like math class. Many students could imagine themselves as Finney, possibly checking the supply closets in their own schools. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope there will be more featuring Finney and the Mathmysterians.
Finney is a realistic protagonist. The author balances Finney's bravery with self-doubt. Finney's parents' divorce and her new stepfather add needed realism, keeping the plot from becoming too fantastical. I would recommend the book to upper-elementary students who may or may not like math class. Many students could imagine themselves as Finney, possibly checking the supply closets in their own schools. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope there will be more featuring Finney and the Mathmysterians.
November 6, 2023
This one grabbed me from the very first sentence: "Trouble. The word nipped at Finney, her insides smacking around like an out-of-lake fish."
Finney and the Secret Tunnel is a rollicking, adventurous and delightful story. The language in this book is playful and entertaining. Many middle-grade writers make the mistake of using a very dull and basic vocabulary, which is somewhat insulting to the intended audience. Barber's writing is both fun and sophisticated, with some great descriptions and similes.
The story unfolds at a cracking pace, keeping you flipping through pages to eagerly discover what lies in store for Finney and her friends. There's a few fun visual elements and puzzles to solve throughout, and it sets up the rest of the series very nicely.
I mostly checked this one out to see if it'd be something I could read to my daughter, but I had an absolutely grand time reading it and will definitely check out whatever Barber writes next.
Finney and the Secret Tunnel is a rollicking, adventurous and delightful story. The language in this book is playful and entertaining. Many middle-grade writers make the mistake of using a very dull and basic vocabulary, which is somewhat insulting to the intended audience. Barber's writing is both fun and sophisticated, with some great descriptions and similes.
The story unfolds at a cracking pace, keeping you flipping through pages to eagerly discover what lies in store for Finney and her friends. There's a few fun visual elements and puzzles to solve throughout, and it sets up the rest of the series very nicely.
I mostly checked this one out to see if it'd be something I could read to my daughter, but I had an absolutely grand time reading it and will definitely check out whatever Barber writes next.
November 6, 2023
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up to 4
I really liked the premise and plot devices in Barber's debut Middle Grade novel Finney and the Secret Tunnel. Barber plans to write a follow up to create a series, and I really love that Finney will get involved in further mysteries to solve using math.
What I liked: Finney is an endearing flawed character that many middle graders will relate to. She's prone to getting into mild trouble because of her overactive imagination and eagerness for adventure, but she is a good student who is really much smarter than people give her credit for. I love her solid friendship with Ericka and the complex but loving relationship she has with her mom. The mystery at the center of the novel is intriguing and, given its focus on math, it is a great way to show middle graders that math can be cool. I also like Karina, Xavier, and Aadash of the MathMysterians, who seem to be what Finney and Ericka can grow up to be. I really like that Finney develops a kind of mentor/mentee relationship with Karina. Karina's character grew on me - she was a bit unlikable at first, but she became much more interesting as the story progressed.
What I didn't like as much: as much as I liked the mystery at the center of the story, it took too long to really get into the action. I found it frustrating to have the action interrupted so many times by long scenes of Finney speculating about the mystery and her teacher's motivations with nothing much else actually happening. It made the story drag in those spots, and when the real action did pick up, it then felt rushed. It made for an unbalanced story through line flow. I did appreciate knowing a bit about Finney's conflicted feelings, but those scenes were too long and happened too often. If I got frustrated as an adult reader, I imagine middle graders, with a shorter attention span, will tire more quickly. These scenes also included lots of long blocks of dense text and too many descriptive details that tended to slow down the narrative flow, another aspect that could turn off the intended readers, who are used to quick cuts of action and dialogue.
Additionally, possibly because of this attention to details, the phrasing and word choices were sometimes awkwardly structured, inspiring unintended strange images of what was going on. Simpler, more straightforward language (not simplistic) is especially called for in middle grade novels and chapter books so it's the story that takes center stage, not the attempts at more colorful and inventive, unconventional vocabulary in so many places. The math terminology and the puzzles and the occasional hyperbolic utterances by Finney and Ericka, as tweens in the 21st century are prone to do, are perfect and enough for a story like this and will make it easier for the middle grade readers to connect with the story and the main characters.
In the end, I really loved the premise of the book, and I enjoyed the mystery; I really felt Finney's anxiety in lots of places. The story is a middle grade version of Indiana Jones and National Treasure, and middle graders would love that. I loved both Finney and Ericka as the middle grade characters, and I think it would make for a great series that middle graders would like to follow. Math is COOL!
I thank Jamie Lane Barber, Level Best Books, and BookSirens for this free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really liked the premise and plot devices in Barber's debut Middle Grade novel Finney and the Secret Tunnel. Barber plans to write a follow up to create a series, and I really love that Finney will get involved in further mysteries to solve using math.
What I liked: Finney is an endearing flawed character that many middle graders will relate to. She's prone to getting into mild trouble because of her overactive imagination and eagerness for adventure, but she is a good student who is really much smarter than people give her credit for. I love her solid friendship with Ericka and the complex but loving relationship she has with her mom. The mystery at the center of the novel is intriguing and, given its focus on math, it is a great way to show middle graders that math can be cool. I also like Karina, Xavier, and Aadash of the MathMysterians, who seem to be what Finney and Ericka can grow up to be. I really like that Finney develops a kind of mentor/mentee relationship with Karina. Karina's character grew on me - she was a bit unlikable at first, but she became much more interesting as the story progressed.
What I didn't like as much: as much as I liked the mystery at the center of the story, it took too long to really get into the action. I found it frustrating to have the action interrupted so many times by long scenes of Finney speculating about the mystery and her teacher's motivations with nothing much else actually happening. It made the story drag in those spots, and when the real action did pick up, it then felt rushed. It made for an unbalanced story through line flow. I did appreciate knowing a bit about Finney's conflicted feelings, but those scenes were too long and happened too often. If I got frustrated as an adult reader, I imagine middle graders, with a shorter attention span, will tire more quickly. These scenes also included lots of long blocks of dense text and too many descriptive details that tended to slow down the narrative flow, another aspect that could turn off the intended readers, who are used to quick cuts of action and dialogue.
Additionally, possibly because of this attention to details, the phrasing and word choices were sometimes awkwardly structured, inspiring unintended strange images of what was going on. Simpler, more straightforward language (not simplistic) is especially called for in middle grade novels and chapter books so it's the story that takes center stage, not the attempts at more colorful and inventive, unconventional vocabulary in so many places. The math terminology and the puzzles and the occasional hyperbolic utterances by Finney and Ericka, as tweens in the 21st century are prone to do, are perfect and enough for a story like this and will make it easier for the middle grade readers to connect with the story and the main characters.
In the end, I really loved the premise of the book, and I enjoyed the mystery; I really felt Finney's anxiety in lots of places. The story is a middle grade version of Indiana Jones and National Treasure, and middle graders would love that. I loved both Finney and Ericka as the middle grade characters, and I think it would make for a great series that middle graders would like to follow. Math is COOL!
I thank Jamie Lane Barber, Level Best Books, and BookSirens for this free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 3, 2023
Finney and the Secret Tunnel was an exciting read. Perfect for 6th graders, it has elements of middle school math and explains it well. It would be a great book for any student struggling in the subject, as it revolves around it.
The characters, along with the central themes of the book, provide a soft and cosy feeling. Finney and her friend, Erika, showed us elements of bravery and camaraderie. The Mathmysterians provided a sense of belonging and comfort, a safe space for Finney and Erika. The characters showed growth and acceptance, some aspects needed for the development of the youth.
Even though Barber did a great job with the characters, I felt that the book's pace could have been faster, like that which most middle-grade books show. It delved into the main topics in the later parts of the book, which caused me to feel slightly bored and inattentive while reading. There was also quite a large gap between the exciting parts of the book, which also contributed to the dull feeling.
Though there were parts where I felt like it could go faster, I found the storyline to be impressive and unique. I haven’t found many books where math is put on a pedestal, and this was a nice change of pace. It is also very helpful to many middle schoolers, as it may help them develop an interest in STEM topics and influence them in a good way.
In total, I appreciated the chance to read the book and think it is a wonderful way to get middle schoolers interested in topics they weren’t previously interested in. Thank you Netgalley, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, and Jamie Lane Barber for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
The characters, along with the central themes of the book, provide a soft and cosy feeling. Finney and her friend, Erika, showed us elements of bravery and camaraderie. The Mathmysterians provided a sense of belonging and comfort, a safe space for Finney and Erika. The characters showed growth and acceptance, some aspects needed for the development of the youth.
Even though Barber did a great job with the characters, I felt that the book's pace could have been faster, like that which most middle-grade books show. It delved into the main topics in the later parts of the book, which caused me to feel slightly bored and inattentive while reading. There was also quite a large gap between the exciting parts of the book, which also contributed to the dull feeling.
Though there were parts where I felt like it could go faster, I found the storyline to be impressive and unique. I haven’t found many books where math is put on a pedestal, and this was a nice change of pace. It is also very helpful to many middle schoolers, as it may help them develop an interest in STEM topics and influence them in a good way.
In total, I appreciated the chance to read the book and think it is a wonderful way to get middle schoolers interested in topics they weren’t previously interested in. Thank you Netgalley, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, and Jamie Lane Barber for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
October 18, 2023
A fun and educational mystery novel for middle-graders! Finney and The Secret Tunnel follows a young girl on an adventure through underground tunnels to help the Mathmysterians protect a secret treasure.
When Finney’s teacher disappears in the classroom storage closet, Finney stumbles into a whole new world underneath her school, situated in Virginia. She is entrusted by her teacher to assist her colleagues with preventing a group called The Order from stealing the treasure hidden there. By using her knowledge of history and mathematics, Finney digs deep inside to find the courage and strength to keep the secret hidden. With a reputation for getting into trouble, Finney struggles to be accepted for who she is. Her induction into the society of Mathmysterians provides an opportunity for Finney to make good choices and show she can be responsible and dependable. The main character is relatable and a good role model for children on their way to becoming young adults.
Readers will enjoy solving the puzzle alongside Finney as she races through the streets and tunnels of Virginia to help her teacher. Author Jamie Lane Barber builds suspense as the danger intensifies, and will keep you turning the pages to discover who can be trusted in this quest. An educational and entertaining story kids will love!
When Finney’s teacher disappears in the classroom storage closet, Finney stumbles into a whole new world underneath her school, situated in Virginia. She is entrusted by her teacher to assist her colleagues with preventing a group called The Order from stealing the treasure hidden there. By using her knowledge of history and mathematics, Finney digs deep inside to find the courage and strength to keep the secret hidden. With a reputation for getting into trouble, Finney struggles to be accepted for who she is. Her induction into the society of Mathmysterians provides an opportunity for Finney to make good choices and show she can be responsible and dependable. The main character is relatable and a good role model for children on their way to becoming young adults.
Readers will enjoy solving the puzzle alongside Finney as she races through the streets and tunnels of Virginia to help her teacher. Author Jamie Lane Barber builds suspense as the danger intensifies, and will keep you turning the pages to discover who can be trusted in this quest. An educational and entertaining story kids will love!
October 26, 2023
This is a great example of how an enjoyable story can also be educational for young readers - by enabling them to learn without too much conscious effort.
Finney is a maths geek who nevertheless manages to get into trouble with alarming frequency. When she catches her 6th grade teacher Mrs Swindell disappearing into a supply closet one day, Finney cannot resist following her, to find out what is going on.
As it happens, there is considerably more going on in the secret tunnels under her school in Virginia than Finney ever imagined! Soon, she has been inducted into the Mathmysterians, an undercover society charged with protecting one of the world's greatest secrets.
And Finney, accompanied by her friend Erika, takes on the task of solving maths based puzzles in order to fullfil the responsibilities and protect the secrets that the Mathmysterians are tasked with.
Finney is a likeable and relatable MC, not least because she is also dealing with the real life challenges of her parents' divorce, and dealing with a new stepfather. This will be a good choice for children in the target age group, particularly those with struggling with any middle school maths requirement. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Finney is a maths geek who nevertheless manages to get into trouble with alarming frequency. When she catches her 6th grade teacher Mrs Swindell disappearing into a supply closet one day, Finney cannot resist following her, to find out what is going on.
As it happens, there is considerably more going on in the secret tunnels under her school in Virginia than Finney ever imagined! Soon, she has been inducted into the Mathmysterians, an undercover society charged with protecting one of the world's greatest secrets.
And Finney, accompanied by her friend Erika, takes on the task of solving maths based puzzles in order to fullfil the responsibilities and protect the secrets that the Mathmysterians are tasked with.
Finney is a likeable and relatable MC, not least because she is also dealing with the real life challenges of her parents' divorce, and dealing with a new stepfather. This will be a good choice for children in the target age group, particularly those with struggling with any middle school maths requirement. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
October 18, 2023
Author Jamie Lane Barber must have a direct line into the minds of sixth-graders because this book has everything young readers will love. Think "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" meets "Indiana Jones" starring nerdy, inquisitive Finney, who is always in TROUBLE, with a capital "T".
When Finney's math teacher disappears into a supply closet, Finney is determined to find her. What follows is an adrenalin-pounding adventure through secret tunnels and around mind-blowing booby traps. Soon, Finney is pulled into a race to save her teacher and protect one of the world's greatest secrets. At last, her love of numbers pays off in a big way, when she deciphers clues hidden within mathematic formulas.
The story is one of bravery and fear, trust and doubt, as Finney uses all her wits to solve the mysteries. Ultimately, she and best friend Erika accomplish something even the grown-ups aren't able to do -- proving Finney's belief that kids can be "important" people, too.
Middle-school readers will devour this book from cover-to-cover without stopping. It's THAT GOOD.
When Finney's math teacher disappears into a supply closet, Finney is determined to find her. What follows is an adrenalin-pounding adventure through secret tunnels and around mind-blowing booby traps. Soon, Finney is pulled into a race to save her teacher and protect one of the world's greatest secrets. At last, her love of numbers pays off in a big way, when she deciphers clues hidden within mathematic formulas.
The story is one of bravery and fear, trust and doubt, as Finney uses all her wits to solve the mysteries. Ultimately, she and best friend Erika accomplish something even the grown-ups aren't able to do -- proving Finney's belief that kids can be "important" people, too.
Middle-school readers will devour this book from cover-to-cover without stopping. It's THAT GOOD.
January 14, 2024
The tone–both confident and confiding from the moment Finney is introduced (“‘Trouble. The word nipped at Finney, her insides smacked around like an out-of-lake fish.”)—and the classroom, exhilarating and infectious. Conflict emerges immediately with Finney's home life, Ms. Swindell (her teacher), and there my twelve-year-old self is, right where Jamie Lane Barber, the brilliant author, wants me, hushed, hooked, and hardly breathing for the duration.
These are my initial thoughts, but my 11-year-old daughter has more...
I loved Finney and her mystery adventure story! I read it in one week even though I have school, basketball, and soccer practice because it's a fun story! I won't give spoilers because my dad hasn't finished it but I can't wait for the next book. I loved the mystery and how Finney found out about the missing student and the secret societies. My favorite part was the end when Finney solved the puzzles!
These are my initial thoughts, but my 11-year-old daughter has more...
I loved Finney and her mystery adventure story! I read it in one week even though I have school, basketball, and soccer practice because it's a fun story! I won't give spoilers because my dad hasn't finished it but I can't wait for the next book. I loved the mystery and how Finney found out about the missing student and the secret societies. My favorite part was the end when Finney solved the puzzles!
January 11, 2025
Finney and the Secret Tunnel by Jamie Lane Barber is an enthralling, suspenseful and mathematically charged Middle Grade book. Finney, a young girl, learns that her Math teacher, Ms. Swindell has secrets that may involve the works and formulas developed by Albert Einstein. Along with her friend, Erica, Finney embarks on a journey that involves solving puzzles that open doors to secret tunnels and drags her into an unknown world. Finney learns about a society called the Mathmysterians. She also discovers that she has teachers and her own principal that are a part of this world that is in danger. Finney must learn to trust herself but be able to distinguish who is on the right side of history. She learns that life and people are not always what they seem. This book is wonderful, and you don’t have to be a math whiz to enjoy this intriguing and fast-paced mystery.
December 12, 2023
An enjoyable middle-grade read which will encourage young readers to think about science as something fun and adventurous. Throughout the book, the young protagonist is faced with mathematical enigmas and puzzles sparked by the disappearance of her school teacher. The text is clear and easily accessible and has lively dialogues. I feel there is space for future character development in potential sequels. This is probably what was lacking here - and it is the reason for my 3-star review rating -, as readers are thrown very rapidly into the mystery rather than having a bit of time to get to know the characters. This is particularly the case with the teacher who disappears before we are able to get attached to her (and therefore feel worried about her fate).
October 12, 2024
A secret society is guarding a surprising treasure (not one of gold and jewels) in underground tunnels, ones protected by mathematical puzzles. Finney, a 6th grader who struggles to stay out of trouble, learns both her own strengths and also the importance of friendships and trust. A lot of action, but it felt a bit formulaic to me. Still, a solid choice for middle grade mystery fans.
October 25, 2023
This is a fantastic read and a great way to encourage STEM skills through fiction. Finney is a delightful protagonist who must solve math puzzles to rescue her teacher. Part quest, part coming of age, and part math story, Barber weaves a narrative that kids will absolutely love.
June 13, 2024
National Treasure meets a young Indiana Jones in this fun middle grade adventure. Filled with a mathematical secret society, hidden passageways beneath a school, a lot of heart and purpose, readers will delight in the adventure Finney takes them on to solve an intriguing mystery. The author presents Finney as a relatable middle schooler who desires to feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment. After a hefty rejection from a family member, it seems one thing after another is at odds against her. However, with determination to prove herself, she pulls through in the end for those that mean the most to her. The author sets this book up nicely to continue Finney’s adventures. A great read!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews