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Deciphering the Code: 5-Minute Mysteries for Fans of Creepers
Creepers abound in Birchtown. So do mysteries! Like, who destroyed the village garden? What's that strange music coming from the cobblestone well? And who--or what--keeps blowing up the blacksmith shop? Oliver and Audrey investigate in 5-Minute Mysteries for Minecrafters, an all-new series of stories for Minecrafters that can be read in five minutes!
In The Creeper Code, the very first book in this mystery series, Oliver and Audrey learn there's a reward for tracking creepers and cracking cases. From secrets in the swamp to bungles in the jungle, there are mysterious happenings in every block of the biome. But with Oliver's eye for detail, Audrey's courage, and their wolf-dog's super-sniffing nose, no case is too tough for these twins to crack.
Follow twins Oliver and Audrey as they solve mini mysteries in Birchtown--and all around the Overworld in The Creeper Code. In between mini mysteries are coded messages for you to decipher. You can solve each mystery, too--by searching for clues hidden in the stories and illustrations! Help decipher messages written in the "creeper code." Hunt for clues and try to solve each mystery before Audrey and Oliver do!
In The Creeper Code, the very first book in this mystery series, Oliver and Audrey learn there's a reward for tracking creepers and cracking cases. From secrets in the swamp to bungles in the jungle, there are mysterious happenings in every block of the biome. But with Oliver's eye for detail, Audrey's courage, and their wolf-dog's super-sniffing nose, no case is too tough for these twins to crack.
Follow twins Oliver and Audrey as they solve mini mysteries in Birchtown--and all around the Overworld in The Creeper Code. In between mini mysteries are coded messages for you to decipher. You can solve each mystery, too--by searching for clues hidden in the stories and illustrations! Help decipher messages written in the "creeper code." Hunt for clues and try to solve each mystery before Audrey and Oliver do!
- GenresChildrens
120 pages, Hardcover
Published September 19, 2017
5 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 25, 2017
Join Audrey and Oliver as they solve several mini mysteries to figure out why creepers are invading Birchtown and how to stop them! Some of the mysteries are picking out words in secret messages while others require the reader to use context clues from the text, pictures, and Minecraft knowledge to solve. It is a definite plus to have at least some Minecraft knowledge, but it is not essential to still enjoy the story, although lack of knowledge makes it harder to solve some of the puzzles. Kids are encouraged to try and solve the puzzles for themselves before looking at the answers.
The back of the book suggests it is for ages 7 to 12. The reading level is about what I'd expect in first or second grade, although an advanced four year old might be able to read it. Most twelve-year-olds will be able to finish this book in an hour or less and may think it is a “baby book,” but they still may enjoy it if they are Minecraft lovers. There are some interesting and challenging words, such as gazillion, respawn, whined, ingot, and furry. Some of these words kids who love Minecraft will already be familiar with and others they probably know from their friends and family.
It is nice to see most women in the story not fitting the stereotype of needing a protector because they are easily frightened and weak. When they are attacked, it is Audrey who springs into action with her sword to defend herself, while her brother, Oliver, is too scared. A female librarian is an excellent shot with the bow and arrows and can handle herself in a fight, too. Not every woman is a warrior, and neither is every man. It is nice to see the spectrum of human abilities.
I would suggest this book for elementary and early middle school aged children who love Minecraft. Presenting kids with books about subjects they care about is a great way to get them to read more, and this book is a great way to get Minecrafters to read. There is some very mild violence, but if your child plays Minecraft they probably see more violence in there than there is in this book.
I received this book through the Goodreads Giveaways program. Thank you to the author and/or publisher.
The back of the book suggests it is for ages 7 to 12. The reading level is about what I'd expect in first or second grade, although an advanced four year old might be able to read it. Most twelve-year-olds will be able to finish this book in an hour or less and may think it is a “baby book,” but they still may enjoy it if they are Minecraft lovers. There are some interesting and challenging words, such as gazillion, respawn, whined, ingot, and furry. Some of these words kids who love Minecraft will already be familiar with and others they probably know from their friends and family.
It is nice to see most women in the story not fitting the stereotype of needing a protector because they are easily frightened and weak. When they are attacked, it is Audrey who springs into action with her sword to defend herself, while her brother, Oliver, is too scared. A female librarian is an excellent shot with the bow and arrows and can handle herself in a fight, too. Not every woman is a warrior, and neither is every man. It is nice to see the spectrum of human abilities.
I would suggest this book for elementary and early middle school aged children who love Minecraft. Presenting kids with books about subjects they care about is a great way to get them to read more, and this book is a great way to get Minecrafters to read. There is some very mild violence, but if your child plays Minecraft they probably see more violence in there than there is in this book.
I received this book through the Goodreads Giveaways program. Thank you to the author and/or publisher.
October 17, 2017
Creepers, mysteries, emeralds missing, and much more!
I was truly excited that there would be another series by this author and illustrator. I am quite liking the Secrets of an Overworld Survivor series, and so I just had to try this one out.
I had expected this one to be all separately/individual stories, but in fact you do need to read them all together as there is also an overarching plot. Namely the fact that in the first story emeralds were stolen, and that one comes back again, as the twins are looking for those emeralds and hoping to solve that mystery as well.
Most of this book takes place in Birchtown, there is a lot going on in this town now that the Creepers are everywhere (eep, Creepers). From explosions at home, to mysterious music, to pigmonsters, the twins have their hands full finding out what goes on. It was really interesting, plus I loved that we the reader, can also solve the mystery. Mostly done through coded messages that one needs to decipher, but also checking an illustration (for which one really needs to know about Minecraft, as to me I couldn't see anything weird with the image).
The ending was a delight, and oh so very exciting.
I also quite liked Oliver and Audrey. They aren't afraid to get into the fray with monsters, and they really do their best to help out as much as they can.
Also, of course, wonderful illustrations by Grace Sandford. Which is, just like with the other series, the one big reason I want to read these books. :)
I am still not a fan of Minecraft, but I do love these books! I hope there will be more of these 5-minute mystery books. I want them all!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was truly excited that there would be another series by this author and illustrator. I am quite liking the Secrets of an Overworld Survivor series, and so I just had to try this one out.
I had expected this one to be all separately/individual stories, but in fact you do need to read them all together as there is also an overarching plot. Namely the fact that in the first story emeralds were stolen, and that one comes back again, as the twins are looking for those emeralds and hoping to solve that mystery as well.
Most of this book takes place in Birchtown, there is a lot going on in this town now that the Creepers are everywhere (eep, Creepers). From explosions at home, to mysterious music, to pigmonsters, the twins have their hands full finding out what goes on. It was really interesting, plus I loved that we the reader, can also solve the mystery. Mostly done through coded messages that one needs to decipher, but also checking an illustration (for which one really needs to know about Minecraft, as to me I couldn't see anything weird with the image).
The ending was a delight, and oh so very exciting.
I also quite liked Oliver and Audrey. They aren't afraid to get into the fray with monsters, and they really do their best to help out as much as they can.
Also, of course, wonderful illustrations by Grace Sandford. Which is, just like with the other series, the one big reason I want to read these books. :)
I am still not a fan of Minecraft, but I do love these books! I hope there will be more of these 5-minute mystery books. I want them all!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
February 17, 2021
We really like these! My son (7) is crazy about anything Minecraft related. The only drawback to these is you feel like sometimes pages were left out. I kept flipping back going "did I miss a page?!" but no, it would just be an awkward jump from one part of the story to another mystery you didn't even know existed but that is indeed part of the whole of the mystery going on in Birchtown.
But look, my kid could have cared less about this. He really liked them. I was the only one feeling like the story jumped around some. Either way, highly recommend for young kiddos reading on their own or still enjoying bedtime stories with a parent.
And we both LOVED the "clues" you had to figure out by reading the right sequence of words! Great for learning readers!
But look, my kid could have cared less about this. He really liked them. I was the only one feeling like the story jumped around some. Either way, highly recommend for young kiddos reading on their own or still enjoying bedtime stories with a parent.
And we both LOVED the "clues" you had to figure out by reading the right sequence of words! Great for learning readers!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews