Each step gets him closer to greatness . . . or disaster.
Lauer Middle School has a super-secret society—The Legend. No one knows who is in it. Or how they pull off the spectacular school-wide events. Seventh grader Travis Raines may be about to find out. A mysterious message appears in his locker. You have been chosen, it says. And it gives him a mind-bending puzzle to solve and a challenge. Travis could become legendary. If he completes all the tasks—and stays out of trouble. The assistant principal has her eye on him. So do his parents. And Travis isn’t very good at staying out of trouble.
And then there’s the biggest puzzle of all: What if the messages aren’t from The Legend? Is someone trying to take Travis down?
Jody Feldman never knew she always wanted to be a writer when she grew up. If you’d cornered her as a kid, she’d have mentioned doctor or teacher, but that was just an answer. Her passions ran more toward treasure hunter, codebreaker, movie director, or inventor, but her practical side couldn’t imagine how to get there.
Her path to writing meandered through the University of Missouri School of Journalism and a short career in advertising. She wrote a lot about shoes. And then a lot more.
Jody’s first children’s novel, The Gollywhopper Games received the 2011 Georgia Children's Book Award and the 2011 Grand Canyon Readers Award, and found its place on many other state lists. It also received the Kids Wings Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature and the 2008 Midwest Booksellers Choice Awards Honor for Children’s Literature. Her second, The Seventh Level (both books from HarperCollins/Greenwillow) debuted on the Summer 2010 Indie Next List and received the 2011 Missouri Writers Guild Show Me Best Book Award. Upcoming, thanks to popular demand, two follow-ups to The Gollywhopper Games.
A lifelong resident of St. Louis, Jody likes to travel, cook, watch football, and solve crossword-type puzzles. And she loves knowing she can explore any dream, career or adventure with the characters in her books.
This book stinks! It is ridiculous and stupid. 1. The main character has no brain. In a puzzle that took me about five seconds it took two days for him to solve it. 2. He breaks every rule ever. WHY??? Is there a reason that Travis heard a rule and immediately forgot it? For instance: He was grounded, and his mom said that he wasn't allowed to use the phone. SO WHAT DOES HE IMMEDIATELY DO? Call his friend! Which, by the way, Travis didn't trust at all. That brings me to 3. Travis was SUPER paranoid when it came to his friends (Kip and Matti). They were useless anyways, but he acted like he was three! When Matti (a girl) bumped into Kip (a boy), TRAVIS THOUGHT THEY WERE DATING! 4. Travis thinks that even though he and his friends are in SEVENTH GRADE, Matti and Kip are dating. NO ONE DOES THAT! It's just plain WEIRD! 5. He was really touchy. When someone said, "Oh, looks like ____ pulled a Travis", the silly weirdo started whining and saying stuff like, "My name has become synonymous with stupid." So what? There are jerks in middle school (and you might be one of them). 6. It's like Travis TRIES to die. "Oh, my friend's cap just went on a roof, better go climbing for it. Because, you know, I totally won't break my neck and/or die." The book would have been so much better if Travis had fallen off, broken his leg, and stayed in the hospital for the rest of this junk they call The Seventh Level. 7. The Legend is basically a cult! It's so sketchy and creepy there is no way that anyone in his right mind would want to join! To the founders of The Legend: "SOMETIMES TEACHERS LEAVE! MY TEACHER WILL LEAVE. I'M SAD. BUT I'M NOT PULLING PRANKS ON THE SCHOOL. SO DEAL WITH IT." Coming back to the no-sane-person-would-ever-want-to-join: Travis is obviously mentally dangerous if he's excited that he's been chosen. 8. The anti-Legend STINKS! I mean, trying to stop a blue-crazy cult from taking over the school is good, but seriously? Graffiti markers? That's so STUPID! And you know what? Let's add some soap and some syrup together and try and RUIN THE FLOOR while we're at it! Because, you know, doing that will TOTALLY make The Legend seem bad. TOTALLY. 9. Did I mention the word choice? Instead of saying JERK or WEIRDO or PERSON WHO'S INCONSIDERATE, all of the people at the school were "oafs". Wow, Travis, just WOW. 10. The story just dragged On and ON and ON! In a 304-page book, 150 must have been in this cycle: 'Look a blue envelope! Hmm... I don't get this puzzle. "Travis Raines, please report to Mrs. Pinchon's room." Oh no, someone did something bad. *in a whiny voice* It wasn't me, Mrs. Pinchon! Ohhhh... that's what the puzzle means! Now I'll show that I get the puzzle. Grrr... Matti and Kip must be dating!' Repeat. 11. I didn't like a single character in the book. They all had such crazy and ridiculous flaws (I swear they exaggerated their flaws on purpose!), I felt like sitting them all down and giving those "oafs", as Travis would say, a lecture called How to Actually Be Normal, Not Ruin Someone's Life, and Not Be Stupid. 12. I hate the book so much that even though this is just a review on the book, not the actual thing, I am annoyed by anything related to the STUPID BOOK! I even hate this review! It could be SOOO much better if it were on Seventh Son or The City of Ember, but nooo, it had to be on THIS STUPID BOOK! 13. There are so many books called Seventh Level, but you had to choose THIS NAME for the book! Wow. 14. I sometimes love Mrs. Feldman's books, like the Gollywhopper Games, but this book was an all-time low for this author. So there you have it, folks. My review. If I could give it 0 stars, I would in a heartbeat. But Goodreads won't allow me. When you keep your cursor on the 1-star thingamabobber, these words pop up: "did not like it". Try it! It's true! Goodreads should change it to "STUPID BOOK, YOU STINK!"
Are you seriously still reading this? Good for you!
But I must leave. I've used up even more characters than last time. I am probably ranting.
So,
Adios! Adio, wli nanawalmezi! Wlibamkanni! Shalom! Giga-waabamin! Au revoir! Goodbye! And my personal favorite, straight from the trolls of Blundermeecen: I promise to always turn back towards you.
"Each step gets him closer to greatness . . . or disaster." The quote from THE SEVENTH LEVEL by Jody Feldman basically sums up a seventh grader, Travis Raines, who always seems to be in the midst of trouble. But if he wants to be the school soccer team captain and stay out of detention, he will have to ease up on the trouble making. Easy enough... until a mysterious blue envelope appears in his locker. It could be the Legend, a secret school club, or someone trying to get him in more trouble. When he decides to follow the instructions, he finds himself closer to the truth about the all famous Legend than ever... but at what cost? The story, taking place at Lauer Middle School and being told by Travis, has you on your toes until the very end.
One thing I really like about this book is that it is set in realistic fiction helping you relate to Travis and his struggles throughout the novel. It is also relatively new being copyrighted in 2010 allowing a even better understanding of the plot. The characters of this story really bring it together. It follows Travis and his two friends Matti and Kip and the insidious school bully Randall. As the plot moves forward it unfolds into Travis' group versus Randall and his. But when Travis gets a mysterious blue envelope, he is turned to hiding things from his friends and telling lies. You see, the Legend is very secretive and many rules have be followed.. including keeping things from his friends. As he sets on down the Legend path he learns many truths about Randall and learns that his friends might just know a little more than he thinks they do.
As he gets more and more envelopes, the challenges seem to be less school appropriate. The book is designed for puzzle solvers. The Legend test are all puzzles and the constant change in them keeps you thinking. Travis has so much conflict going on its hard to keep track. His internal conflict is should he trust that the envelopes are actually from the Legend. As the story goes on he seems to believe they aren't from the Legend more and more. The external conflict is obviously Randall who is always a threat and might tie in with the mysterious new envelopes. This creates an ever changing antagonist versus protagonist plot.
Although I really liked this book, there are a few arguable points within it. Some people might say it is a kiddy book and it's all puzzles and games. I believe that it is very mature and even gets into crime. I find it crazy how something like a school club could lead to a scene from a Sherlock Holmes book. Another reason someone could be ambiguous of whether or not to read it is they might think it is boring. However the book is a never-ending puzzle and has many clever twists of the plot. When jealous kids get involved with a private school club, its definitely not boring but more action packed and surprising.
Overall, the small problems of this story don't amount to anything. THE SEVENTH LEVEL is a great book for creative thinkers and mystery readers. It is also a good read for people who can relate to characters and a good antagonist. Jody Feldman has many other great books and I hope to read more of them. I strongly exhort you to learn more about this book and even read it yourself!
Travis Raines is a seventh grader used to finding himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Then he starts getting mysterious invitations promising to initiate him into his school's secret society, The Legend. This could be his chance for greatness, if he can keep the secret and crack the codes. Both prove easier said than done when a wave of vandalism strikes the school and his goofball reputation presents him as the likely suspect. He just night become Legendary, but he'll have to avoid getting expelled first.
Slightly awkward start, but it picks up speed quickly. Travis is very likeable, the codes were fun, and there's good tension. It was also refreshing to have a book where there were (living), functional parents for a change and adults who are more than caricatures or mustache-twirling meanies. There's some messaging about reputation and rumor which isn't exactly subtle but it works well overall. Definitely a fun read. It's a solid school (and comedic caper?) story and I could see it doing well with Dan Gutman, Jack Gantos, Jennifer Holm, and Jarrett Krosoczka fans.
Travis Raines always seems to be getting in trouble. But as his principal keeps saying: 'Things are not always as they appear'. Travis wants to join the Legend, a secret group at his middle school that plans events and surprises for the students. He has started getting blue envelopes giving him directions, tests and trials that will get him into this group. But he is receiving two different types of envelopes - bright shiny ones and plain ones. One set seems to keep getting him in trouble. He is not supposed to tell anybody about the envelopes. As his life gets more and more complicated trying to follow the instructions in the letters, he must learn who to trust, even if it is someone he least expected.
Well-written, this book has a fast pace, and as the excitement builds, you cannot put the book down. Travis is a great lead character. He will either remind you of yourself or someone you know. The details focus on life in and around middle school.
I cannot suspend disbelief about the premise & plot, but all the characters feel very real to me, and I like them. I also had fun with the puzzles. Not quite as good as the Gollywhopper trillogy, but still worth four stars for being engaging, and for showing how all kids have their strengths, even the troublemakers.
Good book for a children's discussion group, too. One question I'd ask is, Do you think if Travis' dad were around more, Travis would be more well-behaved, and better at impulse control?
This book was one of my favorite books that I have ever read in my life. The reasons why is because of how it made the whole story interesting. Like, there is some kind of sense to the strory, and it is very hilarious of how the main character became to addicted to joining a certain group. But, this strory was the best.
Fun read that also carries a powerful message. To belong to the special middle school group, The Legend, isn't based on popularity nor super intelligence. As one of its members stated, "You are all unique, yet you all possess each of our seven qualities--intelligence, creativity, kindness, ingenuity, leadership, spirit, and energy. You are made of the stuff of The Legend."
So glad this one is over is about all I have to say. There are so many other puzzle-type books out there that are better. It's not a terrible effort, but this was just pretty weak as a story to engage us and excite us. It was fun to succeed at solving the (pretty easy) puzzles though- I will grant that (although our ease also just made the character look utterly dumb).
The author of this book also wrote The Gollywhopper Games. This book seemed to me like a worse version of that.
Travis Raines doesn't try to get in trouble, it just finds him. And he found a ton of trouble when a blue envelope appears in his locker, telling him that he could be part of the Legend. Legend is the secret society on his campus that puts on amazing events, and everyone wants to be part of it. All Travis has to do is solve seven puzzles and not get caught. Sounds easy, right. (I attempted to write this in the style of the book)
I liked the premise of a secret society behind the school, and also solving puzzles. I loved the 39 Clues for this reason, and I really liked that aspect of this book. I also like how Travis changes through the book, losing his enemy, and getting to like the principal more.
Travis was described as a good kid who just gets blamed for things, but he actually did do bad things. His parents told him he was grounded and to not use the phone or leave the house and the next thing he does is use the phone and leave the house.
Parts of the book were slow because the puzzles that took me a minute took him days to solve. I know it is targeted at 5th-6th graders, but still, they are described as "mind-bending on the inside flap, and they were not.
I found the ending to also be strange, because so many things were described at once, it was hard to figure out what was going on, but once I figured it out, I enjoyed it.
I wouldn't recommend this book unless you really like puzzle books, and even then, if you thought this sounded interesting, I recommend The Gollywhopper Games instead.
The Seventh Level is a book about Travis Raines, a seventh grader at Lauer middle school, and how he had to fulfill many tasks in order to get into a secret club at his school called the Legend. Travis almost always gets in trouble, but he doesn't mean to. He sometimes gets in trouble for things he didn't do, but he never rats anyone out and always accepts the punishment. This is why he gets into this secret club at his school called The Legend. The Legend sends him blue envelopes with puzzles and tasks inside of them. Travis has to complete these tasks and puzzles in order to be accepted in The Legend. But Travis realizes he's been getting two different types of envelopes. One from The Legend and one from these bullies at his school who want to ruin The Legend. When he understands what's been happening, Travis teams up with his two enemies (a bully and the principal) two bust the "fake envelope senders" and save them all from getting in trouble. In the end, it all works out for Travis, who gets into The Legend and has the time of his life. I really enjoyed this book! As I was reading, I tried to solve the puzzles before Travis could and would put myself in his shoes trying to figure out mysteries and obstacles in his way to victory. Travis was a great character because he was modest and not perfect, yet he always tried his best. He seemed like someone I could relate to. The only problem I had with this book was that the beginning was a little slow. I almost abandoned it, but I'm glad I didn't! The action picked up in the middle as well as the mystery. All in all, this was a really nice book!!! I'm glad to have read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The Seventh Level is about a boy named Travis who’s been getting weird blue envelopes from the” Legend” . In the’s letters they say the craziest dares and know one is aloud to see it or hear it. The “Legend” is a group of kids who’ve been sending Travis and other kids the notes that challenge them to do bad things for good reasons.The kids do bad things for example spray paint a poster on the side of the school, just to be in the “Legend.” The main characters are Travis (dare devil), Randall (bully) but remember things aren’t always as they appear, Mrs. Pinchon (principal of discipline). When I was reading the book I felt like I was on the tip of my toes at the end of a cliff, saying what is he going to do? What is the legend going to tell Travis to do next? A person who likes almost mysteries, taking dares, bigger books and fun things would like this book! The theme of this book was things aren’t always as they appear and don’t always do what people say because that will get you into trouble– Even if the prize at the other end because that prize might be a big fluke! This book was a pretty good book, but there are some things I’d change like… Travis not doing any of the dares at all because he had to almost be kicked off the baseball team and soccer team. I rate this book a 6 out of 10! If you read this book make sure you read it all the way until the end because… “things aren’t always as they appear!”
It’s a book that involves puzzles and the solving of puzzles! I love books like this! That’s why I read The 39 Clues and Brian Jacque’s Redwall series-—because of the riddles/puzzles/clues. Books that involve heists, capers, and puzzles are some of my favorite books to read because they’re so fun (Gordon Korman writes some good heists; check out Swindle). And The Seventh Level is very fun. It has some very funny lines, it has some complicated and not-so-complicated puzzles, it has plot and conflict and little mysteries. And Travis is an adorable protagonist, even though saying that makes me feel about one hundred years old. He’s cute! What can I say? He’s like a nine-year-old on a sugar rush with a thirteen-year-old’s intelligence. He’s one of those troublemaker types who never does anything to hurt other people and only hurts himself by doing crazy things (like climbing down the school wall from the roof to get a cap) and you can’t help but root for him. Because he’s adorable.
My one problem with the book as a whole is that the Legend just seems very…unrealistic. I would love to know if any middle school anywhere has a group like that.
Overall, The Seventh Level, while not being perhaps the greatest plot-wise, writing-wise, or in general, is still a fun book that involves puzzle solving and shenanigans. You’ll definitely have fun while reading it, even if it doesn’t contain some sort of deep meaning or message.
In the story the seventh level, the main character is Travis. Travis. Travis is a 7th Grader and one day he mysteriously gets a blue envelope. The letter said that he should do tricky challenges that would make him a problems with the principal. Behind the envelope, Travis should complete the puzzle that he found and he could get the clues and codes of the letter. When he had solved the mysterious code he had been part of the society and he is part of the group The Legends.
I think my friends would like to read this book because first of all the book had action. The main character is a seventh grader like our age. I liked the part when Travis got the letter. I liked it because it was very suspenseful when the character was opening the envelope and wanted the reader wanted to know whats in the letter. I would call the book "The Blue Envelope" because in the main picture of the book, Travis is running with the envelope and it makes the story suspenseful because the envelope changed his life.
I would recommend this book to high level 5th grade to 8th grade. I would recommend it to this type of age because if 9th-12th graders read this book it would be too easy for them. I wold recommend it too to people who like suspenseful and mysterious stories. There is a little bit of action and certainly suspense. Certainly the seven graders should read this book but just boys. This book is not really recommended for girls because this story is more boy style then girl.
What could have been a great book misses the mark by distracting the reader with unimportant things. "The seventh level" refers to a secret,mysterious group in school that issues challenges to lucky candidates through a series of blue envelopes containing mind-bending puzzles. Other authors have incorporated mathematical puzzles into their stories more successfully than Ms. Feldman does and for this reason feel that it won't hold the reader's interest. For example, the protagonist Travis Raines is a recipient of the envelopes which presents puzzles for the reader to solve along with him, is blamed for a series of vandalism incidents at school, is unnerved by what he suspects is a growing secret relationship between his friends Kip and Matti, and..and..and! One strength is that the reader will be surprised by the true culprits but the real message which is very important isn't revealed to the end and weakened by all of the other distractions.
Travis Raines seems to always be in trouble. Even when trying to do the right thing he gets into trouble. One thing he wants more than anything else, is to be part of "The Legend", a secret group in school that plans cool surprises for the students. When he finds a blue envelop in his locker he is excited. He is sure he is being tested for the secret society. He must complete puzzles, tests, and do it all without getting into trouble or without letting anyone know. He gets a plain blue envelope and a shiny blue envelope. It seems that following the instructions in one always lands him in trouble. He needs to figure out who to trust in this situation. I laughed at his ability to get into trouble even while trying to do the right thing because I've seen my fair share of students like Travis. They don't look for trouble, it just seems to follow them around.
Jody Feldman is awesome! I just discovered her books this summer with the Gollywhopper Games and now she is 2 for 2.
There are exactly 2 things about this book I did not like:
1. The cover is a little bleh. Hope they juice it for the softcover...
2. On page 1-2, I initially thought the protagonist was younger oddly enough due to a hotwheels reference...
Yeah enough nitpicks... this one had me reading from start to finish, and I loved the concept, the puzzles, the characters and the ending... I'll admit I was taken in by a couple things...
It was also nice to see a sympathetic member of administration, as too often in books like this they are vilified... and I liked the birth of the group... so many things... the mom... it was just a good solid read...
I thought this was horrible. My 12y-o son liked it. But it's my review, so I give it my stars. I just thought I'd mention his assessment so someone doesn't despair if her child brings this home to read.
The story was needlessly complicated. Too many red herrings and pointless plot twists come up. A theme is "things aren't always as they appear," but the author gives us evidence supporting one assessment, then tells us to disregard it later. I lost patience with it.
The plot was contrived, too. A secret middle school group condoned? organized? supported? tolerated? by the school administration? Kids sworn to secrecy even from their parents and teachers? Nope.
This is the story of a kid who is always in the wrong place at the wrong time. His enthusiasm constantly gets him in trouble. But maybe, just maybe, the kids who run a super secret contest at school are watching him and think he's worthy of being a part of their elite squad. He is put through the paces throughout the book, doing crazy stunts...and begins to wonder if it's all a trick. This is a fairly easy and enjoyable story and has some pretty realistic and sympathetic characters, both kid and adult, but it isn't really anything special.
Some people consider seventh grader Travis Raines a troublemaker, but really, he's a good kid with a good heart and a knack for getting himself in complicated situations. Middle grade readers will enjoy Travis' voice, personality, friendships, and the idea of a secret society called The Legend. Mysterious notes appear in Travis' locker, her has to solve all kinds of brain puzzles, and figure out which clues lead to the Legend, and which will only get him in more trouble.
Feldman is a master at making up puzzles that will fascinate readers. and Travis is an engaging character.
Puzzling clues. Secret society. Unknown adversaries. This book struck me as a "DaVinci Code" for middle grade (minus the psychotic religious aspect). That is, unless you hated Davinci Code--in that case this book bears no resemblance whatsoever.
For some reason I thought it was going to be science fiction but it is realistic thru and thru. Mystery might be a more appropriate label.
This book has a strong voice and a compelling plot.
I'm a big fan of Jody Feldman's first book, The Gollywhopper Games. This one is along the same lines - puzzles, games, and young people haivng to deal with adversity. This one felt a little more forced, though, and wasn't nearly as great. Not to say it was bad, just not up to the same standard. Regardless, there is something to be said about a book about a middle school secret society, and that makes it fun enough.
My first ever Nookbook. I had higher hopes for this book and was disappointed by it since I enjoyed The Gollywhopper Games so much but this one just wasn't my kind of book. It was slow and slightly dull for most of it. I don't know what happened to Jody Feldman's writing but it has taken a major turn for the worst. It had puzzles similar to the Gollywhopper Games but it just wasn't as exciting. It picked up in the end though and got slightly better.
This book has been compared to The Mysterious Benedict Socity series (of which I've become a big fan) but The Seventh Level isn't anywhere NEAR as exciting and adventure filled as MBS. It was too slow and the Legend started to sound more like a cult than an service project group. The 'initiation" with robed figures got a little creepy and I wondered the whole time why these students weren't allowed to inform their parents of what was going on (wouldn't that be a red flag to a normal parent?).
I enjoy this style of children's book with built in puzzles for the reader to solve. They make the reader feel involved in the story and it can keep the story moving by always having another puzzle to solve. Although many of the situations in this story aren't really believable, this would certainly have been a book I would have enjoyed in elementary school. Travis is Every Boy and you easily root for him. There isn't anything groundbreaking here, but it is a fun story that moves along quickly.
Fun book that will make a great choice to offer for boys (girls, too!). Mysterious clues from a secret school society offer a boy who is known as a trouble-maker a chance to prove himself -- and make unexpected friendships. Librarians, teachers, parents will especially love the puzzle-solving and anti-bully message in this humorous middle-grade novel. CHECK IT OUT!
What I like: the puzzles, and the main character, a boy with good intentions who has trouble controlling his impulses. What I don't like: the concept of a secret society, even one that does good deeds, that you can join only by invitation. I actually sympathized with the frustration of the bullies, who feel left out. I would, too.
I liked Gollywhopper Games better. This one, about a seventh grader's trying desperately to earn a place in the top-secret middle school positive prank club 'The Legend' never hooked me because I found the premise alternately confusing and unbelievable. Still, I like the puzzle element and suspect some kids will also 13 and perhaps they'll better be able to suspend their disbelief.
A fun book about a middle school secret society and the lengths one seventh grader will go to to get in the coolest club in school. Can he figure out their puzzles? And, as he gets into more and more trouble, does he still want to?