About the Book
The third and final book in the critically acclaimed Secret Box trilogy, a series pitch-perfect for fans of humorous mystery capers like Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library and the Mysterious Benedict Society.
Who knew that insisting on opening a strange birthday present would lead to being kidnapped by an evil Greek god determined to conquer the world? Jax Malone certainly didn't. But now she's trapped in the back of a limo bound for Epimetheus's secret lair. He wants to control the three ancient urns that used to belong to Pandora's daughter. Magical urns that can suck hope, faith, and love out of the world.
Now Jax, Ethan, and Tyler's only chance to fight Epimetheus's formidable power might be to find a secret weapon--and to realize that their family ties are stronger than any magic.
About the Author :
Before becoming an author, Whitaker Ringwald was certified as World's Greatest Snowball Maker and developed a nonstick peanut butter formula in conjunction with lauded Ig Nobel scientists. Whitaker spends six months of every year in a deep sea submersible trying to film live footage of giant squids. But giant squids are hard to come by, so that's where Whitaker gets a lot of writing done.
Review :
"Mixing Greek mythology and mystery with gamer lingo and poignant coming-of-age moments, Ringwald delivers a smart balance of comedy, endearing characters, and high-stakes escapades." - Publishers Weekly on The Secret Box
"The first-person narrative alternates among the protagonists: frizzy-haired Jax, the impulsive leader; introverted Ethan, always her sidekick; and his obnoxious video game-making older brother, Tyler. The action is fast-paced and the suspense is real." - Booklist on The Secret Box
"Rich in adventure and Greek mythology, and with an ending sentiment that is thoroughly wonderful, this tale is a satisfying conclusion to the series." - Kirkus Reviews
"With video-game-like action and a surprising secret weapon, this finale satisfies." - Booklist Online
PRAISE FOR THE SECRET BOX SERIES: "Ringwald repeats her successful narrative. Twists abound, and the ending will leave readers demanding the third installment immediately. Suspense, humor and sparkling narrative voices combine to deliver an engaging adventure." - Kirkus Reviews on The Secret Cipher
"Never mind the mystery, suspense, and humor--what I loved most about The Secret Box was getting into the heads of its two unique and delightfully quirky narrators." - Christopher Healy, author of The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom on The Secret Box
"Fresh voices make this story a winner. Jax Malone is bored with her 12th birthday. Her presents are unexciting--'...nail polish, a couple of Starbucks cards. Big yawn'--and she is not even interested in a package addressed to her delivered in that day's mail. That is, until her mother whisks it away, forbidding her to open it. Jax can't stand secrets, and with the help of her shy cousin, Ethan, she finds and opens the package. It contains a mystery that Jax and Ethan need help solving, so they trick Ethan's older brother, Tyler, an obnoxious genius computer gamer, into helping. The story is told in first person, in alternating chapters by Jax and Ethan (made easy to follow by a distinct typeface for each). Jax's wry, confident voice juxtaposed against Ethan's insecure, retiring one, along with Tyler's supergeek, out-of-touch arrogance, combine to create many laugh-out-loud moments. Pursuing the mystery carries the three from their New Jersey home to Washington, D.C. Along the way, they elude a villainous couple and search for a rogue great-aunt. As they work together to solve the mystery, the cousins conquer individual fears and forge a bond with one another, learning to respect their differences. Readers will relish this sparkling adventure, which offers plenty of action, humor, age-appropriate danger and mental calisthenics." - Kirkus Reviews on The Secret Box
"Fresh voices make this story a winner. Readers will relish this sparkling adventure, which offers plenty of action, humor, age-appropriate danger and mental calisthenics." - Kirkus Reviews on The Secret Box
"This is a great read for reluctant readers or for anyone who loves adventure, mystery, or a touch of magic." - School Library Journal on The Secret Box
"When Jax's mother confiscates a package sent to Jax on her 12th birthday, Jax is determined to get it back in this charming adventure story. She enlists the help of her cousin Ethan, who is a year older and much more cautious than headstrong, impulsive Jax. He's also tired of being Jax's sidekick. The package turns out to be a mysterious box that can only be opened in one location, but Ethan is less than eager to turn detective and embark on an adventure, especially because it requires the help of his computer genius older brother, Tyler. The mystery deepens when the three learn that the box was sent by an archeologist great aunt none of them knew about, and villains are seeking the box as well. With narration shared by Jax and Ethan, and plenty of humorous moments supplied by cranky Tyler, this is a promising launch to a planned trilogy. Mixing Greek mythology and mystery with gamer lingo and poignant coming-of-age moments, Ringwald delivers a smart balance of comedy, endearing characters, and high-stakes escapades." - Publishers Weekly on The Secret Box
PRAISE FOR THE SECRET BOX SERIES: "Ringwald repeats her successful narrative structure as Jax, Ethan and Tyler each narrate chapters in their distinctive, hilarious first-person voices. Twists abound, and the ending will leave readers demanding the third installment immediately. Suspense, humor and sparkling narrative voices combine to deliver an engaging adventure." - Kirkus Reviews on The Secret Cipher
"Combining video gaming, modern technology, and the current interest in Greek mythology with the premise that these young people must save the world, this series has multiple attractions. Readers will wait eagerly for the third volume to see what the three do with the Urn of Faith." - Booklist on The Secret Cipher
"This mystery will blow your mind!" - Dan Gutman, New York Times bestselling author of the Genius Files series on The Secret Box
