January 1, 2023
A long-lost treasure eludes the grasp of a determined adventure seeker. Fifth grader Graysen Foxx is on the hunt for the trove of Principal Redbeard. The rumored collection of confiscated toys, comic books, trading cards, and old-school gaming devices has been lost to the ages, but Graysen, who reads White, is determined to uncover its location. Unfortunately, his nemesis, Raven Ransom, a redheaded fellow fifth grader, hopes to find the treasure for herself and will stop at nothing to claim it. Graysen is ready for action, feats of derring-do, and the occasional brain teasing puzzle. With third grade twins Maya and Jack Delgado as his allies, The Gray Fox is on the hunt, with Red Raven, her Second Grade Spy Network, and ruthless sixth graders looking at every turn. The riff on Indiana Jones and Uncharted for the middle-grade set works well enough, peppered as it is with effusive verbiage that will get pulses going right from the start. The problem comes when the novel needs to keep up that pace: The high stakes and rollicking action get a bit cumbersome when breathlessly and repeatedly recounted at the same pitch. The modulation is off a bit, making the novel feel too long. Still, Graysen is an engaging protagonist, and his world is charming enough that readers will likely stick with it. Names signal ethnic diversity in the supporting cast. Final art not seen. A strong premise let down by its execution. (Adventure. 8-12)
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March 17, 2023
Gr 3-5-Treasure seeker Graysen Foxx is on the cusp of his greatest find: a laminated hall pass that will provide students in need with unlimited access to their elementary school. When his plan is foiled by his archnemesis the Red Raven, Graysen is stuck in detention. With gentle prodding from his classroom teacher and detention warden, he stumbles on to the discovery of the ages, that the fabled treasure of Principal Redbeard is real! With the help of two resourceful third grade assistants and an army of first grade soldiers, Graysen dodges a wily sixth grade mafia boss, the cranky janitorial cat, and a sneaky group of second grade spies as he tracks down the greatest fortune of all. With an overemphasis on heavy-handed social-emotional lessons and underdeveloped characters, this high-octane adventure falls flat. Stilted and unnatural dialogue makes the characters feel more like plot and theme devices instead of relatable, authentic individuals. Riddled with awkward similes, such as "the school clocks were as unreliable as a potty-training three-year-old," and a storyline that is too far-fetched to be believable, this plot-heavy adventure will find a limited readership. VERDICT Not recommended for purchase.-Louie Lauer
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