http://hollybooknotes.blogspot.com/20... ( )

Think "The DaVinci Code" for middle school readers and you'll have a pretty good idea of how this novel works. However, unlike "DaVinci Code" or "National Treasure," you won't have to be well versed in the arcana of cryptography, art history and the Catholic Church to enjoy it. All you need is a mind that takes pleasure in logic puzzles and Encyclopedia Brown. Lots of fun.

This book was a lot of fun to read. The puzzles really helped to build suspense and keep you interested. IT will be a great selection for the book club. ( )

I picked this up because I'm reading to 5th graders at a local school. I wanted to read them something GOOD, and this story has a lot of puzzles to do along the way. I'm not sure if it has enough read-aloud zazz, but I'll read it through.

Fans of Blue Balliett's work will be equally pleased with Berlin's. Winston Breen is a puzzle enthusiast. He looks for puzzles everything and loves nothing more than solving a good riddle. For his sister's birthday, he buys her a pretty box not realizing that it will lead him on the greatest puzzle quest he has ever had. When Katie opens the box and discovers a fake bottom with pieces to a puzzle in side, Winston knows they are onto something big. Along with Katie and Winston, soon the town librarian, two treasure seekers, an ex-cop, and a reporter are on the case so to speak of a treasure. Winston is really only in it for the puzzles and, almost too late, discovers that others have much more nefarious reasons for wanting to find it. This book is chock full of great mind teasers that will have you twisting your brain in new and fun ways.