Mystery of the Maya (Choose Your Own Adventure #5)

The Choose Your Own Adventure series offered an option every few pages to choose how the story would continue. According to your preference, you would follow its instructions by turning to the appropriate page of the book as indicated by your choice. This was a popular and revolutionary idea when the series was first launched in the early 1980s, driving it to incredible sales levels for many years until it was overshadowed by variants on the idea that took the concept to more elaborate lengths (e.g. Fighting Fantasy) and especially by other interactive media.

The plot: of course it always centres on the Maya, but the stories vary. Mostly they can be categorized as either interesting discoveries in the modern era or hair-raising time show more travel adventures in the Mayan era.

Observations: there's a pretty decent mix here between learning actual facts about the Maya and exploring all the "what ifs" and unknowns about their society. No crystal skulls here, but you do get some aliens.

Personal memories: one of my all-time favourite entries in the series. The illustrations by Richard Anderson are also some of my favourites, such a unique and fascinating style. show less

In the Mystery of the Maya you are given the task of finding your friend Tom who disappeared in Mexico while on assignment. The beginning of the book includes the warning that “you and YOU ALONE are in charge of what happens in this story”. As part of the Choose Your Own Adventures serial, you decide which direction the story will take. The story speaks to you directly as it explains your mission as well as some clues to find your friend who has gone missing. After every few pages, it asks you to make a choice; for example, if choose to “stay in Kuba, turn to page 19” or “go to Cozumel, turn to page 31”. Depending on the route you take, you could end a great Mayan ruler, onto a new clue, a human sacrifice or victorious in show more finding your friend Tom. If you don’t like your ending, you can just start over or back track to your last page of clues. Black and white pencil sketches are intermixed with the text and complement the story. The small format and “short stories” make it easy to pick up or put down with ease. Upper elementary or middle school would be the best fit for these adventures. show less

Very frequent choices. Fun and immersive.

3010889