13 reviews for:

Hide and Seek

Kate Messner

3.89 AVERAGE

kaseybjohn's review

4.0

3.5. Great kids book

static97's review

3.0

I think this book was better than the first one, I definitely would have enjoyed these books in elementary and middle school!
andeaclark's profile picture

andeaclark's review

4.0

Another thrilling story by Messner. Good adventure with some interesting science tidbits as well. Quick read.

mlhahn's review

3.0

I liked it, but not nearly as much as the first book. I can't wait to hear what my students think of it!

#holidaybookaday 1
crystalreading's profile picture

crystalreading's review

5.0

I liked this one even more than the first. I think the setting was what did it for me. I loved being transported to the rain forest and seeing it through the eyes of children. I am more determined than ever to try a zip-line through the rain forest now.

The mystery was a challenge and had plenty of action. I don't tend to read mysteries that often, but am very glad that I was able to snag this one on Netgalley.

Review from my blog: http://readingtl.blogspot.com/2013/03/review-hide-and-seek.html

Kate Messner has delivered another action-filled and intriguing mystery for her fans. José, Anna and Henry find plenty of danger and excitement as they help the Silver Jaguar Society try to find the missing Jaguar Cup. In this installment, readers are treated to unusual animals like the glass frogs and bullet ants as the young investigators tromp through the Costa Rican jungle. She also provided a cave excursion. The walls have glowing crystal formations and it all sounds quite amazing.

In addition to a colorful and lush setting, Messner has just the right balance of suspense, humor and action throughout the book. There are chases through the jungle, snot frogs, a zip line, a "swinging bridge of death" and many other bits of fun to bring a chuckle and a smile to the faces of readers. For the mystery lovers, there is plenty to puzzle out and try to solve as the junior Silver Jaguars work to recover the cup and keep each other safe. There are also a few other threads of the story to untangle since the friends are keeping a few secrets from each other. Of course this leads to some difficulties between the friends, but that adds to the believability as they fuss at each other on occasion. What is a bit harder to believe is that their parents are once again not really in the picture during the story, but that isn't terribly distracting. So much is going on that it is just a blip.

Hide and Seek has much going for it and with the wonderful sense of place that Messner has created, this book surpasses the first in my eyes. Hide and Seek will be a welcome addition to any library.

Extras:
Hide and Seek Resources Pinterest Board
Costa Rica Wildlife

angiebayne's review

3.0

Anna, Henry and Jose are back for another adventure. This time they are headed to Costa Rica to find the legendary Jaguar Cup. The cup was supposed to be on display in Washington, DC, but a fake was in its place. Turns out the cup has been stolen and it is up to the Jaguar Society to find it. The kids are once again on their own with their parents stuck in San Jose. And once again the culprits are right under their noses. It is a race through the jungle with deadly snakes, bullet ants, swinging rope bridges and zip lines. It is a fast paced adventure mystery with lots of twists and turns.

I think Kate Messner writes great mysteries that kids will really enjoy. Anna, Henry and Jose are all smart and creative thinkers. I really liked Sofia and the knowledge of the jungle she brought to the book. I was glad this one didn't rely as heavily on the stereotypes as the first one. Anna isn't in junior investigative reporter mode the entire time and Jose's nose isn't always stuck in a book. Henry however is still the same video game obsessed kid he was in Capture the Flag. I think once Messner gets him totally fleshed out this series will really take off.
gentlyflourishing's profile picture

gentlyflourishing's review

4.0

Rating - 4.5 stars

Messner didn't disappoint. This second book in the series was very well written! I love how there were some Historical things implemented throughout the story, but it didn't take away from the story; it had a purpose. I also loved the suspense. There were so many times where I was worried that the characters would get out safely. I love it when that happens while reading a book!

But the middle of the book was a bit slow as the focus was on José since he was upset at his friends. Nevertheless, that didn't stop me from reading. xD And I will also mention that I dislike the first chapter of the book; it was an initiation of someone just accepted into the Silver Jaguar Society long ago. It was a little creepy because when she drank from the trophy, she "felt her ancestors reside in her" (paraphrase). Thankfully, that chapter was short and no mention of that appeared again.

All in all, this was a great book and I definitely want to read the third and final book!

gbliss's review

2.0

A little better than the first, but some of the same irritating flaws. Once again, soooo many run, run, chase, chase, run, run, chase, chase scenes that could be interesting in a TV show, but in this book just become tedious and soooooooo confusing. Maybe include a map next time.
crystal_reading's profile picture

crystal_reading's review

5.0

I liked this one even more than the first. I think the setting was what did it for me. I loved being transported to the rain forest and seeing it through the eyes of children. I am more determined than ever to try a zip-line through the rain forest now.

The mystery was a challenge and had plenty of action. I don't tend to read mysteries that often, but am very glad that I was able to snag this one on Netgalley.

Review from my blog: http://readingtl.blogspot.com/2013/03/review-hide-and-seek.html

Kate Messner has delivered another action-filled and intriguing mystery for her fans. José, Anna and Henry find plenty of danger and excitement as they help the Silver Jaguar Society try to find the missing Jaguar Cup. In this installment, readers are treated to unusual animals like the glass frogs and bullet ants as the young investigators tromp through the Costa Rican jungle. She also provided a cave excursion. The walls have glowing crystal formations and it all sounds quite amazing.

In addition to a colorful and lush setting, Messner has just the right balance of suspense, humor and action throughout the book. There are chases through the jungle, snot frogs, a zip line, a "swinging bridge of death" and many other bits of fun to bring a chuckle and a smile to the faces of readers. For the mystery lovers, there is plenty to puzzle out and try to solve as the junior Silver Jaguars work to recover the cup and keep each other safe. There are also a few other threads of the story to untangle since the friends are keeping a few secrets from each other. Of course this leads to some difficulties between the friends, but that adds to the believability as they fuss at each other on occasion. What is a bit harder to believe is that their parents are once again not really in the picture during the story, but that isn't terribly distracting. So much is going on that it is just a blip.

Hide and Seek has much going for it and with the wonderful sense of place that Messner has created, this book surpasses the first in my eyes. Hide and Seek will be a welcome addition to any library.

Extras:
Hide and Seek Resources Pinterest Board
Costa Rica Wildlife

froggylibrarian1's review

4.0

This is the sequel to Capture the Flag and it was another fun romp with Jose, Anna, and Henry. This time they are searching for the Jaguar Cup in Costa Rica. But, their nemesis, Goosen wants it too. Kids will enjoy this book because it has a lot of action. I enjoyed the evidence of her on the site research with details about the rainforest and the animals. I especially like the ziplining :)