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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 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
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 :)
heisereads's review
4.0
I absolutely love Kate Messner's books and writing style! They're intelligent and descriptive with realistic characters and interesting plots, and written really well for a younger middle grades audience. HIDE AND SEEK is a satisfying sequel to CAPTURE THE FLAG; although I'm not sure I actually want to visit a rainforest myself anymore - there are some creepy creatures. I hope there are many more books to come in this series of mysteries, heists, and secret societies.
yapha's review
4.0
The junior members of the Silver Jaguar Society are back again! This time, a precious gold cup that can trace its origins to the beginning of the Silver Jaguar Society has gone missing. Jose, Anna, and Henry are off to Costa Rica with their guardians to figure out who stole it and return it to their rightful place. The lush setting of the Costa Rican rainforest is perfect for their many adventures, as they try to figure out whom they can trust and who is not exactly whom they seen to be. You do not have to have read Capture the Flag first, but you will want to after this! Recommended for grades 4-7.
mrskatiefitz's review against another edition
4.0
At a ceremony honoring them for their role in saving the original American flag from thieves, junior Silver Jaguar Society members Anna, Henry, and Jose learn that another valuable artifact is missing. The Jaguar Cup, an important piece of Jaguar Society history, has been replaced with a counterfeit. The senior members of the Society must head immediately to Costa Rica to investigate. Their parents want to keep them safe, so the three kids are left with a society member named Michael and his daughter, Sofia, but that doesn't stop them from gathering evidence. When the senior members of the society are stranded due to an earthquake, and suspicious people start appearing at Michael's lodge, the kids find themselves in serious danger, as the thieves do their best to get away with what they've done.
Though this book seems like a mystery at first, I think it's better to think of it as an adventure novel. The kids do spend some time gathering clues and analyzing evidence, but the truly exciting parts of the story have them running around the rainforest in the dark, accidentally petting giant spiders and wielding machetes at poisonous snakes. There is some character development, particularly involving Jose's role as the "smart kid" of the group, but the plot is the main focus. The story is action-packed, filled with moments of triumph and exhilaration, as well as frustration and defeat. Readers have the chance to learn about the culture and climate of Costa Rica while also watching with their hearts in their mouths as the cup slips out of the kids' reach again and again.
When I was a kid, I used to imagine all the heroic things I would attempt to do if I were ever kidnapped or chased by an evil criminal mastermind. I suspect these kind of ridiculous scenarios are common in the imaginations of a lot of kids, and this book taps into those thoughts. Jose, Anna, and Henry have unlikely experiences, but I can't imagine a child who wouldn't enjoy living vicariously through them. Everything that happens to them - even the scary things - seems like it would be very exciting!
The story has a fast pace and straightforward writing, making it a quick, enjoyable read for even the most reluctant of readers. Reading the first book is not required to follow the story, so Hide and Seek would even work as a classroom aloud for fourth or fifth graders. Hide and Seek is a perfect choice for kids who like The Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys, and for readers who enjoyed Madhattan Mystery and Chasing Vermeer.
Though this book seems like a mystery at first, I think it's better to think of it as an adventure novel. The kids do spend some time gathering clues and analyzing evidence, but the truly exciting parts of the story have them running around the rainforest in the dark, accidentally petting giant spiders and wielding machetes at poisonous snakes. There is some character development, particularly involving Jose's role as the "smart kid" of the group, but the plot is the main focus. The story is action-packed, filled with moments of triumph and exhilaration, as well as frustration and defeat. Readers have the chance to learn about the culture and climate of Costa Rica while also watching with their hearts in their mouths as the cup slips out of the kids' reach again and again.
When I was a kid, I used to imagine all the heroic things I would attempt to do if I were ever kidnapped or chased by an evil criminal mastermind. I suspect these kind of ridiculous scenarios are common in the imaginations of a lot of kids, and this book taps into those thoughts. Jose, Anna, and Henry have unlikely experiences, but I can't imagine a child who wouldn't enjoy living vicariously through them. Everything that happens to them - even the scary things - seems like it would be very exciting!
The story has a fast pace and straightforward writing, making it a quick, enjoyable read for even the most reluctant of readers. Reading the first book is not required to follow the story, so Hide and Seek would even work as a classroom aloud for fourth or fifth graders. Hide and Seek is a perfect choice for kids who like The Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys, and for readers who enjoyed Madhattan Mystery and Chasing Vermeer.
literacydocent's review against another edition
4.0
If you're looking for an action packed jungle adventure dripping with mystery then Kate Messner's second additon to her Capture the Flag series is just the book! José, Anna, and Henry travel to the rainforests of Costa Rica to find the Silver Jaguar Society's treasured Jaguar Cup. Great characters and lots of action will keep readers hooked to end...and anxiously awaiting the next installment!
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order HIDE AND SEEK on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545419758
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order HIDE AND SEEK on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545419758
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