Scan barcode
emeszee's review against another edition
3.0
[3.5/5]
Okay, hear me out. I don't know why, but this book series kind of pops off. I still don't know why. It's obviously juvenile, but it still manages to have actual funny moments. Not even irritatingly cringy funny. It's somewhat miraculous. I might just have to go out of my way and read the other ones. I think I only read 2 of these back in the day, so I better catch up. As they said 4788478746 times in this book, let's bLoW tHiS pOp sTaNd!1!1!
Okay, hear me out. I don't know why, but this book series kind of pops off. I still don't know why. It's obviously juvenile, but it still manages to have actual funny moments. Not even irritatingly cringy funny. It's somewhat miraculous. I might just have to go out of my way and read the other ones. I think I only read 2 of these back in the day, so I better catch up. As they said 4788478746 times in this book, let's bLoW tHiS pOp sTaNd!1!1!
reader4evr's review against another edition
2.0
What an odd book and I feel like it took me too long to read it. I liked all of the pictures in it with all of the actual places because I would hope it would peak kids interest to research those places.
However I wasn't fan of the R word getting thrown around so casually in the book.
However I wasn't fan of the R word getting thrown around so casually in the book.
zsarge's review against another edition
5.0
I have seen several people saying this book is actually really bad, but I cannot attest to that.
Admittedly, I do not own a copy of this book. I cannot go back in time and read it as I am now.
All I can say is that I enjoyed this book as a child. It has some cool puzzles to figure out, which I remember enjoying. It has something in it about Elvis impersonators and frisbees of doom.
Needless to say, this is not going to be a classic, but I don't think it's as bad as people say it is.
DL;DR:
I liked it, I have no idea how good the book was.
Admittedly, I do not own a copy of this book. I cannot go back in time and read it as I am now.
All I can say is that I enjoyed this book as a child. It has some cool puzzles to figure out, which I remember enjoying. It has something in it about Elvis impersonators and frisbees of doom.
Needless to say, this is not going to be a classic, but I don't think it's as bad as people say it is.
DL;DR:
I liked it, I have no idea how good the book was.
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Why I read it: received e-copy from Netgalley for review
The Plot: Two twins named Coke and Pepsi find that they are targets of assassins. As the plot unfolds, they find out that they are part of a secret group called The Genius Files. All of this happens as they finish up the school year and head on a cross country trip in an RV with their parents. Obviously the whole plot was fairly unbelievable, but the target audience should find it fun.
The Characters: Besides having quite possibly the most ridiculous names I've ever seen for characters, Coke and Pepsi are your regular almost teenagers (they turn 13 during the story). Except that they are both exceptionally smart. It comes off somewhat in the story, but they're not annoyingly smart, if that makes sense. Kids should be able to relate to these characters, mostly.
The Setting: This was the fun part of the story. The family sets off on a cross country trip, leaving from San Francisco and ending up in Washington D.C. (although they don't make it all the way in this book). Throughout the book the author interjects cities you can plug into google maps to follow along with them on their trip. There are also pictures throughout of the places they visited. And if that's not enough, since both Coke and his mom are lovers of useless facts, we learn a lot of things about different spots in the U.S.
Who Should Read This? This is a great book for the middle grade audience. Parents who like to read to their younger children might like this one as well, just for its silliness and fun.
Final Thoughts: I'll be honest here. If I was judging this book purely on it's entertainment level for me, I wouldn't rate it very high. It was very silly and very young, especially the humor. That being said, this book wasn't written for my age group. It was written for kids, and I think they'll really like it. So while it may not go on any favorite lists of mine, it's great for what it was meant to be: a fun adventure tale for middle grade readers.
Grade: B
Cover Thoughts: The cover has a cute, cartoonish look that will definitely appeal to kids.
The Plot: Two twins named Coke and Pepsi find that they are targets of assassins. As the plot unfolds, they find out that they are part of a secret group called The Genius Files. All of this happens as they finish up the school year and head on a cross country trip in an RV with their parents. Obviously the whole plot was fairly unbelievable, but the target audience should find it fun.
The Characters: Besides having quite possibly the most ridiculous names I've ever seen for characters, Coke and Pepsi are your regular almost teenagers (they turn 13 during the story). Except that they are both exceptionally smart. It comes off somewhat in the story, but they're not annoyingly smart, if that makes sense. Kids should be able to relate to these characters, mostly.
The Setting: This was the fun part of the story. The family sets off on a cross country trip, leaving from San Francisco and ending up in Washington D.C. (although they don't make it all the way in this book). Throughout the book the author interjects cities you can plug into google maps to follow along with them on their trip. There are also pictures throughout of the places they visited. And if that's not enough, since both Coke and his mom are lovers of useless facts, we learn a lot of things about different spots in the U.S.
Who Should Read This? This is a great book for the middle grade audience. Parents who like to read to their younger children might like this one as well, just for its silliness and fun.
Final Thoughts: I'll be honest here. If I was judging this book purely on it's entertainment level for me, I wouldn't rate it very high. It was very silly and very young, especially the humor. That being said, this book wasn't written for my age group. It was written for kids, and I think they'll really like it. So while it may not go on any favorite lists of mine, it's great for what it was meant to be: a fun adventure tale for middle grade readers.
Grade: B
Cover Thoughts: The cover has a cute, cartoonish look that will definitely appeal to kids.
brittster622's review against another edition
3.0
This is a pretty good middle grade adventure. The twins make good MCs and have a good dynamic between them.
I do wish there was a little more that showed off their unique talents and a little more adding to the atoryline throughout the book. Most of the book was surrounding the family and their road trip.
I do wish there was a little more that showed off their unique talents and a little more adding to the atoryline throughout the book. Most of the book was surrounding the family and their road trip.
thebrainlair's review against another edition
2.0
I wonder if Rick Yancey got the idea for those implants in The 5th Wave from this book? I didn't really think this was funny. Or that interesting. But, I can see why kids might like it. And Jeannie.
alyshadeshae's review against another edition
4.0
A cute kids' spy book. Some of the wording is definitely dated. I didn't realize how old the book was (about a decade) when I picked it up and was surprised by the use of the r-slur. I was pleased that it was almost immediately followed up by a "you can't say that" chastisement, but it was a bit jarring.
onceuponacarm's review against another edition
3.0
Good for a lot of kids--funny, adventurous, exciting. But not my cup of tea.
the_enobee's review against another edition
4.0
I started this with my son a few months ago, and once we hit the half-way point he took off on his own and left me the in the dust. That's a testament to what a fun read The Genius Files is. Perfect for 9-12 and maybe even older. I love the emphasis this book places on Americana as the family embarks on a non-traditional trip across the country. And the interactive aspects of encouraging the reader to look things up online is really cool too. Awesome cloak and dagger happenings as well make this an irresistible read and I'm looking forward to the sequel myself.