GRAYSEN FOXX AND THE CURSE OF THE ILLUMINERDY, by J. Scott Savage and Brandon Dorman, Shadow Mountain, Jan. 2, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
A young adventurer sets out to solve a secret society’s clues in Graysen Foxx and the Curse of the Illuminerdy, by J. Scott Savage.
Graysen Foxx is no stranger to the mysteries hidden in Ordinary Elementary — the bat-filled tunnels, the secret passageways, the underground chambers, and the sticky spiderwebs — and he’s on the hunt for a creepy old painting that will guarantee his victory in the school’s Halloween room contest. But finding and claiming the painting is only the beginning of a wild adventure filled with puzzles that will put Graysen’s treasure-hunting skills to the test.
When Graysen finds a mysterious symbol on the back of a dusty spelling bee medal, the discovery spreads like creamy peanut butter, and fifth grader “Let’s Make a Deal” Larry immediately offers to trade for it. But before Graysen can learn who Larry is working for, a masked second-grader steals the medal.
Who wants the medal and why? Was it Graysen’s nemesis, Raven? The second-grade spy network? Or the Doodler, the sixth-grade boss who blames a lost spelling bee for ruining his life?
While researching what the symbol might mean, Graysen and the twins, Maya and Jack, cross paths with a secret society of super-smart nerds and techies who call themselves the Illuminerdy. Ringing an ancient gong reveals a treasure so powerful, it could change the world of education forever. Now, Graysen and Raven must work together to outwit the secret society by uncovering a bone-rattling secret that the Illuminerdy will do anything to protect. —Synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain
Graysen Foxx and the Curse of the Illuminerdy is the second book in J. Scott Savage’s Grayson Foxx, School Treasure Hunter series, and just like the first book, Graysen Foxx and the Treasure of Principal Redbeard, it’s filled with excitement.
This time around, Graysen and his friends must solve STEM-based puzzles and riddles and explore hidden passageways all within the framework of “normal” school.
As with its predecessor, the star of Graysen Foxx and the Curse of the Illuminerdy is Graysen himself. Author J. Scott Savage has Graysen’s voice down. It’s full of energy and bravado and really draws you in. He very much is what you’d kind of expect from a young Indiana Jones-type character.
Accompanying illustrations by Brandon Dorman are sprinkled throughout and add to the overall feel.
Graysen Foxx and the Curse of the Illuminerdy can be read alone, but is better if read after its successor. It’s a fast-paced novel that will appeal to fans of mystery and adventure.
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