The Genius Files: Mission Unstoppable [Hardcover]

I'm always looking for a good chapter book to read with my twelve year old at night - one we both find interesting. This book definately hit the bill there. Two preteen twins (Coke and Pepsi) caught up in a secret government project with people out to kill them. The plot is exciting, there is a lot of amusement in the story as we learn of their bizzare names and their slightly eccentric parents. Very entertaining and unexpected story twists.

Here's my problem - I hope my twelve year old is responsible enough to see these are bad decisions - but several times the twins go with complete strangers who claim to be saving their lives - actually get in a car with them at one point. Next when they are told they are part of this secret government project - they are informed they can never tell anyone about it - even their parents - or their families lives may be threatened - OK big red flag - who wants their kid reading a book that says you have to keep secrets from your parents. I actually stopped right there to explain that you NEVER keep secrets from your parents (even if the supposed person says they will hurt them if you tell). You always need a parents judgement to help you make decisions when you are twelve. My kid said, "I know Mom" - but still it just gave me an uneasy feeling about the book in general.

So if you don't mind the message to kids that secrets and strangers are ok - then it is an entertaining read - but I would read it with your child and remind them that these are not good choices.

As my soon to be 8-year-old son is getting into puzzle-based books and his reading level is pretty good for his age, I figured why not try something a little longer and see how he enjoys it. I figured the book is for 8-12 year olds, hopefully this book would be easy for him to read.

"The Genius Files: Mission Impossible" by Dan Gutman is a book with a lot of potential, fun, engaging but I have to admit, for younger children, this may go way over their heads.

The book is about two twins, Coke and Pep McDonald and as they prepare for their family vacation cross-country (which both are dreading), while walking home, they notice a man in black driving behind them, following them with a golf cart.

At first, they figured it was just an old man driving but when Pep's female intuition starts to kick in, her brother Coke knows its bad and both start running away from the man. A mysterious woman named Mya shows up out of nowhere, gives them flight suits and tells them to jump off the cliff or else they will die and tells them that their life is in danger. The next thing you know it, more men and black show up and Mya tries to defend the kids. She ends up getting hit by darts and the kids have nowhere to go but to jump off a cliff.

The two can't believe they are flying through mid-air but now know their lives are in danger for some reason.

Well that reason is because the two happen to be genius. After 9/11, a scientist who was working at the Pentagon right after the accident was working on a program in which younger children who are geniuses were sought out and would be used for a government program.

What is Coke and Pep's tie to the program? And why do people want them dead?

"The Genius Files: Mission Impossible" is an interesting book as it features quite a bit of factoids of interesting topics and while I found the book quite enlightening and fun, as did my son, I have to admit that the book was a bit verbose for him and probably best read if he was a year or two older. He's about to turn 8 but there are a lot factoids that would probably appeal to older children, teens and adults but for a kid at a young age, it may be a bit much for him.

If anything, he was more into the adventure, the thrill of the cat and mouse hunt and he basically loved the interaction between brother and sister Coke and Pep but the part that he started to doze off or not have much interest reading were the factoids and once again, interesting read for me...but for him, I think he may be a bit too young to understand some of the dialogue or factoids or even the more historical situations even if some are fictional.

Also, I'm sure there are some parents who probably will not like to read a book to their children or would want them to read about two children being pursued by men trying to kill them. So, parental guidance is suggested. It's not a dark book by any means but knowing that there are young children at higher reading levels, it's important for parents to know more about this suspenseful storyline.

But overall, I did enjoy this book, probably more than my son did but I'm sure we will revisit this book when he gets a little older.

Weaving through the landscape of America with a fun story, pre-teen twins Coke and Pepsi are a lively and intelligent duo. Targeted for a young audience, even an adult can appreciate the intelligence Dan Gutman weaves into this book. It is likely to leave readers thirsty for the sequel.

A secret government program has labeled Coke and Pepsi McDonald as "genuis" material. Despite their parents carelessly throwing away their enrollment papers, Coke and Pepsi are practically forced to join. Being attacked by "bowler dudes" and a vindictive health teacher, the twins narrowly escape situations with their life. Thankfully, they have Bones and Mya to look after them along the way. On their cross country RV tour to their aunt's wedding, they encounter many quirks and tourist traps in the American landscape. Often, they use these features or aspects of these features to their advantage later. Any time the twins pick something up, they later use it to their advantage.

I appreciated the secret codes given in the book with author realistically documenting the metacognition of the twins as they tried to solve the codes. I must admit that I did not solve all of the codes until the answer was presented. The codes added a nice dimension to the book.

The villain that masterminds the plot against Coke and Pepsi is a sinister surprise. The author leaves the door open just enough for the sequel. Where will the road take our friend with the soft drink monikers? I can not wait to find out in the sequel.