GRAYSEN FOXX AND THE TREASURE OF PRINCIPAL REDBEARD

A long-lost treasure eludes the grasp of a determined adventure seeker.

Fifth grader Graysen Foxx is on the hunt for the trove of Principal Redbeard. The rumored collection of confiscated toys, comic books, trading cards, and old-school gaming devices has been lost to the ages, but Graysen, who reads White, is determined to uncover its location. Unfortunately, his nemesis, Raven Ransom, a redheaded fellow fifth grader, hopes to find the treasure for herself and will stop at nothing to claim it. Graysen is ready for action, feats of derring-do, and the occasional brain teasing puzzle. With third grade twins Maya and Jack Delgado as his allies, The Gray Fox is on the hunt, with Red Raven, her Second Grade Spy Network, and ruthless sixth graders looking at every turn. The riff on Indiana Jones and Uncharted for the middle-grade set works well enough, peppered as it is with effusive verbiage that will get pulses going right from the start. The problem comes when the novel needs to keep up that pace: The high stakes and rollicking action get a bit cumbersome when breathlessly and repeatedly recounted at the same pitch. The modulation is off a bit, making the novel feel too long. Still, Graysen is an engaging protagonist, and his world is charming enough that readers will likely stick with it. Names signal ethnic diversity in the supporting cast. Final art not seen.

A strong premise let down by its execution.