The Secret Box

The Secret Box

Juvenile fiction
If you have a youngster in your life who would much rather play
video games than read, Whitaker Ringwald's The Secret Box is a sweet
enticement you can offer for going old school. Told from the
alternating viewpoints of two cousins (feisty, impetuous Jax and shy
bookworm Ethan) it's a fast paced narrative with plenty of allusions
to virtual worlds and the mythology that underlies some of them.
On Jax's twelth birthday she receives a mysterious package from
someone named Juniper. Her mom immediately grabs the box and sets off
to return it to the mystery sender with no explanation for her strange
behavior other than that she knows what's best for her.
What 12-year-old will accept that? Certainly not adventurous
Jax. She enlists her trusty sidekick cousin Ethan in her quest,
promising him they won't get in any trouble. They end up in bigger
peril than they've ever been in. Juniper, who turns out to be Jax and
Ethan's great aunt is not a sweet old cookie baking lady.
International thieves are hot on the trail of the box. And its
contents hold very strong, almost hypnotic powers.
A young student with a book report due will find The Secret Box
an excellent choice for fun reading as well as class credit.
On a personal note, I was thrilled yesterday to find a pair of my
favorite brand skinny leg jeans that fit like they were made just for
me. Don't you love finding the perfect jeans? Also jewelery,
diaries, and wind chimes featuring ceramic bees and flowers. Life is
good.
A great big shout out goes out to mystery book lovers.
Julia Emily Hathaway



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