336 pages
"Imagine a school in the year 2074 where students don't read history, but watch it happen around them; where running in gym class isn't around a track, but up a virtual mountain; and where learning about animals means becoming one through an avatar. Welcome to Cragbridge Hall, the most advanced and prestigious school in the world.
Twins Abby and Derick Cragbridge are excited as new students to use their famed grandfather's inventions that make Cragbridge Hall so incredible. But when their grandfather and parents go missing, the twins must follow a mysterious trail of clues left by their grandfather. They must find out where their family is, learn who they can trust, and discover what secrets are hidden within Cragbridge Hall.
Abby and Derick soon realize they are caught in a race with a fierce adversary to discover their grandfather's greatest secret--a dangerous discovery that could alter both history and reality." -Dust Jacket
This was a pretty good book, although the "greatest secret" was pretty obvious. The thing I liked most about this book was the way it reminds the reader or introduces the reader to some historical events, in particular Blackbeard's demise, Frederick Douglass learning to read, and the story of the Endurance in a way that's interesting to the reader. I found myself wanting to learn more about these events after reading this book. I also liked what Oscar Cragbridge said about tragedy and why one shouldn't want to or try to alter history.
Abby & Derick were likable enough. Abby was rejected by Cragbridge Hall but her grandfather got her in. She's accused of not being good enough to be there and ostracized by everyone but Carol, who eventually becomes her roommate. The fact that Abby has failed at things in her life proves to be a big asset at one point of the book because it's taught her to persevere. Rafa is a TA who is skilled with avatars and he plays a crucial role in this book as well.
I think my kids would like this book, especially my youngest two. There's a sequel coming out soon so we'll see if that one's even better.
{SPOILER ALERT}
List of characters (so I can remember when the sequel comes out!):
Derick & Abby Cragbridge - Twins, given lockets by their grandfather which help them know something's happened to him. Abby gives hers to who she thinks is a police officer early on but who really works for Muns.
Jefferson & Hailey Cragbridge - Abby & Derick's parents
Oscar Cragbridge - Grandfather, Inventor, Founder of Cragbridge Hall
Carol Reese - Abby's roommate and friend, sometimes annoyingly talkative
Rafa - Older student who helps Derick save his grandpa using a gorilla & rhino avatar
Charles Muns - Businessman who hires scientists to try to figure out time travel, arch rival of Oscar Cragbridge who kidnaps him and puts Jefferson & Hailey on the Titanic to try to get Oscar to reveal his secrets
Mr. Hendricks - Teacher at Cragbridge Hall who's kind to Abby & Derick but who works for Muns. Had a locket stolen from Coach
Minerva Entrese - English teacher at Cragbridge Hall who is cold at first but it's only because she used to work for Muns and she knows she's being watched. She's trying to appear to not be sympathetic to Oscar. She stopped working for him and helps Abby & Derick rescue their grandfather.
Coach Horne - Basketball coach, trusted by Oscar Cragbridge. Had his locket stolen and it winds up being the one Mr. Hendricks had. Tries to stop Hendricks after Abby goes through the Bridge to rescue her parents.
Coach Adonavich - Also trusted by Oscar Cragbridge and has a locket. Helped stop Hendricks as well.
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