Title: The Puzzling World of Winston Breen
Author: Eric Berlin
Series: The Puzzling World of Winston Breen, book 1
Major Themes: Puzzles, Mysteries
Synopsis: Winston loved puzzles and found them everywhere he looked—but he couldn’t solve the mystery on the strange puzzle pieces he found in his sister’s birthday present!
A few years ago, I bought a number of books from Sonlight Curriculum that fit into their new fifth-grade reading course. Several of these have become family favorites. No one had gotten around to reading The Puzzling World of Winston Breen, but every time I came across it on the shelf, I wanted to read it. Finally, it fit into a reading challenge I like to do—I needed a book that included puzzles or a mystery. Perfect!
Publisher’s description:
Winston Breen loves puzzles and he finds them everywhere! So when he comes across strange puzzle pieces in an antique box, he can’t resist the challenge of finding out where they came from and what the words on the pieces mean. Before long, he’s off in search of long-hidden treasure—accompanied by a rather unique group of interested people.
At first, it seems as though they’re working together, but it soon becomes clear that someone in the group doesn’t intend to share the treasure, should it be found. This treasure hunt will thrill readers right until the very end!
My thoughts:
It didn’t take me very long to read The Puzzling World of Winston Breen. It’s a fast-paced book, perfect for middle-grade children. The puzzle pieces that Winston found led him and his little sister right into a mystery that ended up being more dangerous than they dreamed it could be—could they solve the mystery in time, or would the treasure hunters find the answers first? Along the way, Winston kept running into one puzzle after another. The answers are all at the back of the book for those who can’t quite figure them out on their own.
This book is perfect for children who love mysteries and puzzles. It is not a good one to read aloud, unless both the reader and the one being read to are sitting together, because the puzzles often have to be seen to be appreciated. I will be recommending this book to my 12-year-old next time he wants help choosing something to read.
WARNING: Chapter 1: Heck. Chapter 3: Heck, holy moly. Chapter 4: Holy mackerel, the heck, holy cow. Chapter 7: One heck of an act. Chapter 8: What the heck. Chapter 9: Who the heck. Chapter 10: Heck. Chapter 11: Holy crow. Chapter 13: You’re a damn genius, holy cow. Chapter 15: Those damn puzzle pieces.
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 8 – 12, Family Friendly
Reading Independently—Ages 8 – 12, 10 – 12, 12 – 15
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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