Chester Keene Cracks the Code
Boy finds family, friendship in heartwarming adventure.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Chester Keene Cracks the Code by award-winning author Kekla Magoon (The Season of Styx Malone) is a heartwarming adventure and mystery story focused on family and friendship. Courage, teamwork, empathy, and forgiveness are important themes. The main character, 11-year-old Chester, is verbally and physically bullied by a classmate, which includes name-calling, teasing, pushing, and punching. There's a side plot with an armed robbery, and the thieves use dart guns. No one is seriously injured, although characters are briefly tied up and an adult character is stunned by an arrow. The adult robbers drink beer and smoke cigarettes. Chester mentions casually that his mom's relationship became serious when her boyfriend started staying overnight.
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What's the Story?
In CHESTER KEENE CRACKS THE CODE, 11-year-old Chester navigates the challenges of middle school and yearns for his absent father. He's being bullied and has no friends, but he doesn't want his mom to worry about it. Meanwhile, Chester and his classmate Skye are thrown together to solve a series of clues in a scavenger hunt. Their personalities differ a lot, but they form a tentative friendship. As they team up to solve the puzzle, they find themselves involved in a bigger adventure and maybe even in some danger. Chester wonders why the puzzle-maker put him together with Skye. Will they solve the mystery in time? Will the clues bring Chester any closer to finding the truth about his dad?
Is It Any Good?
This sweet story about family and friendship keeps readers engaged with an exciting mix of mystery and adventure. Chester Keene Cracks the Code explores family bonds, friendship, bullying, and forgiveness with sensitivity and warmth. Buttoned-down, serious Chester and free-wheeling, messy Skye make a great team, and they're funny together, too. While readers may feel frustrated as Chester and his mom continually struggle to communicate, they'll be more than rewarded when mother and son finally find their way. The story provides an excellent lesson about honesty and forgiveness. Readers will also see the different ways that people can find, and make, family and friends
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about bullying in Chester Keene Cracks the Code. At first, Chester doesn't tell his mom that he's being bullied. Why is it important to tell a trusted adult about bullying? How does Chester demonstrate courage in responding to Marc's bullying in the end?
Chester hasn't seen his dad for more than eight years and wants to find him. What does Chester think about family and finding his dad at the beginning of the book? How does that change by the end of the story?
Chester and Skye work together to solve the clues in the scavenger hunt. Through teamwork, the figure things out and find friendship. Have you ever worked with a classmate or friend on a project or problem? How did it go?
Chester's mom makes a big mistake by telling a lie about something important. Has someone ever lied to you about something important? How did it feel? What did you do?
Book Details
- Author: Kekla Magoon
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship, Middle School
- Character Strengths: Courage, Empathy, Teamwork
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Wendy Lamb
- Publication date: July 5, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 304
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: July 10, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
The Season of Styx Malone
Heartwarming story of friendship and adventure.
-
Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone
Powerful, emotional novel tackles bullying and friendship.
-
The Parker Inheritance
Kids investigate past racist incident in thrilling mystery.
For kids who love tales of friendship and dealing with bullying
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