[Gutman Dan]The Genius Files : Mission Unstoppable(epub){Zzzzz}

The most exciting road trip in history begins! In this action-packed, New York Times bestselling adventure, twelve-year-old twins Coke and Pepsi McDonald embark on a family vacation you'll have to read to believe.

With the real-kid humor that has earned Dan Gutman millions of fans around the world, and featuring weird-but-true American tourist destinations, The Genius Files is a one-of-a-kind mix of geography and fun. As Coke and Pepsi dodge nefarious villains from the Pez museum in California all the way to the Infinity Room in Wisconsin, black-and-white photographs and maps put young readers right into the action. And don't miss the next leg of the journey in The Genius Files: Never Say Genius!

Supports the Common Core State Standards

Publisher: HarperCollins; Reprint edition (December 27, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061827665
ISBN-13: 978-0061827662


Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Thrill seekers and Gutman fans alike will welcome the opening installment of the Genius Files series, which follows twin 12-year-olds Coke and Pepsi McDonald on their cross-county vacation. The precocious brother and sister uncover a secret government plot to use “YAGs,” or Young American Geniuses, to solve the complex problems of the nation, and find that they are on the list. Suddenly, their 3,000-mile road trip becomes a lot more exciting. The McDonalds’ trek across the U.S. includes stops at the Donner Party Memorial, a museum of PEZ memorabilia, and the world’s largest ball of twine, all while being pursued by dangerous “dudes with bowler hats.” Although the interjection of factual information from their college-professor father is a bit forced at times, Gutman’s novel offers a quirky look at Americana that will engage curious minds. Frequent sidebars direct readers to Google Maps to track the twins’ journey, and occasional photos of the attractions add appeal. Those looking for a fun and suspenseful read similar to those from Pseudonymous Bosch will not be disappointed. Grades 5-8. --Erin Anderson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
''There is no shortage of humor or action . . . Gutman continues to do what he does best: entertain readers.'' --Publishers Weekly

''A quirky look at Americana that will engage curious minds . . . Those looking for a fun and suspenseful read similar to those from Pseudonymous Bosch will not be disappointed.'' --Booklist

''Dan Gutman is a funny man and a prolific writer, and the Genius Files, his latest excursion into early teen adventure and absurdity, will likely find an immediate audience . . . A page turner.'' --Children's Literature

''Encouraging readers to follow along, Gutman tucks Google Map directions and small photographs into the margins while salting his tale with coded messages and rousingly icky brangles . . . along with his usual generous measures of quick action and snarky repartee.'' --Kirkus Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Enjoyable, informative, engaging and cool! For younger children at a higher reading level, PG is suggested!
By Dennis A. Amith (kndy) TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on January 5, 2011
As my soon to be 8-year-old son is getting into puzzle-based books and his reading level is pretty good for his age, I figured why not try something a little longer and see how he enjoys it. I figured the book is for 8-12 year olds, hopefully this book would be easy for him to read.

"The Genius Files: Mission Impossible" by Dan Gutman is a book with a lot of potential, fun, engaging but I have to admit, for younger children, this may go way over their heads.

The book is about two twins, Coke and Pep McDonald and as they prepare for their family vacation cross-country (which both are dreading), while walking home, they notice a man in black driving behind them, following them with a golf cart.

At first, they figured it was just an old man driving but when Pep's female intuition starts to kick in, her brother Coke knows its bad and both start running away from the man. A mysterious woman named Mya shows up out of nowhere, gives them flight suits and tells them to jump off the cliff or else they will die and tells them that their life is in danger. The next thing you know it, more men and black show up and Mya tries to defend the kids. She ends up getting hit by darts and the kids have nowhere to go but to jump off a cliff.

The two can't believe they are flying through mid-air but now know their lives are in danger for some reason.

Well that reason is because the two happen to be genius. After 9/11, a scientist who was working at the Pentagon right after the accident was working on a program in which younger children who are geniuses were sought out and would be used for a government program.

What is Coke and Pep's tie to the program? And why do people want them dead?

Funny spy novel for fans of 39 Clues
By M. Tanenbaum VINE VOICE on December 7, 2010
This first in a new comic/adventure series by acclaimed children's author Dan Gutman should appeal to the 8-12 year old crowd (maybe even up to 14 or so) who like caper series like the 39 Clues. The heroes are a pair of twins with the unlikely names of Coke and Pepsi McDonald, who, unbeknownst to them, have been enrolled in a secret government program, The Genius Files, designed to spot the smartest kids in the country and make them into super agents. Gutman knows what kids like, and this is a real kid pleaser. Parents and teachers will like how Gutman weaves in a story of a cross-country trip in which the McDonalds and their parents visit all kinds of quirky state attractions. You can even follow along through Google maps, and the book is illustrated with lots of photos of these unusual places. All in all, a fun read, and kids who enjoy it will be looking forward to the sequels! This could be a fun classroom read-aloud since teachers could incorporate geography lessons along the way.


Unstoppable Ride
By JMack VINE VOICE on December 14, 2010
Weaving through the landscape of America with a fun story, pre-teen twins Coke and Pepsi are a lively and intelligent duo. Targeted for a young audience, even an adult can appreciate the intelligence Dan Gutman weaves into this book. It is likely to leave readers thirsty for the sequel.

A secret government program has labeled Coke and Pepsi McDonald as "genuis" material. Despite their parents carelessly throwing away their enrollment papers, Coke and Pepsi are practically forced to join. Being attacked by "bowler dudes" and a vindictive health teacher, the twins narrowly escape situations with their life. Thankfully, they have Bones and Mya to look after them along the way. On their cross country RV tour to their aunt's wedding, they encounter many quirks and tourist traps in the American landscape. Often, they use these features or aspects of these features to their advantage later. Any time the twins pick something up, they later use it to their advantage.

I appreciated the secret codes given in the book with author realistically documenting the metacognition of the twins as they tried to solve the codes. I must admit that I did not solve all of the codes until the answer was presented. The codes added a nice dimension to the book.

The villain that masterminds the plot against Coke and Pepsi is a sinister surprise. The author leaves the door open just enough for the sequel. Where will the road take our friend with the soft drink monikers? I can not wait to find out in the sequel.