The Secret of Stoneship Woods

My 11 year old son, a reluctant but good reader, just loves this series and rated it 5 stars. Four friends: Jake, Cyril, Lucas and Lexi find an abandoned warehouse full of spy equipment and computers in a local wooded area called Stoneship Woods. This book is the first in the Spy Gear Adventures series. Something strange is going on in the local "haunted house" and the friends use the warehouse full of great gadgets to investigate the mystery. The action is fast paced but clearly written and easy to follow. The author talks directly to the reader at times making whacky jokes and observations while relating the story. Lexi is a very strong female character, Cyril is the athletically challenged gadget whiz and the Bixby brothers have very strong positive family interactions. I won't spoil the mystery but I will say major questions about the origins of the warehouse remain open for future stories. Fun reading for tweens.

The beginning of a promising series of children's books, The Secret of Stoneship Woods is both funny and hair-raising, the interactive style of narration is fun and easy to read, and the characters are likable and well-developed. Enough mystery is left at the end to make the reader want to head straight to the second book. I look forward to seeing what else this author has in store!

This book is really great and fun to read! It has lots of humor and is extremely entertaining.Except for I have a reccomendation: don't read the scary part right before you go to bed or else you might have nighmares about Marco possibly killing Cyril.

I can't get over how quickly my daughter became emersed in this book! She was never really a reader but wanted to check out the Spy Gear Adventure Series (a boy in class told her about it). She received walkie-talkies for Christmas & her classmate told her that the book he was reading had kids using walkie talkies on "super cool missions." She now keeps me updated on the characters (there is a capable girl character, in addition to the boys) & has come alive with imaginative play scenerios for her & her friends. Her enthusiasm for the book & all things spy-related has definitely created a mini-sensation in the neighborhood. Like the other reviewer mentioned, my daughter liked how the author jumped in & out of the book "talking to" the reader. She felt like she was in on something really important...keep 'em coming! (Has anyone found Spy Gear Adventure Videos??)

Mom: The Secret of Stoneship Woods is a fun and lighthearted story about some kids that find spy gear in an abandoned warehouse and use it to stake out an old farmhouse. The result is that they find trouble! The author provides a running commentary throughout the book that keeps things from getting too scary. My son, who also read it (reading group age 8-12) really enjoyed it and the sequel. Son: It is cool. I liked all the cool spy gadgets and finding out the mystery at the end. It is fun that the author talks to you. I am recommending it to my friends.