78 pages • 2 hours read
Book Scavenger
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Book Brief
367
Novel • Fiction
San Francisco, California • Contemporary
2014
Middle grade
8-12 years
810L
Super Short Summary
Book Scavenger follows 12-year-old Emily Crane, who moves with her family to San Francisco and quickly befriends James Lee. Together, they dive into the Book Scavenger game, hiding and finding books across the city. The plot thickens when they discover a book by Edgar Allan Poe that contains clues to a new game by their idol, Garrison Griswold, after he is attacked. Emily and James solve riddles and face thrilling challenges while forging a deeper friendship.
Adventurous
Mysterious
Playful
Exciting
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
18,140 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Jennifer Chambliss Bertman's Book Scavenger is highly praised for its engaging narrative, clever puzzles, and relatable characters. Readers appreciate the novel's celebration of books and literary culture. However, some critiques highlight a predictable plot and occasional pacing issues. Overall, it offers a delightful adventure for middle-grade readers.
Who Should Read Book Scavenger?
A reader who enjoys Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman is likely a middle-grade student who loves puzzles, mysteries, and literary adventure. Fans of Chris Grabenstein's Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library and Trenton Lee Stewart's The Mysterious Benedict Society would find a similar captivating and clever experience.
18,140 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
James Lee
James Lee
An eccentric boy with a distinctive hairstyle, whose family owns the building where Emily's family lives, and who shares her enthusiasm for puzzles and games, forming a deep friendship with her.
Matthew Crane
Matthew Crane
Emily's teenage brother who is a fan of punk rock band Flush; he supports Emily in her endeavors and tries to help her adjust to their family's frequent moves.
Hollister
Hollister
The owner of an independent bookstore and a former business partner of Griswold, who provides assistance and guidance to Emily and her friends during their quest.
Garrison Griswold
Garrison Griswold
The elderly founder of the Book Scavenger website and a publisher with a passion for books and puzzles, serving as an inspiration and catalyst for the story, despite being injured early on.
Leon Remora
Leon Remora
A rare book collector and antagonist in the story, driven by greed and willing to go to extreme lengths for personal gain.
367
Novel • Fiction
San Francisco, California • Contemporary
2014
Middle grade
8-12 years
810L
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