Graysen Foxx and the Treasure of Principal Redbeard
Synopsis and Reviews
Synopsis
Join Graysen Foxx on a wild, treasure-hunting adventure!
Ordinary Elementary is anything but ordinary. Below the classrooms are winding, abandoned, underground passages filled with lost treasures. Fifth-grader Graysen Foxx, aka The Gray Fox—finder of secrets, solver of mysteries, and explorer of the unknown—is hot on the trail of the legendary treasure of Principal Redbeard, which includes decades of confiscated gadgets, rare comic books, first-edition Pokémon trading cards, an original Rubik’s Cube, and a retro handheld video game.
Graysen is determined to find the treasure and share it with his fellow students. His nemesis, Raven Ransom—nicknamed “Red Raven”—plans to stop him and claim the prizes for herself, just like she did with the game-winning home run kickball everyone thought was lost on the roof of the school.
Wearing his adventurer-iconic fedora, journaling in his field notebook, and wielding his elastic stretchy hand, Graysen is ready for action. But can he avoid the second-grade spy network working for Raven? Could the third-grade twins, Maya and Jack, give him an advantage? Can he avoid the ruthless sixth graders while trying to protect the innocent first graders? And who is the mysterious Midnight Moth who is leaving cryptic notes and riddles?
It’s a battle between courage and cunning, smarts and shrewdness, charity and cheating. With the treasure on the line, can Graysen trust his rival—or is it just another one of her traps? May the best treasure hunter win!
Reviews
“If there ever was a book that would grab the interest of a reluctant reader, J. Scott Savage’s Graysen Foxx and the Treasure of Principle Red Beard is it! The story is witty, funny, and full of adventure. Its abundant amount of relatable and hilarious similes will keep readers giggling. There’s also something for everyone in this story, from characters they might be like to situations they may have experienced. While the plot is full of situations that are realistic, there’s also just enough elements of fantasy to add a little magic and excitement. Additionally, it’s the perfect story to read as a family because even adults will enjoy Savage’s humor. It’s also fun to try to solve the mysteries and discover the plot twists which are even more enjoyable when you’re reading with others. The best part is that there is a sequel in the works so when you sadly close the book, there’s more to come! Graysen Foxx and the Treasure of Principle Red Beard is highly recommended for everyone ages 9 and up!”
–Compass Book Ratings
“I love the creativity of this book! Savage manages to capture your attention because all the different places Graysen Foxx goes bring back memories of elementary school. Of course, if you’re a middle-grader in elementary school, it would feel true-to-life, I think! The plot seamlessly flows while also taking you on a crazy ride. Hold on! There are a few twists and turns that manage to turn everything upside down!”
–The Readathon
“Watch out, Indiana Jones! Graysen Foxx will keep readers engaged from beginning to end with humor and adventure. My students and I gripped the edge of our seats wondering if Greyson would make it through the basement maze. We’re excited to see what will happen next.”
–Net Galley Librarian
Graysen Foxx and the Curse of the Illuminerdy
Synopsis and Reviews
Synopsis
Graysen Foxx must use his extraordinary detective skills to solve the strange, mind-bending clues of the Illuminerdy–a secret society of school nerds who guard a powerful treasure.
Graysen Foxx is no stranger to the mysteries hidden in Ordinary Elementary–the bat-filled tunnels, the secret passageways, the underground chambers, and the sticky spiderwebs–and he’s on the hunt for a creepy old painting that will guarantee his victory in the school’s Halloween room contest. But finding and claiming the painting is only the beginning of a wild adventure filled with puzzles that will put Graysen’s treasure-hunting skills to the test.
When Graysen finds a mysterious symbol on the back of a dusty spelling bee medal, news of the discovery spreads like creamy peanut butter, and fifth grader “Let’s Make a Deal” Larry immediately offers to trade for it. But before Graysen can learn who Larry is working for, a masked second grader steals the medal.
Who wants the medal and why? Was it Graysen’s nemesis, Raven? The second-grade spy network? Or the Doodler, the sixth-grade boss who blames a lost spelling bee for ruining his life?
While researching what the symbol might mean, Graysen and the twins, Maya and Jack, cross paths with a secret society of super-smart nerds and techies who call themselves the Illuminerdy. Ringing an ancient gong reveals a treasure so powerful, it could change the world of education forever. Now, Graysen and Raven must work together to outwit the secret society by uncovering a bone-rattling secret that the Illuminerdy will do anything to protect.
Reviews
Another fun adventure from J. Scott Savage! I have thoroughly enjoyed this elementary school/middle grade series. It’s a book that parents would definitely approve of and enjoy reading along with their children. I loved the funny puns and humor, the creative puzzles and mysteries they have to solve, and the life lessons shared subtly throughout.
Graysen Foxx is on another quest, this time to find a creepy painting that will help his treasure hunting sidekicks Maya and Jack win their Halloween classroom decorating contest. But, Ordinary Elementary is anything but ordinary as the kids have previously discovered. On their mission to find the painting, they uncover another mystery, an old spelling bee medal with a strange inscription on the back.
Before they can figure out what the medal means, a ninja like 2nd grader steals the medal right out of their hands. This starts them on an investigation that will test all of their skills and friendship leading to an encounter with a super smart group called the illuminerdy. They guard a particularly amazing secret which the friends are determined to uncover. From alligators to abacuses, they face it all on their action-packed, fun filled adventure.
This book was so much fun and I loved the narration of Graysen Foxx. He’s such a fun kid with a wicked smart sense of humor and a gift for leadership. There were so many great messages in this story that were delivered in an entertaining way. I loved the teamwork, friendships, and lesson that just because you fail at something doesn’t mean you’re doomed to failure. I loved the way the kids each used their specific talents to solve the puzzles and riddles. Music, chemistry, engineering, math, computer programming, and science problems were all featured in this amazing adventure.
I loved the setting where there are secret passageways, hidden secrets, and all kinds of imaginative scenarios that took me back to my own childhood. Who hasn’t wished to find a secret passage in the school basement? Where there are so many books nowadays that rely on crude humor and silly jokes, this book excels in intelligent humor, witty observations, and fun.
Highly recommend this book and the entire series to elementary school aged kids and up. While it’s the second book in the series, it could be read as a standalone, but is more enjoyable if you’ve read the first book. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.
–Melissa’s Bookshelf
