The Potato Chip Puzzles

August 1, 2009
Gr 4-7-The whiz kid from "The Puzzling World of Winston Breen" (Putnam, 2007) returns to reason through his second mystery. Winston and his two friends, Mal and Jake, are sent to represent Walter Fredericks Junior High in a daylong puzzle competition sponsored by the eccentric owner of Simon's Snack Foods. Their teacher, Mr. Garvey, is determined to win the $50,000 prize for their school and constantly chides the boys to take the day seriously. As Winston's group scrambles around town tracking clues and solving riddles, they are waylaid by a saboteur they suspect is connected to one of the competing schools. They also encounter ethical questions: Is it okay to bend the rules to win? In the end, Winston and Mr. Garvey face a moral dilemma and emerge with a better understanding of one another. Berlin refreshes traditional themes, including the importance of good sportsmanship, with oodles of mind-bogglers for readers' enjoyment. While some puzzles are integral to the plot, others can be solved at a later point (an answer key and additional puzzles are appended). The interlocking mystery contains all the information needed for its unraveling. The subplots are well integrated and the dialogue is snappy. Suggest this fine brainteaser to fans of Siobhan Dowd's "The London Eye Mystery" (Random, 2008) or Trenton Lee Stewart's "The Mysterious Benedict Society" (Little, Brown, 2007)."Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2009
Grades 4-6 This follow-up to Berlins outstanding The Puzzling World of Winston Breen (2007)is another sure-fire delight for hardcore puzzle guzzlers. The plot this time around, though, is a wee bit more transparent in delivering the stumpers: Winston and friends, along with an overzealous math teacher, enter into a potato-chip companys puzzle-solving contest, the winner of which will get $50,000 for his or her school. Adding a touch of drama to the proceedings is a mysterious and possibly dangerous saboteur.The clever yet solvable puzzles are perfect to keep analytical attentions invested and to challenge readers to think sideways.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)