The Genius Files: Mission Unstoppable

The Genius Files: Mission Unstoppable
By Dan Gutman
ISBN 9780061827649
Adventure

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 in Mission Unstoppable. The intelligent 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 than they ever imagined. 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 interruption of factual information from their college-professor father is a bit forced at times and annoying, they learn more than they realize. Gutman’s novel offers an original look at America that will engage curious minds. Gutman includes frequent sidebars directing readers to Google Maps to track the twins’ journey, and occasional photos of the attractions which adds to the story and engages the reader. Gutman has written a wide range of fiction material, which attracts readers and incorporate realistic historical facts which students can comprehend. He also uses well known consumer products, words, places, names, etc to engage readers and build on prior knowledge, he does it again, through this exciting journey of Pepsi and Coke. This book has ensued excitement for his next book in the series and triggered a new interest in Dan Gutman’s other books.