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The Jinson Twins, Science Detectives, and the Mystery of Echo Lake
The Jinson twins, Joe and Debbie, decide to start a business during their summer vacation, hiring themselves out to do odd jobs. They find themselves in an odder job than they counted on when Mrs. Gray, who lives with her talkative parrot, the Captain, in an old house down off River Road, engages them to help clean out her basement. Aided by their friend, Mr. Benjamin, the proprietor of the Resource Recovery and Recycling Center (a.k.a. the junkyard), the twins use the clues that Mrs. Gray’s late husband, a former sea captain, left behind to figure out, using scientific principles, where the captain hid his enormous collection of antique Spanish gold coins. But some other people know about the treasure too and have no intention of letting an old lady who spends most of her time with a parrot, an old man who runs a junkyard, and a couple of kids get the treasure.
194 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2011
2 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Steven L. Zeichner
3 books8 followersDr. Zeichner received his BA in Biology from the University of Chicago and continued his studies at Chicago, obtaining his MD and his PhD in Microbiology as a student in the Medical Scientist Training Program. He trained in Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He worked at the National Institutes of Health for several years and now works at Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC where he is Senior Investigator in the Children’s Research Institute and Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Zeichner studies the basic biology of HIV and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, is working to find new ways to make vaccines, and is studying the relationships that link people with the microbes that make people their home. He also directs clinical trials that study new therapies for children infected with HIV. He is the author or co-author of more than 50 scientific publications, and is the editor of the first edition of the Handbook of Pediatric HIV Care (Lippincott Williams and Wilkins), the first edition of the Textbook of Pediatric HIV Care (Cambridge University Press), and the second edition of the Handbook of Pediatric HIV Care (Cambridge University Press). He lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with his wife, Rachel Moon, MD, also a pediatrician, and with his two daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 6, 2013
I was very surprised by the way I was hooked into this book. This is a children's book, but could easily (as it did with me) grab the attention and enjoyment of an adult. From the beginning the reader is left wondering what the opening scene has to do with most of the rest of the book, being that the opening scene is the outcome of what comes after it in the book with the exception of the final chapters or two. After a few chapters though, I forgot my question about what the opening scene was there for and read it like it didn't exist. With this said, I feel there isn't a need for it to have been there, but it does add a little to this being a story told by a child character. The recollection factor was well used.
I also enjoyed the addition of science into the book. When writing a children's book the amount of "learning" thrown in can either get more kids interesting in reading it or push others away depending on how it was written into the story. I think these elements were written perfectly into the story. Even at my age, while reading this I didn't realize that I was reading about science or learning till I got halfway through those parts. It wasn't terribly hard to follow either, which is always good for children.
I did feel though, that the "Yellow Jackets" were either unnecessary characters or just needed more involvement. This can be said about the strange man with the blue truck. At the end, his place in the story is explained. But in both cases I can't say for sure whether or not the story benefited from their involvement. Also if there was more development and concern shown from the other characters toward the "villains," I think this book could easily have been geared more towards an adult audience looking for a crime/suspense novel.
One last minor point to make. There were, if I remember my count correctly, about four sentences/paragraphs in the book that need some attention. The entire book was written in the first person from Debbie's point of view. In these few areas though, the author has slipped and written in the third person (i.e. "they" instead of "we.") This doesn't take away from my enjoyment of the book though, but I feel it should be mentioned to help out the author for the future. Plus no body, especially me, is perfect grammatically.
I do hope that Zeichner decides to write another Jinson Twins book. I would enjoy to read more of their adventures.
I also enjoyed the addition of science into the book. When writing a children's book the amount of "learning" thrown in can either get more kids interesting in reading it or push others away depending on how it was written into the story. I think these elements were written perfectly into the story. Even at my age, while reading this I didn't realize that I was reading about science or learning till I got halfway through those parts. It wasn't terribly hard to follow either, which is always good for children.
I did feel though, that the "Yellow Jackets" were either unnecessary characters or just needed more involvement. This can be said about the strange man with the blue truck. At the end, his place in the story is explained. But in both cases I can't say for sure whether or not the story benefited from their involvement. Also if there was more development and concern shown from the other characters toward the "villains," I think this book could easily have been geared more towards an adult audience looking for a crime/suspense novel.
One last minor point to make. There were, if I remember my count correctly, about four sentences/paragraphs in the book that need some attention. The entire book was written in the first person from Debbie's point of view. In these few areas though, the author has slipped and written in the third person (i.e. "they" instead of "we.") This doesn't take away from my enjoyment of the book though, but I feel it should be mentioned to help out the author for the future. Plus no body, especially me, is perfect grammatically.
I do hope that Zeichner decides to write another Jinson Twins book. I would enjoy to read more of their adventures.
July 29, 2012
Originally posted at: A Girl that likes Book
I got this book through the Member Giveaway program at LybraryThing.com, but with the moving and what not I forgot I had it!. I saw the description of the book, and it got me at “sciences detectives”
The story is told in the voice of Debbie. One thing I have to mention is that a couple of time this changed for a paragraph, to being told by a third person, and then back to first person (Debbie) without any apparent reason. I guess this just slipped from the editors. Other than that I have to give it to Zeicher, I felt like listening to my 12 year old cousin, and I imagine the fact the he is trained in pediatrics and has 2 daughters gave him the practice to know how a 12 year old girl would express herself.
This twins, besides being smart, are not out of the ordinary twins, no special language, no reading of each other thoughts, which I actually liked a lot, because all they do during the mystery is trough thinking, and I love a book that promotes this. After a “long” time where it looks like no-one is going to hire them, they get a call from Mrs Gray an elder lady who needs their help. Along they find the treasure of a map, that her husband promised to her. Here is where Mr. Benjamin, an engineer, comes to help them. Now, why wasn’t him in a more “science” field instead of engineering, I don’t know. With the author’s background in microbiology I was expecting another career for the person pushing the scientific method, but that’s just me.
The book actually makes reference to a real research article (including the URL at NCBI, I’m geeking out here, sorry) and I loved that. Extra points for the last part of the book where you can do an experiment to evaluate the speed of sound.
I think this is the type of book I would love to read to my future daughter and hope that she also falls in love with sicence, or at least understands where my love is coming from.
I got this book through the Member Giveaway program at LybraryThing.com, but with the moving and what not I forgot I had it!. I saw the description of the book, and it got me at “sciences detectives”
The story is told in the voice of Debbie. One thing I have to mention is that a couple of time this changed for a paragraph, to being told by a third person, and then back to first person (Debbie) without any apparent reason. I guess this just slipped from the editors. Other than that I have to give it to Zeicher, I felt like listening to my 12 year old cousin, and I imagine the fact the he is trained in pediatrics and has 2 daughters gave him the practice to know how a 12 year old girl would express herself.
This twins, besides being smart, are not out of the ordinary twins, no special language, no reading of each other thoughts, which I actually liked a lot, because all they do during the mystery is trough thinking, and I love a book that promotes this. After a “long” time where it looks like no-one is going to hire them, they get a call from Mrs Gray an elder lady who needs their help. Along they find the treasure of a map, that her husband promised to her. Here is where Mr. Benjamin, an engineer, comes to help them. Now, why wasn’t him in a more “science” field instead of engineering, I don’t know. With the author’s background in microbiology I was expecting another career for the person pushing the scientific method, but that’s just me.
The book actually makes reference to a real research article (including the URL at NCBI, I’m geeking out here, sorry) and I loved that. Extra points for the last part of the book where you can do an experiment to evaluate the speed of sound.
I think this is the type of book I would love to read to my future daughter and hope that she also falls in love with sicence, or at least understands where my love is coming from.
October 9, 2012
I am a few years (OK a few decades) past the age this book was written for so I cannot say with certainty how it will be received by them, but it is a good story and I believe it will be a hit.
There are places where Debbie gets a little wordy without seeming to move the story along, but if you can hang in there with her, most everything adds to the tale at some point and she is funny.
As an advocate for encouraging boys to read, I would have liked for Joe to take over telling the tale from time to time and add a male perspective to the proceedings. It certainly would be an easier sell to boys if he had a least a share of the narration.
That aside, it would be a great read-aloud in an elementary library. You could read the first chapter and I expect have it checked out for the rest of the year to one child or another (said the former school librarian). I could also see a really good science teacher getting into using this book to build some interest in practical uses of science (“why do we have learn all this stuff?”).
One of the things that kept me going in the early pages was the humor of Debbie’s tale. I can remember being the child in the middle of a seat too full of bodies and being poked by things I'd rather not know what they were. You have the cranky old lady (anyone not remember at least one?), the junk dealer (or recycle center operator if you prefer), the crazy man in blue pickup, a dog, a parrot, the town bullies the mystery in the title, and golden treasure and you have it all.
One final note. If they make an audio book of this, it would make a great way to reduce the number of “are we there yet?” questions and give everyone a topic to discuss. This is a kid’s book parents could listen to.
There are places where Debbie gets a little wordy without seeming to move the story along, but if you can hang in there with her, most everything adds to the tale at some point and she is funny.
As an advocate for encouraging boys to read, I would have liked for Joe to take over telling the tale from time to time and add a male perspective to the proceedings. It certainly would be an easier sell to boys if he had a least a share of the narration.
That aside, it would be a great read-aloud in an elementary library. You could read the first chapter and I expect have it checked out for the rest of the year to one child or another (said the former school librarian). I could also see a really good science teacher getting into using this book to build some interest in practical uses of science (“why do we have learn all this stuff?”).
One of the things that kept me going in the early pages was the humor of Debbie’s tale. I can remember being the child in the middle of a seat too full of bodies and being poked by things I'd rather not know what they were. You have the cranky old lady (anyone not remember at least one?), the junk dealer (or recycle center operator if you prefer), the crazy man in blue pickup, a dog, a parrot, the town bullies the mystery in the title, and golden treasure and you have it all.
One final note. If they make an audio book of this, it would make a great way to reduce the number of “are we there yet?” questions and give everyone a topic to discuss. This is a kid’s book parents could listen to.
January 25, 2012
The Jinson Twins, Science Detectives, and the Mystery of Echo Lake by Steven l Zeichner
4 STARS
I was entertained by the book, the science was interesting but some was over my head. I was thinking taking some of the crickets home and listening in a quite room.
I do like how they show reasoning out and how to find out things. Showing science in everyday type of usefulness.
Joe and Debbie Jinson are 12 years old twins being raised by a single mom. They spend a lot of time on their own. This summer instead of going to a camp they are supposed to earn some money and save for collage. They decide to put signs up to do summer jobs.
Finally a old lady hires them and she seams a little batty to me. They are taking things out of boxes and putting them in other boxes down in the basement. Finally Mrs. Gray tells them that her money is gone and she needs to sell the old house. Her husband had a treasure of old gold coins but she could not find it.
The twins think they might of found a map and ask their friend Mr. Benjamin what he thinks. Mr. Benjamin is always showing and asking questions using science tools.
Their is a scary old man that follows the twins and in fact almost ran over them while on their bikes.
Their are three older boys who destroys their signs and threatens them to stop trying to do work.
Joe and Debbie are trying to figure out the clues to the map if it is in fact a map. It is a nice mystery and you might even learn a little too when your done. I would read more about the Jinson twins.
I was given this book from Librarythings member giveaway in exchange of honest review.
PUB 2011 185 pages
4 STARS
I was entertained by the book, the science was interesting but some was over my head. I was thinking taking some of the crickets home and listening in a quite room.
I do like how they show reasoning out and how to find out things. Showing science in everyday type of usefulness.
Joe and Debbie Jinson are 12 years old twins being raised by a single mom. They spend a lot of time on their own. This summer instead of going to a camp they are supposed to earn some money and save for collage. They decide to put signs up to do summer jobs.
Finally a old lady hires them and she seams a little batty to me. They are taking things out of boxes and putting them in other boxes down in the basement. Finally Mrs. Gray tells them that her money is gone and she needs to sell the old house. Her husband had a treasure of old gold coins but she could not find it.
The twins think they might of found a map and ask their friend Mr. Benjamin what he thinks. Mr. Benjamin is always showing and asking questions using science tools.
Their is a scary old man that follows the twins and in fact almost ran over them while on their bikes.
Their are three older boys who destroys their signs and threatens them to stop trying to do work.
Joe and Debbie are trying to figure out the clues to the map if it is in fact a map. It is a nice mystery and you might even learn a little too when your done. I would read more about the Jinson twins.
I was given this book from Librarythings member giveaway in exchange of honest review.
PUB 2011 185 pages
February 19, 2012
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This arrived in my post yesterday and as I finished a book last night I thought I might as well start on this one straight away as it was only 175 pages I knew it wouldn't take me long and I was done in about 2 hours.
The Jinson twins, Debbie and Joe want something to do over summer and so advertise for jobs, when they get hired by Mrs Gray they start to rethink things, but then they get on the trail of some treasure and really get into solving the mystery.
This book isn't like anything I normally read, and I was slightly hesitant about it as I was never really into science at school, but this book is very cleverly done, it isn't too complicated or detailed, it makes the mystery fun and intriguing.
The clue to find the treasure is a sort of riddle that involves echoes, sound distances, cricket chirps and temperature control, I know this sounds like an odd mix and a bit complicated but the way it's put together is genius.
Debbie and Joe are likeable characters and have a great connection with each other, I wanted them to succeed. Mr Benjamin is odd but likeable, he is the brain power behind the mystery and pulls the story on. Mrs Gray is very odd, slightly rude and very proper, but I quite like her quirky behaviour.
The plot was very well thought out and the pacing is really good, the story sweeps you along and I read this in one sitting.
Very cleverly done, a great book for young readers (8-12 years) mainly, but older ones may still enjoy it too. Think it would also be good for slightly younger kids if parents read it to them, they can work out the mystery together.
The Jinson twins, Debbie and Joe want something to do over summer and so advertise for jobs, when they get hired by Mrs Gray they start to rethink things, but then they get on the trail of some treasure and really get into solving the mystery.
This book isn't like anything I normally read, and I was slightly hesitant about it as I was never really into science at school, but this book is very cleverly done, it isn't too complicated or detailed, it makes the mystery fun and intriguing.
The clue to find the treasure is a sort of riddle that involves echoes, sound distances, cricket chirps and temperature control, I know this sounds like an odd mix and a bit complicated but the way it's put together is genius.
Debbie and Joe are likeable characters and have a great connection with each other, I wanted them to succeed. Mr Benjamin is odd but likeable, he is the brain power behind the mystery and pulls the story on. Mrs Gray is very odd, slightly rude and very proper, but I quite like her quirky behaviour.
The plot was very well thought out and the pacing is really good, the story sweeps you along and I read this in one sitting.
Very cleverly done, a great book for young readers (8-12 years) mainly, but older ones may still enjoy it too. Think it would also be good for slightly younger kids if parents read it to them, they can work out the mystery together.
January 19, 2012
The Jinson Twins, Science Detectives and the Mystery of Echo Lake and is a great page turning story for young adults and older people like me! The story is very engaging. I got up in the middle of the night to see how it ended! It has everything, quirky characters, treasure, map and a riddle to solve with the help of science.
The Jinson twins, Debbie who tells the story and her twin brother Joe are quirky on their own right. Their mother tells them that she isn't going to send them to summer camp any more, not going to shell out the money for it any more. So they think that they should do some kind of work instead of spending the time off just pitching pebbles into cans.
They start on a project for a Mrs. Gray and they meet The Captain, a parrot and get involved in more than they ever imagined. Helping them is Mr. Benjamin who owns the Resource Recovery and Recycling Cebter. He drives a truck so old that it may one of the last of the International Harvestor trucks.
This well-crafted mystery brings in several branches of science and teaches the twins to become young detectives.
I would recommend this book to young adults and above who love mysteries. I admit that I was drawn to the book by the cover showing the International Harvester truck with a view of Echo Lake.
I received this book as a win from GoodReads but that in no way influenced my review of this book.
The Jinson twins, Debbie who tells the story and her twin brother Joe are quirky on their own right. Their mother tells them that she isn't going to send them to summer camp any more, not going to shell out the money for it any more. So they think that they should do some kind of work instead of spending the time off just pitching pebbles into cans.
They start on a project for a Mrs. Gray and they meet The Captain, a parrot and get involved in more than they ever imagined. Helping them is Mr. Benjamin who owns the Resource Recovery and Recycling Cebter. He drives a truck so old that it may one of the last of the International Harvestor trucks.
This well-crafted mystery brings in several branches of science and teaches the twins to become young detectives.
I would recommend this book to young adults and above who love mysteries. I admit that I was drawn to the book by the cover showing the International Harvester truck with a view of Echo Lake.
I received this book as a win from GoodReads but that in no way influenced my review of this book.
January 16, 2012
The Jinson Twins, Science Detectives, and The Mystery of Echo Lake by Steven Zeichner.
SO Funny, the air quotes and 'resource recovery and recycling center' and "A" and RA.
Just like a mystery for pre teens, Nancy Drew type mystery or Hardy Boys
Has all the makings of a mystery: map and treasure and mysterious things.
Boys start out trying to find a job for the summer, they are 12 year old twin boys.
One looks like a girl his hair is SO long. They do find a job organizing and old woman's
basement into different categories. Appears to be things from her dead husbands ship.
Some will be kept, some mailed and some sold.
There was even a box of things that Mrs. Gray gave to them to bring home. One such thing
was a scroll with a map drawn on it and some riddles to figure out. It stated that's where
the treasure was. They go to Mr. Benjamin so he can help them with the map and what it
could mean. He's the owner of the junkyard.
Different kids and a man are after them but they don't know why.
Can see how the teaching aids would help kids learn about science: charts, spreadsheets, graphs, etc.
They all head back to Mrs. Gray's house and ask if she can maybe help them solve the mystery.
She can in a way and that's how they start this book out, on their way to Echo Lake to find the treasure.
The yellow jackets almost get them at the lake, and then the other man enters Mrs. Gray house with his gun to get the real treasure.
Love the science things at the end.
SO Funny, the air quotes and 'resource recovery and recycling center' and "A" and RA.
Just like a mystery for pre teens, Nancy Drew type mystery or Hardy Boys
Has all the makings of a mystery: map and treasure and mysterious things.
Boys start out trying to find a job for the summer, they are 12 year old twin boys.
One looks like a girl his hair is SO long. They do find a job organizing and old woman's
basement into different categories. Appears to be things from her dead husbands ship.
Some will be kept, some mailed and some sold.
There was even a box of things that Mrs. Gray gave to them to bring home. One such thing
was a scroll with a map drawn on it and some riddles to figure out. It stated that's where
the treasure was. They go to Mr. Benjamin so he can help them with the map and what it
could mean. He's the owner of the junkyard.
Different kids and a man are after them but they don't know why.
Can see how the teaching aids would help kids learn about science: charts, spreadsheets, graphs, etc.
They all head back to Mrs. Gray's house and ask if she can maybe help them solve the mystery.
She can in a way and that's how they start this book out, on their way to Echo Lake to find the treasure.
The yellow jackets almost get them at the lake, and then the other man enters Mrs. Gray house with his gun to get the real treasure.
Love the science things at the end.
June 26, 2016
Disclosure: I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway in the understanding that I would write a review of it.
This is the author's first fiction book, designed to teach kids about scientific principles in the setting of a mystery.
The science part is pretty good, working plausibly into the plot and well explained with helpful diagrams.
The fiction part not so much. This is one book that could really have benefited from being in tight third person rather than first person, especially as it switches to third person in the middle of sentences a few times, most noticably in the last chapter.
The in media res opening could use more punch--perhaps picking a more suspenseful moment might have helped.
May or may not be a bug; the two descriptions of the treasure's backstory don't quite match up, and I was left to wonder if the character was fibbing during one of the sequences, or the author forgot to go back and check for consistency.
Younger readers might be more forgiving, but I was thrown out of the story multiple times by the narration, which is simultaneously wordy and trying to sound properly immature.
I'll be handing this book off to my young nieces, but I don't expect they'll be asking for seconds.
For more mystery reviews, see http://www.skjam.com/tag/mystery/
This is the author's first fiction book, designed to teach kids about scientific principles in the setting of a mystery.
The science part is pretty good, working plausibly into the plot and well explained with helpful diagrams.
The fiction part not so much. This is one book that could really have benefited from being in tight third person rather than first person, especially as it switches to third person in the middle of sentences a few times, most noticably in the last chapter.
The in media res opening could use more punch--perhaps picking a more suspenseful moment might have helped.
May or may not be a bug; the two descriptions of the treasure's backstory don't quite match up, and I was left to wonder if the character was fibbing during one of the sequences, or the author forgot to go back and check for consistency.
Younger readers might be more forgiving, but I was thrown out of the story multiple times by the narration, which is simultaneously wordy and trying to sound properly immature.
I'll be handing this book off to my young nieces, but I don't expect they'll be asking for seconds.
For more mystery reviews, see http://www.skjam.com/tag/mystery/
March 3, 2012
I won this book in a first-reads giveaway and loved it. This is obviously a book for younger readers, so for me it was a quick read relative to most other books I read. As an educational mystery novel for young readers, this one is first rate.
This story almost feels it's from another era when children could ride their bicycles around for miles, visit with adult friends, and not have to worry about all of the things that end up causing them to be prisoners in their own homes these days. The author does very well at presenting the story from the perspective of the children too.
The only negative point for me in this book is the fact that the Jinson twins' parents are absent. It did come across as odd to me that these boys repeatedly take off on their bikes early in the morning, ride miles to an old woman's home, spend all day there, and come back home without any mention of their parents. It would seem more natural at least to have a little dialog involving the parents.
I'm sure glad I got to read this book. My daughter wants to read it now, and I'm anxious to hear what she has to say about it. I would recommend it highly for children ages 9-12 or so that would appreciate a great mystery novel with some educational value. Two thumbs up from me.
This story almost feels it's from another era when children could ride their bicycles around for miles, visit with adult friends, and not have to worry about all of the things that end up causing them to be prisoners in their own homes these days. The author does very well at presenting the story from the perspective of the children too.
The only negative point for me in this book is the fact that the Jinson twins' parents are absent. It did come across as odd to me that these boys repeatedly take off on their bikes early in the morning, ride miles to an old woman's home, spend all day there, and come back home without any mention of their parents. It would seem more natural at least to have a little dialog involving the parents.
I'm sure glad I got to read this book. My daughter wants to read it now, and I'm anxious to hear what she has to say about it. I would recommend it highly for children ages 9-12 or so that would appreciate a great mystery novel with some educational value. Two thumbs up from me.
July 9, 2012
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
A quick note before we begin: this is definitely a middle grade book.
The Jinson twins are twelve year old Debbie and Joe. The story is told from Debbie's perspective. The twins decide to advertise for summer jobs instead of attending camp. They get hired by Mrs. Gray to clean her house. Mrs. Gray finally tells them that her deceased husband, a sea-captain, left her a stash of gold coins, but she can't find it and now she might lose everything as she's out of money.
There's some helpful adults along the way, like Mr. Benjamin, who runs the recycling center. There's also some villains: three older boys who think the twins are on their 'turf' and a guy in a blue truck who seems to stalk the twins.
The twins learn to use science and reasoning in hunting down the long-lost treasure.
It's a cute mystery story, it reminded me of the ENCYCLOPEDIA BROWN stories. Yeah, I may have dated myself a bit right there. HA!
Aside from a few typos and grammatical errors, the book is wonderful and would be a fun summer read for the middle schoolers!
A quick note before we begin: this is definitely a middle grade book.
The Jinson twins are twelve year old Debbie and Joe. The story is told from Debbie's perspective. The twins decide to advertise for summer jobs instead of attending camp. They get hired by Mrs. Gray to clean her house. Mrs. Gray finally tells them that her deceased husband, a sea-captain, left her a stash of gold coins, but she can't find it and now she might lose everything as she's out of money.
There's some helpful adults along the way, like Mr. Benjamin, who runs the recycling center. There's also some villains: three older boys who think the twins are on their 'turf' and a guy in a blue truck who seems to stalk the twins.
The twins learn to use science and reasoning in hunting down the long-lost treasure.
It's a cute mystery story, it reminded me of the ENCYCLOPEDIA BROWN stories. Yeah, I may have dated myself a bit right there. HA!
Aside from a few typos and grammatical errors, the book is wonderful and would be a fun summer read for the middle schoolers!
March 28, 2012
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Read
This is a short story only 170 pages, so it take may be a day or two to read.
It is a fast read and excellent read for older kids.
The title is speak for itself. The story is about twins, raised by single mom, they supposed to spend summer earning money for college. So they put sign for summer job and get hired by an old lady, while cleaning her basement they find an old map. They believe that it is a treasure map. While old lady tell them that she need to sell the house as she run out of money. Her long pass away husband had a golden coins collection, but it is gone missing. So there are a lot of people seems want to interfere with boys summer job and new discovery , they getting help from Mr. Benjamin who runs Resource Recovery and Recycling Center.
The book is interesting and funny too, there are good touch of mystery and science involved. It is great book for kids, but I enjoyed it as well a lot too.
This is a short story only 170 pages, so it take may be a day or two to read.
It is a fast read and excellent read for older kids.
The title is speak for itself. The story is about twins, raised by single mom, they supposed to spend summer earning money for college. So they put sign for summer job and get hired by an old lady, while cleaning her basement they find an old map. They believe that it is a treasure map. While old lady tell them that she need to sell the house as she run out of money. Her long pass away husband had a golden coins collection, but it is gone missing. So there are a lot of people seems want to interfere with boys summer job and new discovery , they getting help from Mr. Benjamin who runs Resource Recovery and Recycling Center.
The book is interesting and funny too, there are good touch of mystery and science involved. It is great book for kids, but I enjoyed it as well a lot too.
January 13, 2012
12 year old twins Joe and Debbie put up signs tying to get summer jobs since their mom told them that they are too old for expensive summer camps and that they should go out and earn some money.
Their first, and only, job offer comes from a mysterious old woman who lives in an out of the way, tumbling down house who wants help packing things up so she can move. The mystery comes in when the twins find a map that seems to give clues to where to find her late husband's hidden treasure. They must, however use science to solve the mystery, and, assisted by their friend Mr. Benjamin who runs the local "junk yard", they set out to find the missing treasure. The book is well written and interesting and the added bonus of real science in use makes it all the better.
I got this book free to review from The Library Thing.
Their first, and only, job offer comes from a mysterious old woman who lives in an out of the way, tumbling down house who wants help packing things up so she can move. The mystery comes in when the twins find a map that seems to give clues to where to find her late husband's hidden treasure. They must, however use science to solve the mystery, and, assisted by their friend Mr. Benjamin who runs the local "junk yard", they set out to find the missing treasure. The book is well written and interesting and the added bonus of real science in use makes it all the better.
I got this book free to review from The Library Thing.
February 9, 2012
The Jinson Twins was a fun book that I received free from the author for review purposes.
Debbie and Joe are extremely independent kids looking for a summer job to keep them busy as well as earn some money. Little did they know when they embarked on their quest for employment that it would end with them searching for buried treasure with a rather quirky set of friends (humans and animals). Using science skills and hard-work the twins must outwit and outrun the bad guys. The book has a rather nostalgic and innocent feel to it, reminiscent of Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Three Investigators and so forth.
I felt the writing was good but could have been better with more polished editing. The action and the banter keeps the story moving along to make a fun and educational read for kids 4th-6th grade.
Debbie and Joe are extremely independent kids looking for a summer job to keep them busy as well as earn some money. Little did they know when they embarked on their quest for employment that it would end with them searching for buried treasure with a rather quirky set of friends (humans and animals). Using science skills and hard-work the twins must outwit and outrun the bad guys. The book has a rather nostalgic and innocent feel to it, reminiscent of Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Three Investigators and so forth.
I felt the writing was good but could have been better with more polished editing. The action and the banter keeps the story moving along to make a fun and educational read for kids 4th-6th grade.
August 11, 2016
The Jinson Twins, Science Detectives, and The Mystery of Echo Lake is a good book to engage kids in science while they read along to figure out the mystery. I think it's important for kids to know how science and math impacts our everyday lives. The story reminded me a lot of when I was little and voraciously read all the Encyclopedia Brown books. However, instead of the twins knowing all of the information ahead of time, they learn it along the way with the reader. I liked the characters and the adventure; however, I feel both could have benefited from some further background information included to make it more in-depth. Perhaps some of the background got lost in the emphasis on making the book more science-oriented. I enjoyed the story and I learned a bit more about the world myself. I'd love to read future exploits and adventures of the Jinson Twins!
January 10, 2012
This is a very enjoyable mystery geared toward fifth through eighth grade readers. The use of science to solve the mystery gives the novel even more appeal for the older readers. It is refreshingly unique from the majority of books that are currently being released for young readers.
Debbie and Joe have great kid appeal. They are kids being kids. They create a summer business, ride bikes, and search for a solution to Mrs. Gray's mystery. Their dog, Kerby, and Mrs. Gray's parrot, Captain, add color to the tale.
Debbie and Joe have great kid appeal. They are kids being kids. They create a summer business, ride bikes, and search for a solution to Mrs. Gray's mystery. Their dog, Kerby, and Mrs. Gray's parrot, Captain, add color to the tale.
June 6, 2012
The Jinsen Twins Science detectives and Mystery Of echo Lake I found to be a very good Read for all ages actually. I read the book myself and can not wait to pass it on in the family . I have three teachers in my family who are looking forward to reading it also. There is so much mystery and great information included in the story. This is a great book with truth and fiction included in it. Thank you so much for sharing this book with me I won on good reads. Great book for all ages by Steven L Zeichner.
December 28, 2011
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads give-away.
A good mystery filled with quirky characters and even some ominous threats. Would be a great read-aloud for intermediate grades or independent reading for higher readers in 4th/5th grade. The main characters are instantly likeable and the story will hold the interest of both boys and girls. Hope this book will be the first in a series about the Jinson Twins!
A good mystery filled with quirky characters and even some ominous threats. Would be a great read-aloud for intermediate grades or independent reading for higher readers in 4th/5th grade. The main characters are instantly likeable and the story will hold the interest of both boys and girls. Hope this book will be the first in a series about the Jinson Twins!
April 26, 2012
This is a fast paced, cleverly written mystery. The author uses fiction to teach scientific principles while keeping the reader entertained. I think this book would appeal to the average reader as well as the intellectual reader who wants to take learning a step further. It is a "Scooby Doo" meets "CSI" kind of book with an actual experiment at the end of the book for the reader to try at home. It is a great book for tweens who love a good mystery!
December 14, 2011
I loved this book! The characters are quirky, and the author gets the voice of the teenager perfect. The science aspect of the book may sound nerdy, but it's really not. It made me think about how we are surrounded by science but don't really realize it. I would recommend this for anyone who is 10 or older.
Want to read
January 7, 2012I gave this book to my 9 year old grandson as a gift for Christmas. He hasn't had a chance to read it yet since he got a lot of books for Christmas. He is excited about reading it. He says it looks really cool and he does understand some algebra so he didn't seem to think that would be a problem. I am always happy when I can find a book he would like to read.
May 16, 2012
Disclosure: I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway in the understanding that I would write a review of it.
I really enjoyed the way that science was used accessibly in this book. I asked a student to read it, and although he is a reader, he was less engaged in the plot. However, the practical applications and mystery-style still make it a good fit for my classroom shelf.
I really enjoyed the way that science was used accessibly in this book. I asked a student to read it, and although he is a reader, he was less engaged in the plot. However, the practical applications and mystery-style still make it a good fit for my classroom shelf.
January 28, 2012
This was a intersting story that will keep you on the edge of you seat. The author did a wonderful job a with the characters in the story. The twins were so ... well you will just have to read it but I really enjoyed the book and would recommmend as a good read for the younger and on up.
March 31, 2015
Review available at http://moonlit-librarian.blogspot.com...
January 22, 2014
Good middle-grade mystery, with the solution involving principles of math and science.
January 11, 2019
This is a wonderful book that reminded me of my youth so much. Each chapter brought a smile to my face.
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