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FRAMED!: Mystery Force Book Five
Meet Rasheed, Jonathan, and Josephine and their magical animal Maximilian the fire fox, Dan the karkadan, Quetzalcoatl the feathered serpent (but you can call her Quetzy). They're three unique kids who love mysteries (actually they hate mysteries, but they love solving them).
Their fifth adventure finds Rasheed and Dan the karkadan in prison, framed for a crime they didn't commit! Jojo and Jonathan, with the help of Maximilian and Quetzy, must find the real culprit before it's too late. Fabulously fashionable false facades will be unfolded to fool felonious foes!
Their fifth adventure finds Rasheed and Dan the karkadan in prison, framed for a crime they didn't commit! Jojo and Jonathan, with the help of Maximilian and Quetzy, must find the real culprit before it's too late. Fabulously fashionable false facades will be unfolded to fool felonious foes!
102 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 12, 2023
About the author
Ted Neill
92 books74 followersGlobetrotter and writer Ted Neill has worked on five continents as an educator, health professional, and journalist. His writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Recovery Today, and he has published a number of novels exploring issues related to science, religion, class, and social justice. He is the 2013 winner of the Martin Luther King Jr. Torch of Peace Award. His 2017 novel, The Selah Branch, attempts to confront issues of racism and the divided political environment of the US today and the 1950s. His debut novel, City on a Hill, examines the fault lines of religious conflict in the Middle East. His most novel, Reaper Moon, takes place against the backdrop of a global virus pandemic and how the aftermath unfolds along familiar social divides of race and politics. His most recent young adult novel is, Zombies, Frat Boys, Monster Flash Mobs & Other Terrifying Things I Saw at the Gates of Hell Cotillion, doesn’t need a blurb, the title says it all.
He is also author of two award winning memoirs, Two Years of Wonder which chronicles his time living and working at an orphanage for children with HIV/AIDS and Finding St. Lo a combined account of his grandfather Robert Fowler’s WWII experience as well as a decorated medic in his unit, Gordon Cross. Follow Ted on Facebook and Instagram @therealauthortedneill
He is also author of two award winning memoirs, Two Years of Wonder which chronicles his time living and working at an orphanage for children with HIV/AIDS and Finding St. Lo a combined account of his grandfather Robert Fowler’s WWII experience as well as a decorated medic in his unit, Gordon Cross. Follow Ted on Facebook and Instagram @therealauthortedneill
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 8, 2023
A quick and easy kid mystery adventure to read
FRAMED! Mystery Force Book Five was one book I chose to pick up since it seemed a lighthearted but adventurous mystery, which I have always liked but never always got to often throughout the years. The book follows a group of young and diverse tech friends JoJo and Jonathan along with their mythlogical animals to save their friend Rasheed whose been accused of a diamond robbery. The tracks at the scenejust happened to match his wheelchair tires size and is automatically assumed to be guilty by chief police and dire-wolf Fiona making an quick assumption that he's guilty. Which for me brought issue with my rating since Rasheed is the Black one of the group who also just happens to be a wheelchair user and has solved mysteries before. On a personal note it has to do with the issues of the other person, Detective Miller who came to pick him not doing anything further to defend him. The other problem I had with this arrest that's the catalyst for the rest of the story is the fact that Fiona the only female officer is the one who did it all because she's been labeled because of what she is to. Other than both these downsides the adventure went on to solve who did the actual crime was clever and solved in the most ingenious way.
Rasheed, JoJo Jonthan, Max, Simon and the old professor of the villian Sobart Sands, Basil the Basilisk, are very smart with how they connect the dots to figure out the setup and Sands plans. It was a journey for JoJo, Jonathan and Max who were in chase of Sobart Sands that had plenty of surprises that had to be figured out in a rather quick way under a time restraint. A lot of the issues these young kids deal with are risky but show their commitment to each other,themselves and everyones safety. It's quite a journey in this book of the series alone trying while they face major and dangerous inventions of strong robotic hornets and CEO of Sands company. Not to mention Sands and the actions he does which are under the act of his supposed disappearance. But in the end it's about formed relationships, friends in particular benefits since it comes to save you in the right times. This is one solid kid book which demonstrated from start to end how from a young age people can be chose to be good to each other and for that reason alone its definitely a good childrens book. I got through it so fast and was a nice change to read a variety of topics that were covered in this book for younger readers that didn't make so hard to grasp and was often relatable. A solid one in this series that I had up's , downs and in between moments for that were surprises.
May 15, 2023
It's been a while since I read a children's book (even though I love that genre), and I'm glad I read this one so I can recommend it to anyone who asks me about a great children's book (which happens often).
FRAMED!: Mystery Force Book Five by Ted E. Neill is a story of 2 children who decided to have an adventure and put themselves in a huge challenge to save their friend 'Rasheed' after being framed for a crime he didn't commit. The book shows the intelligence of those young friends and how they solve the puzzles throughout the adventure and reach their goals with the help of their magical animal friends.
The adventure was fun to read, and the illustrations were great. But what I like the most is that the story portrays great values such as friendship, loyalty, sacrifice for the right cause, and courage, and I think it's important for children to read that type of content. It was heartwarming to read this book because it reminded me of the old Animes I used to watch when I was a kid, those stories where the power of friendship and loyalty was a dominant theme.
Also, I personally liked some of the names of the book's characters (specifically Rasheed and Basil) because in my native language (Arabic), we have those names, and it makes me feel connected to the story even more since I have family members who hold the same names.
I also liked that the story has a disabled character; it highlights the fact that adventures and fighting for a cause are not exclusive to one category of people.
In brief, I liked a lot of things about this book, and I highly recommend it to adults who enjoy reading children's content, and of course, I highly recommend it to children.
FRAMED!: Mystery Force Book Five by Ted E. Neill is a story of 2 children who decided to have an adventure and put themselves in a huge challenge to save their friend 'Rasheed' after being framed for a crime he didn't commit. The book shows the intelligence of those young friends and how they solve the puzzles throughout the adventure and reach their goals with the help of their magical animal friends.
The adventure was fun to read, and the illustrations were great. But what I like the most is that the story portrays great values such as friendship, loyalty, sacrifice for the right cause, and courage, and I think it's important for children to read that type of content. It was heartwarming to read this book because it reminded me of the old Animes I used to watch when I was a kid, those stories where the power of friendship and loyalty was a dominant theme.
Also, I personally liked some of the names of the book's characters (specifically Rasheed and Basil) because in my native language (Arabic), we have those names, and it makes me feel connected to the story even more since I have family members who hold the same names.
I also liked that the story has a disabled character; it highlights the fact that adventures and fighting for a cause are not exclusive to one category of people.
In brief, I liked a lot of things about this book, and I highly recommend it to adults who enjoy reading children's content, and of course, I highly recommend it to children.
May 1, 2023
"Framed: Mystery Force Book Five" by Author Ted E. Neill tells the exquisite adventures of three brave children who in the company of their animal friends confront deeply-hidden puzzles and riddles in a breath-taking display of supernatural abilities, deep-seated will and resolute passion despite their young age.
The three would face their greatest test ever after challenging the unfair arrest of their two friends, Rasheed and Dan the Karkadan. It is sad to learn that even after the occurrence of another bank robbery the authorities would have none of their plea for release despite being in custody throughout the night of the heist. The quest to trace the real culprit is extremely adrenalizing and precarious, to give both children and adult readers a thrilling experience as they guess the next move.
As every magical text is expected to reveal, the children characters in this text have created a sense of new surprises and mysteries around almost every new page. In addition to that, the high-stakes conflict and inclusion of animal characters have produced an incredibly rich and dense storyline that readers can completely immerse themselves in. Epic!
The three would face their greatest test ever after challenging the unfair arrest of their two friends, Rasheed and Dan the Karkadan. It is sad to learn that even after the occurrence of another bank robbery the authorities would have none of their plea for release despite being in custody throughout the night of the heist. The quest to trace the real culprit is extremely adrenalizing and precarious, to give both children and adult readers a thrilling experience as they guess the next move.
As every magical text is expected to reveal, the children characters in this text have created a sense of new surprises and mysteries around almost every new page. In addition to that, the high-stakes conflict and inclusion of animal characters have produced an incredibly rich and dense storyline that readers can completely immerse themselves in. Epic!
May 10, 2023
A quick read full of adventure, mystery and fantasy...
Framed: Mystery Force Book Five follows the story of a gang of mystery-solving kids and their mythical friends with powers. The story begins with one of them being framed for a crime, while the others take it upon themselves to prove his innocence. What follows is a fun, light-hearted story that young readers will definitely enjoy. The illustrations are great and also helped break the monotony of long walls of solid text.
Having not read any of the previous books in this series, I had no trouble following along and quickly caught onto the different characters. A couple of pages in, and I found myself sucked into trying to solve the mystery too.
I loved that the author included characters who are differently abled. It's not often that you come across children's books with disabled characters. As a children's book, I also liked that throughout, there were subtle, yet great lessons to learn that the author brought out creatively. The book also tackled common themes like stereotyping and helped explain common misconceptions associated with stereotyping.
All in all, I'd recommend this book. It was a fun and quick read!
Framed: Mystery Force Book Five follows the story of a gang of mystery-solving kids and their mythical friends with powers. The story begins with one of them being framed for a crime, while the others take it upon themselves to prove his innocence. What follows is a fun, light-hearted story that young readers will definitely enjoy. The illustrations are great and also helped break the monotony of long walls of solid text.
Having not read any of the previous books in this series, I had no trouble following along and quickly caught onto the different characters. A couple of pages in, and I found myself sucked into trying to solve the mystery too.
I loved that the author included characters who are differently abled. It's not often that you come across children's books with disabled characters. As a children's book, I also liked that throughout, there were subtle, yet great lessons to learn that the author brought out creatively. The book also tackled common themes like stereotyping and helped explain common misconceptions associated with stereotyping.
All in all, I'd recommend this book. It was a fun and quick read!
April 26, 2023
Ted E. Neill's FRAMED!: Mystery Force Book Five, illustrated by Suzi Spooner, is an exciting and enchanting adventure that will fascinate young readers. The story follows three distinct children and their animal companions as they confront evildoers and monsters, shattering the preconceptions and expectations of people who dismiss them. In this fifth adventure, the gang must clear their friends' names and locate the true perpetrator of the crime for which they were falsely accused. The plot is exciting, suspenseful, and full of surprising twists, and the characters are well-developed and relatable. The fantastic universe is brought to life by Neill's words and Spooner's pictures, producing an amazing reading experience. Neill's writing and Spooner's illustrations bring the magical world to life, creating an unforgettable reading experience. This book is perfect for children who love mystery and magic and will leave them eager for the next adventure of the Mystery Force.
May 9, 2023
As someone who has never read any of the previous books in the series, I was initially hesitant to dive into "FRAMED!" But I'm glad I did! Neill has created a world full of captivating characters, and the interweaving of different faiths with mythological animals performing human tasks and communicating in human language is a fascinating concept. The illustrations are of high quality and greatly enhance the overall visual appeal of the work.
Children who enjoy solving puzzles will appreciate this book, as it not only entertains but also imparts valuable lessons on the importance of standing up for what is right and fighting against injustice. Additionally, the book effectively addresses issues of prejudice and discrimination in a manner that is both relatable and age-appropriate. It serves as an excellent addition to the series and is equally enjoyable as a standalone read.
Children who enjoy solving puzzles will appreciate this book, as it not only entertains but also imparts valuable lessons on the importance of standing up for what is right and fighting against injustice. Additionally, the book effectively addresses issues of prejudice and discrimination in a manner that is both relatable and age-appropriate. It serves as an excellent addition to the series and is equally enjoyable as a standalone read.
April 26, 2023
My eight year old nephew repeatedly made mention of how this is among his favorites books that we have read together. For context, we read together several times a week, and we have been doing so for several years now. Suffice to say, we read a LOT of books together, and for some reason, FRAMED! sits atop his list of favorites.
A mystery lover myself, I was impressed with the depth and quality of the story, considering it is tailored to younger children. I even found myself captivated at times!! I will certainly keep an eye out for more of author Neill's work. His style is appreciated around here!
A mystery lover myself, I was impressed with the depth and quality of the story, considering it is tailored to younger children. I even found myself captivated at times!! I will certainly keep an eye out for more of author Neill's work. His style is appreciated around here!
May 25, 2023
I thought that this was a really unique and creative children's book. The quality and frequency of the art is excellent, and it has a fun plot. It also includes differently abled characters. And it calls attention to the benefits of handicap-accessible facilities. I have never seen differently abled advocacy of this form before in ANY book, whether children's or adult's.
Though I will say, this book has a lot of characters, is quite fast-paced, and it offers no introduction or anything else to keep the reader up to speed from the start. So, it does not serve well at all as a standalone book. But it is still very enjoyable and unique, and any kid of reading age would enjoy it.
Though I will say, this book has a lot of characters, is quite fast-paced, and it offers no introduction or anything else to keep the reader up to speed from the start. So, it does not serve well at all as a standalone book. But it is still very enjoyable and unique, and any kid of reading age would enjoy it.
May 4, 2023
Love the puzzles and riddles woven into the plot. The children are clever and their animal friends purely magical. I have read other books in the series, and this one does not disappoint. Neill manages to wave his magical writing wand into a captivating and suspenseful story. The plot is intricate, but at the end, Neill pulls everything together expertly. I think kids will finds this a "cool" keeper, and parents might even enjoy the read, too!
May 4, 2023
Rasheed sighed and put his chin on his hand, "I don't know if I'll ever get out of here."
"Don't lose hope," Basil said.
We have what appears to be a gang of youngsters who solve crimes. Think of them as Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys, but way smarter and with access to futuristic technology. One of them is accused of a string of crimes, imprisoned, and his mates have to work to prove his innocence.
What I liked about this story is it hit the ground running. Maybe that was because it’s book 5 in a series, so we really don’t need a lengthy set up, but it was well done. Speaking of which, I had no trouble enjoying and following the story despite the fact I’ve never read the first 4 instalments.
The only word of caution I will give adult readers is that this is a kids’ story. If you ignore what seems to be illogical plot lines, especially where the justice system is concerned, you’ll actually have loads of fun reading this book.
I have to give the author a shout out for inclusivity. As a disabled person myself, it’s always a treat reading stories featuring the disabled. What made this better than most is that the story is not about Rasheed or any character’s disability. Being in a wheelchair is just another characteristic, just like someone might be tall or have black hair.
There’re also issues of stereotypes and incorrect generalisations dealt with in the story. The author manages to frame it in a way that’s digestible to children without preaching to them.
Neill is a brilliant author. I hope to read more from him, especially in this series. BTW, the following quote is entirely coincidental. It has no bearing on my opinion of the amount of books in this series, lol.
"You kids, you are like cockroaches! You keep coming back."
"Don't lose hope," Basil said.
We have what appears to be a gang of youngsters who solve crimes. Think of them as Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys, but way smarter and with access to futuristic technology. One of them is accused of a string of crimes, imprisoned, and his mates have to work to prove his innocence.
What I liked about this story is it hit the ground running. Maybe that was because it’s book 5 in a series, so we really don’t need a lengthy set up, but it was well done. Speaking of which, I had no trouble enjoying and following the story despite the fact I’ve never read the first 4 instalments.
The only word of caution I will give adult readers is that this is a kids’ story. If you ignore what seems to be illogical plot lines, especially where the justice system is concerned, you’ll actually have loads of fun reading this book.
I have to give the author a shout out for inclusivity. As a disabled person myself, it’s always a treat reading stories featuring the disabled. What made this better than most is that the story is not about Rasheed or any character’s disability. Being in a wheelchair is just another characteristic, just like someone might be tall or have black hair.
There’re also issues of stereotypes and incorrect generalisations dealt with in the story. The author manages to frame it in a way that’s digestible to children without preaching to them.
Neill is a brilliant author. I hope to read more from him, especially in this series. BTW, the following quote is entirely coincidental. It has no bearing on my opinion of the amount of books in this series, lol.
"You kids, you are like cockroaches! You keep coming back."
April 28, 2023
Framed is part of a series about tech-savvy kids who solve mysteries with the help of some mythological animal companions. The plot kicks off when one of the kids, Rasheed, is falsely accused of a diamond robbery based on tracks resembling his wheelchair being found at the scene. While he is jailed under the suspicious gaze of a direwolf-policewoman named Fiona, he befriends an imprisoned basilisk who may hold a valuable clue to the mystery. Meanwhile, his friends race to find out who the real thief is and clear Rasheed's name.
I would not call myself a reading level expert, but I would say this book is suitable for grades 2-5, give or take a year. It's a quick-paced, fun read, somewhat silly but good-hearted. It also aims to be very inclusive in its diverse cast of child characters, but not in a way that feels forced or heavy-handed. The animal companion characters add a distinct zest to the story that makes it stand out within its genre.
I would not call myself a reading level expert, but I would say this book is suitable for grades 2-5, give or take a year. It's a quick-paced, fun read, somewhat silly but good-hearted. It also aims to be very inclusive in its diverse cast of child characters, but not in a way that feels forced or heavy-handed. The animal companion characters add a distinct zest to the story that makes it stand out within its genre.
May 4, 2023
Love the puzzles and riddles woven into the plot. The children are clever and their animal friends purely magical. I have read other books in the series, and this one does not disappoint. Neill manages to wave his magical writing wand into a captivating and suspenseful story. The plot is intricate, but at the end, Neill pulls everything together expertly. I think kids will finds this a "cool" keeper, and parents might even enjoy the read, too!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews