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Double Vision #1
Double Vision
Fans of 39 Clues and Artemis Fowl will enjoy the fun, fresh thrill ride through this humorous, action-packed adventure from debut author F. T. Bradley.
In the trilogy opener, twelve-year-old Lincoln Baker finds himself in a world of trouble! First, Linc’s seemingly harmless prank on a school field trip ends in expulsion and a lawsuit. Then two mysterious figures from a secret government agency called Pandora show up at Linc’s house with a proposition for him.
Turns out Linc looks exactly like one of Pandora’s top kid agents, Benjamin Green, who vanished while on a critical spy mission in Paris. If Linc agrees to take his place, they’ll get him back in school and make that costly lawsuit disappear.
But the mission is a lot more complicated than it seems. A highly valuable copy of the Mona Lisa has gone missing and now Linc must make sure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Too bad Linc isn’t a black belt math genius who can run a four-minute mile like his double, Ben, because he’ll need those skills to make it out alive. . . .
In the trilogy opener, twelve-year-old Lincoln Baker finds himself in a world of trouble! First, Linc’s seemingly harmless prank on a school field trip ends in expulsion and a lawsuit. Then two mysterious figures from a secret government agency called Pandora show up at Linc’s house with a proposition for him.
Turns out Linc looks exactly like one of Pandora’s top kid agents, Benjamin Green, who vanished while on a critical spy mission in Paris. If Linc agrees to take his place, they’ll get him back in school and make that costly lawsuit disappear.
But the mission is a lot more complicated than it seems. A highly valuable copy of the Mona Lisa has gone missing and now Linc must make sure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Too bad Linc isn’t a black belt math genius who can run a four-minute mile like his double, Ben, because he’ll need those skills to make it out alive. . . .
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 16, 2012
19 people are currently reading
2049 people want to read
About the author
Fleur T. Bradley
6 books221 followersFleur (F.T.) Bradley is the author of Double Vision and the (spooky) middle-grade mystery Midnight at the Barclay Hotel (Viking Children’s, Aug. 2020), set in the fictional Barclay Hotel, inspired by the Stanley. Her story “The Perfect Alibi” appeared in Mystery Writers of America’s middle-grade anthology Super Puzzletastic Mysteries, edited by Chris Grabenstein (June 2020, HarperCollins). She regularly does school and Skype visits, as well as librarian and educator conference talks on reaching reluctant readers. Originally from the Netherlands, she now lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and two daughters, and entirely too many cats.
For more information on Fleur and her books, visit www.ftbradley.com or follow her on Twitter @FTBradleyAuthor
For more information on Fleur and her books, visit www.ftbradley.com or follow her on Twitter @FTBradleyAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
October 15, 2012
I was lucky enough to get my hands on an ARC of this wonderful book.
Lincoln Baker is a normal twelve-year-old boy. He likes skateboarding and hanging out with his friends. He's bright, but not a terribly great student. And he's impulsive, especially on field trips. During a trip to a chicken farm, he frees the birds with disastrous results.
He's been suspended from school, and his parents (not terribly well off) are being sued by the farmer. But there may be a way out. Two agents show up on his doorstep and want Linc to pose as a missing agent, a missing kid super agent, who Linc just happens to look exactly like.
Through some sneaky maneuvers, the agents convince the Bakers to let Linc join them for "boot camp." Instead, he's off to Paris after a crash course in all things Benjamin Green, agent extraordinaire. Of course, the one short assignment turns into a race around Paris, a search for a shady Da Vinci painting, dealing with a French family with a big secret, dodging bad guys galore and solving puzzles and ciphers.
The book is being marketed for Middle-Grade Reluctant Readers. I think it hits the mark. The pace never bogs down, the mystery is fun to follow, and the characters are well-drawn. Not so reluctant readers will enjoy it, too. And so will more than a few parents.
Linc's voice is fresh, funny and real. He's a typical kid with a sarcastic edge but a great heart. This is a fun start to what promises to be a wonderful series of adventures. I've recommended it to several friends with children in the age range.
Lincoln Baker is a normal twelve-year-old boy. He likes skateboarding and hanging out with his friends. He's bright, but not a terribly great student. And he's impulsive, especially on field trips. During a trip to a chicken farm, he frees the birds with disastrous results.
He's been suspended from school, and his parents (not terribly well off) are being sued by the farmer. But there may be a way out. Two agents show up on his doorstep and want Linc to pose as a missing agent, a missing kid super agent, who Linc just happens to look exactly like.
Through some sneaky maneuvers, the agents convince the Bakers to let Linc join them for "boot camp." Instead, he's off to Paris after a crash course in all things Benjamin Green, agent extraordinaire. Of course, the one short assignment turns into a race around Paris, a search for a shady Da Vinci painting, dealing with a French family with a big secret, dodging bad guys galore and solving puzzles and ciphers.
The book is being marketed for Middle-Grade Reluctant Readers. I think it hits the mark. The pace never bogs down, the mystery is fun to follow, and the characters are well-drawn. Not so reluctant readers will enjoy it, too. And so will more than a few parents.
Linc's voice is fresh, funny and real. He's a typical kid with a sarcastic edge but a great heart. This is a fun start to what promises to be a wonderful series of adventures. I've recommended it to several friends with children in the age range.
June 3, 2018
A really good book! I won't say adults will love it because it's a middle-grade book. But I know that it will surely be a hit for all the young readers out there.
October 29, 2012
I didn't read this book, my son did. And he loved it, his nose was glued to it (he's almost eight, but reads well above his grade level). In fact, a day or so after finishing it he lamented that he wasn't still reading it. It really has been, as far as I can tell, the best book he's read. It was also fun for me, as a parent, to lie on his bed with him at night and use the codes to crack the riddles within the book. Highly recommend, and we're definitely getting the second as soon as it comes out.
November 12, 2012
I just finished reading Double Vision to my daughters (ages 8 and 6)
We had a blast reading this book. Every night when it was time to close the cover they'd both whine and beg for one more chapter. I finally learned to close the book one chapter early so I could say yes to their request for more.
Linc is a great character - we all loved watching him go from having "Linc Disasters" that nearly ruined his life, to creating "Linc Disasters" that saved his skin.
Francoise and Henry were great sidekicks. As the mother of 2 daughters, I always love seeing fiesty, intelligent girls on the page! And Henry is the perfect geek - We loved his Benjamin Green fanboy start and his Agent Q like knack for inventing spy gadgets.
Double Vision combined the best of James Bond, the Da Vinci Code and pitch perfect kid voice and feel. There was enough danger to keep the tension high, and just enough violence to keep it real. Actions had consequences, and those consequences just brought the tension higher as we wondered how Linc would wiggle his way out of his latest mess.
The humor in the book is spot on and had my girls giggling more than a few times.
While this book is definitely a "boy book" - my daughters still really enjoyed it. They loved the action, the mystery, the code breaking and the edge-of-your-seat adventures.
My kids also loved the Paris backdrop. It's a place that has been on our "to see" list for a couple of years now, and my kids have made me promise that when we go we'll bring Double Vision with us and read it again. They're planning a Double Vision tour of Paris, with lots of stops for pastries!
We had a blast reading this book. Every night when it was time to close the cover they'd both whine and beg for one more chapter. I finally learned to close the book one chapter early so I could say yes to their request for more.
Linc is a great character - we all loved watching him go from having "Linc Disasters" that nearly ruined his life, to creating "Linc Disasters" that saved his skin.
Francoise and Henry were great sidekicks. As the mother of 2 daughters, I always love seeing fiesty, intelligent girls on the page! And Henry is the perfect geek - We loved his Benjamin Green fanboy start and his Agent Q like knack for inventing spy gadgets.
Double Vision combined the best of James Bond, the Da Vinci Code and pitch perfect kid voice and feel. There was enough danger to keep the tension high, and just enough violence to keep it real. Actions had consequences, and those consequences just brought the tension higher as we wondered how Linc would wiggle his way out of his latest mess.
The humor in the book is spot on and had my girls giggling more than a few times.
While this book is definitely a "boy book" - my daughters still really enjoyed it. They loved the action, the mystery, the code breaking and the edge-of-your-seat adventures.
My kids also loved the Paris backdrop. It's a place that has been on our "to see" list for a couple of years now, and my kids have made me promise that when we go we'll bring Double Vision with us and read it again. They're planning a Double Vision tour of Paris, with lots of stops for pastries!
November 23, 2012
I got FT Bradley's DOUBLE VISION after hearing her speak at a literature festival. I've got a ten year old who has gotten into novels in a big way, but had yet to be introduced down the thriller avenue of fiction. She came to me repeatedly during her reading, all grins, saying, "Hey mama, you gotta hear this!" So, without further delay, I am turning it over to dictation so that my littlest housebeast can tell you what was so great about DOUBLE VISION:
"I love it! It was funny. It was exciting and complicated in a fun way. There were some great surprises and I like how nervous I got for Linc, but he turned out to be smarter than he thought he was. I think I like reading about scary adventures more than I want to have them."
As soon as she had closed the back cover, she immediately asked if we could go out and buy the next installment of Lincoln Baker's adventures. That's got to be a good endorsement. Just to be sure, I told her that the stars went from one for I didn't like it to five for it was amazing. Without hesitation, she gave DOUBLE VISION five stars.
Nice!
From a parent's point of view, fiction is an invaluable way for kids to stretch their imaginations and their emotional muscles. Any book that earns a smile like that and ignites her to begging for a trip to the bookstore gets my vote.
"I love it! It was funny. It was exciting and complicated in a fun way. There were some great surprises and I like how nervous I got for Linc, but he turned out to be smarter than he thought he was. I think I like reading about scary adventures more than I want to have them."
As soon as she had closed the back cover, she immediately asked if we could go out and buy the next installment of Lincoln Baker's adventures. That's got to be a good endorsement. Just to be sure, I told her that the stars went from one for I didn't like it to five for it was amazing. Without hesitation, she gave DOUBLE VISION five stars.
Nice!
From a parent's point of view, fiction is an invaluable way for kids to stretch their imaginations and their emotional muscles. Any book that earns a smile like that and ignites her to begging for a trip to the bookstore gets my vote.
October 23, 2012
Secret agent kids? Lookalikes/doubles? Parisian intrigue? Lost art? Puzzles and codes? Cool gadgets? Catacombs? Chickens?? Yes! I'm in! This is a fast-paced, smartly written mystery/adventure -- the first in a planned middle-grade series -- that kids, especially boys, will love to read. OK, so Lincoln Baker's parents don't know he's been shipped off to Paris on a secret mission. He can't exactly tell them. But it's his only hope of getting his parents out of a lawsuit he's triggered on a class field trip (a chicken farm prank went awry). And the stakes raise with every chapter. Linc's an adventurous troublemaker with a good heart. I'll follow him anywhere. Great read.
November 30, 2014
REVIEW: DOUBLE VISION
This is a Goodreads First Reads win. An appealing story aimed at a middle-grade audience, DOUBLE VISION inaugurates a series starring 7th-grader Lincoln ("Linc") Baker. Troublemaking Linc (really, he just can't resist) discovers that even though his parents, teacher, principal, and friends despair, he can be both useful and important: to a covert government spy agency, Pandora.
DOUBLE VISION is told as first-person narrative, quite delightfully so.
This is a Goodreads First Reads win. An appealing story aimed at a middle-grade audience, DOUBLE VISION inaugurates a series starring 7th-grader Lincoln ("Linc") Baker. Troublemaking Linc (really, he just can't resist) discovers that even though his parents, teacher, principal, and friends despair, he can be both useful and important: to a covert government spy agency, Pandora.
DOUBLE VISION is told as first-person narrative, quite delightfully so.
October 16, 2012
I received this book as an ARC and I got halfway through it before my son took it away from me. (I'd mentioned I was reading a book he might be interested in and he stole it right out from under my nose.)
The reason I mention this is because there were a couple moments in which I, as an adult reader, had some trouble accepting certain aspects, like CIA agents dropping in on parents and feeding them a random story about how Linc - their son - was a punk who needed boot camp...and then go on to recruit their son into a super-spy lifestyle. Kinda defies logic.
HOWEVER.
I am an adult. And nowhere was this made more clear to me than when my 10-year-old son snatched the book away and proceeded to read it cover-to-cover in the space of a day.
He came back to me and told me he loved it. I asked him what he loved about it. His answers: action, adventure, twists and turns! He liked the surprises. (Who is really the bad guy? Etc.)I wanted to ask him - what about the chickens (read the book)? Do you really believe that CIA agents would show up at a house and recruit a kid? In short, I wanted to ask him all of the adult questions that an adult reader demands of a book.
I sat back down with the book - now that I was allowed to have it. I contemplated it. I started it again and tried to imagine myself as a ten-year-old boy. Then I saw it: this book has everything kids like:
1. A smart, funny main character. Linc reminds me very much of Ash on Pokemon. (Bear with me.) Ash has left his family in search of adventure and training. He's off exploring the world on his own terms and he has a good heart. Linc leaves his family - to help them. He doesn't want his folks to suffer. The choices he makes are based on his internal compass.
2. The classic "You are chosen for something important." Every kid - I don't care who they are, where they come from or whatever - wants to be special. They want to be part of something bigger than themselves. Harry in Harry Potter wants to be loved and accepted. Kids live vicariously through heroes like this. Linc has been chosen to beat bad guys and right wrongs. That's fun stuff.
3. Hero's journey! I mean, come on, Luke had to leave Tatooine - Dorothy had to leave Oz - Frodo had to leave the Shire. Linc has to leave the U.S. for Paris...and kids can actually aspire to go there.
4. Twins/lookalikes. Sweet Valley High and all the spinoffs went for years. Parent Trap. Nuf said.
So, it turns out - despite my hesitant start - I really enjoyed this book. Kinda harkens me back to afternoons of cartoons. Over-the-top, just-for-fun fun.
~Jenny
P.S. Every year my son's school allows Halloween costumes...if the costume is of a character in a book. My kiddo has chosen to go as Linc. I've told him he's not allowed on field trips for that day.
The reason I mention this is because there were a couple moments in which I, as an adult reader, had some trouble accepting certain aspects, like CIA agents dropping in on parents and feeding them a random story about how Linc - their son - was a punk who needed boot camp...and then go on to recruit their son into a super-spy lifestyle. Kinda defies logic.
HOWEVER.
I am an adult. And nowhere was this made more clear to me than when my 10-year-old son snatched the book away and proceeded to read it cover-to-cover in the space of a day.
He came back to me and told me he loved it. I asked him what he loved about it. His answers: action, adventure, twists and turns! He liked the surprises. (Who is really the bad guy? Etc.)I wanted to ask him - what about the chickens (read the book)? Do you really believe that CIA agents would show up at a house and recruit a kid? In short, I wanted to ask him all of the adult questions that an adult reader demands of a book.
I sat back down with the book - now that I was allowed to have it. I contemplated it. I started it again and tried to imagine myself as a ten-year-old boy. Then I saw it: this book has everything kids like:
1. A smart, funny main character. Linc reminds me very much of Ash on Pokemon. (Bear with me.) Ash has left his family in search of adventure and training. He's off exploring the world on his own terms and he has a good heart. Linc leaves his family - to help them. He doesn't want his folks to suffer. The choices he makes are based on his internal compass.
2. The classic "You are chosen for something important." Every kid - I don't care who they are, where they come from or whatever - wants to be special. They want to be part of something bigger than themselves. Harry in Harry Potter wants to be loved and accepted. Kids live vicariously through heroes like this. Linc has been chosen to beat bad guys and right wrongs. That's fun stuff.
3. Hero's journey! I mean, come on, Luke had to leave Tatooine - Dorothy had to leave Oz - Frodo had to leave the Shire. Linc has to leave the U.S. for Paris...and kids can actually aspire to go there.
4. Twins/lookalikes. Sweet Valley High and all the spinoffs went for years. Parent Trap. Nuf said.
So, it turns out - despite my hesitant start - I really enjoyed this book. Kinda harkens me back to afternoons of cartoons. Over-the-top, just-for-fun fun.
~Jenny
P.S. Every year my son's school allows Halloween costumes...if the costume is of a character in a book. My kiddo has chosen to go as Linc. I've told him he's not allowed on field trips for that day.
July 27, 2013
Double Vision by F.T. Bradley – Adventure, 4th grade and up – Combine Alex Rider with Joey Pigza and you get Linc. Whether he is getting chickens pooping on his head or starting a tomato food fight, Linc always means to do the right thing but his impulses get the best of him. Unfortunately, his most recent actions have terrible consequences and he ends up having to make a deal with a secret government service to go under cover as an agent double for a young agent who looks exactly like him. I really enjoyed this quick paced, humorous, interesting, code-packed, adventure novel. I think my favorite parts of the book are the beginning lines of the chapters: “It all started with a field trip.” and “If this were a movie, now would be the part where they play some pumped-up tune, showing me running, sweating, and learning all about Benjamin Green while guzzling energy drinks…” and “One time in Kindergarten, I punched a girl in the shoulder…” What a fun, quick book. It was nice to read something like this for a summer selection. I highly recommend it!
December 5, 2018
Alex Rider fans will absolutely, positively love this book
It has more surprises than I'd anticipated.
Lincoln Baker (Linc) is a big trouble maker.
Throughout his life, he has somehow managed to attract troubles like taking a five year old kid to a candy store. (You get me, don't you?)
But when his school took a field trip to a Chicken Farm, Linc finds himself in another trouble again.
The farmer sues his family (which as far as I've heard, is a common thing to do in America)
He does not belong to a very wealthy family. But he gets a chance to save a million dollars with his family and he takes it.
He tells his parents that he will be joining a "camp" (the one where "messed up kids" are taught to be "less messed up")
But actually he sets off in a mission and goes to Paris (and that's NOT a spoiler)
This book was really something refreshing. I realised that I wasn't going through a slump and I did have interest in books.
It has more surprises than I'd anticipated.
Lincoln Baker (Linc) is a big trouble maker.
Throughout his life, he has somehow managed to attract troubles like taking a five year old kid to a candy store. (You get me, don't you?)
But when his school took a field trip to a Chicken Farm, Linc finds himself in another trouble again.
The farmer sues his family (which as far as I've heard, is a common thing to do in America)
He does not belong to a very wealthy family. But he gets a chance to save a million dollars with his family and he takes it.
He tells his parents that he will be joining a "camp" (the one where "messed up kids" are taught to be "less messed up")
But actually he sets off in a mission and goes to Paris (and that's NOT a spoiler)
This book was really something refreshing. I realised that I wasn't going through a slump and I did have interest in books.
October 27, 2012
The other day I came home from work to have my 8-year-old son at the door with this giant smile on his face. He's reading Double Vision by F.T. Bradley, and he couldn't wait to tell me about the mess of trouble the main character, Linc, has gotten himself into. I have never had my son so excited about a book. Each night my son reads further into Double Vision, and each night he's giggling and smiling to himself as Linc dives deeper into his adventure.
The prose sings, the story is a delight and the humor is pitch perfect not only for kids but for dads reading along. Can't wait to see what happens next to Linc!
Highly recommended.
The prose sings, the story is a delight and the humor is pitch perfect not only for kids but for dads reading along. Can't wait to see what happens next to Linc!
Highly recommended.
October 22, 2013
First Paragraph: IT ALL STARTED WITH A FIELD TRIP. AND BEFORE you start expecting stuff about Greek gods or me being bitten by a spider that turned me into some kind of superhero—sorry to disappoint you. This isn’t one of those stories. At least my field trip wasn’t to a museum, but it wasn’t anywhere cool like Universal Studios either. I go to Lompoc Middle School in California, where expectations are high, but the budget is low. So for our field trip, we went to a chicken farm. Which actually turned out to change my life.
What a great opening paragraph that is, Esteemed Reader. I could spend the whole review talking about it (don't worry, I won't). It hooks the reader in the last sentence with a straight throat grab. Less subtle openings get set aside:) The reader has to wonder how a trip to a chicken farm can change someone's life. But more important than establishing setting, which Bradley does, smoothly, this opening paragraph establishes tone (and possibly voice, though the way editors talk about voice sometimes, I'm not sure I know what voice is anymore or if I ever did).
So 12-year-old Lincoln Baker, or Linc, is at a chicken farm with his sixth-grade class, in a scene written with amusing descriptions, such as:
One of the chickens made a noise and pooped. Then another did the same: chirp, then poop. Chirp, poop.
I'm not going to spoil it for you, but in a hilarious episode, Linc manages to be swarmed by chickens and the whole thing ends up on YouTube. Linc lands himself in big-time trouble as Farmer Johnson hires some big shot lawyers and threatens to sue his poor (formerly middle class, I'm sure) family for everything they've got. And, of course, Linc's in trouble at home. Witness how Bradley tells us about her protagonist while expertly rooting the exposition in conflict as Mom deals out the punishment:
Mom had just come off her shift when we got home around one, and she was waiting in my room, ready to let me have it.
I’ll save you the whole Linc-Is-in-Trouble-Again speech, because if you’ve ever been in trouble, you know what those sound like.
Here’s the recap.
1. I was grounded for the rest of the year (it was November, but still).
2. No TV, even though all these new shows are on (an argument that fell on deaf ears with Mom).
3. No skateboarding (my sole mode of transportation). Not that it mattered—see number one.
4. No going over to Daryl’s, who has an Xbox, unlike me. So no video games, even if I just got to level five on Racing Mania Seven (another argument that fell on deaf ears).
It's all fun and games until secret government agents show up. They've seen Linc's chicken antics on YouTube (tax dollars well spent) and they have an intriguing proposition:
“What’s this?” I looked at the grainy picture of a kid, in black cargo pants and a black polo shirt. He had dark hair, blue eyes—and he looked just like me, just a lot more serious. “There’s this blond streak down the front of his hair, but …”
“Looks just like you, right?” Agent Fullerton looked excited. “Uncanny.”
“What? Everyone has a double.” I handed the creepy picture back and sat down in one of the plastic lawn chairs. “Why are you here?”
“One of the kids from your class stuck a video of you at the chicken farm on YouTube. Our scanning software has been searching for a match, but we didn’t think you’d be this close.” Agent Fullerton tucked the picture back in his pocket. “We’re here to make you an offer. The kid in the picture is Benjamin Green. He’s one of Pandora’s top secret agents—and he’s gone … missing.”
I could tell you more, but we all know where this is going right? Lincoln Baker is about to pose as a secret agent on an incredible mission during which he may just save the world! Maybe. But the great thing about Double Vision is you don't know where it's going. All of this happens by chapter 3! Bradley establishes our protagonist and his motivations:
Now, this is what you would call an impossible dilemma. Right? I agree to this, and my family’s troubles will be taken care of, but I would put my life in danger. I don’t do this, the Bakers might be bankrupt and homeless.
My two favorite things about Double Vision are Bradley's pace and tone. This book moves as fast as Dan Gutman's The Genius Files series, which is perfect for the book's target audience. The twists and turns come fast and Bradley stays one step ahead of the reader to the end. There's an evil Mona Lisa painting (it's complicated) and a whole lot of action and gadgets, which is always an unbeatable combination.
What I love is Bradley's use of first person narration to really keep things moving:
Now, I know you must be bored with this guy already—I know I was. I’ll give you a quick recap so we can get to the part where I get my first taste of junior agent life and things get interesting.
A book in which an ordinary boy suddenly becomes a world traveling agent requires no small amount of exposition, but younger readers don't care. They want action and they want humor. Bradley gives them plenty of both. By having Linc skip the boring parts, she not only picks up the pace, but further establishes character and tone. Here's my favorite chapter ending/opening combination.
Chapter Ending:
But otherwise, this secret agent training was pretty dull—I mean you’re bored just reading this, right? So I’ll fast-forward to the next day: Monday morning, 7 a.m. That’s when Agent Fullerton showed up at my hotel room just as I was messing up on Henry’s latest who-is-Benjamin-Green quiz. “Time to go,” was all Fullerton said. And that’s when things got dangerous. Fast.
Chapter Opening:
OKAY, SO MAYBE IT DIDN’T GET DANGEROUS immediately. First, we had to pack, then there was a really long cab ride to the airport, and after that we had to go through security—you get the idea.
And I'm going to stop there before I reveal any spoilers. If you love action, and you love funny (who doesn't), you should absolutely move F.T. Bradley's Double Vision series to the top of your list. As always, I'll leave you with some of my favorite passages from Double Vision:
Daryl jumped up next to me. “Yes, ma’am.” He saluted Mrs. Valdez. Daryl is the kind of guy who always acts like he’s had one bowl of Lucky Charms too many for breakfast.
“No,” I heard Farmer Johnson say. “Nobody gets near my chickens.”
IF THIS WERE A MOVIE, NOW WOULD BE the part where they play some pumped-up tune, showing me running, sweating, and learning all about Benjamin Green while guzzling energy drinks. But as you’ve probably figured out by now, this isn’t your typical action-hero story. We guzzled orange juice instead of power drinks and ordered room service, too: big stacks of pancakes with extra syrup.
Then with a sharp left, he took an alleyway, making us bounce on the cobblestones. The alley was so narrow, it was a miracle Guillaume didn’t lose his side mirrors. A sharp turn made the tires squeal, and I was pretty sure we tipped onto the two right wheels for a second there.
What a great opening paragraph that is, Esteemed Reader. I could spend the whole review talking about it (don't worry, I won't). It hooks the reader in the last sentence with a straight throat grab. Less subtle openings get set aside:) The reader has to wonder how a trip to a chicken farm can change someone's life. But more important than establishing setting, which Bradley does, smoothly, this opening paragraph establishes tone (and possibly voice, though the way editors talk about voice sometimes, I'm not sure I know what voice is anymore or if I ever did).
So 12-year-old Lincoln Baker, or Linc, is at a chicken farm with his sixth-grade class, in a scene written with amusing descriptions, such as:
One of the chickens made a noise and pooped. Then another did the same: chirp, then poop. Chirp, poop.
I'm not going to spoil it for you, but in a hilarious episode, Linc manages to be swarmed by chickens and the whole thing ends up on YouTube. Linc lands himself in big-time trouble as Farmer Johnson hires some big shot lawyers and threatens to sue his poor (formerly middle class, I'm sure) family for everything they've got. And, of course, Linc's in trouble at home. Witness how Bradley tells us about her protagonist while expertly rooting the exposition in conflict as Mom deals out the punishment:
Mom had just come off her shift when we got home around one, and she was waiting in my room, ready to let me have it.
I’ll save you the whole Linc-Is-in-Trouble-Again speech, because if you’ve ever been in trouble, you know what those sound like.
Here’s the recap.
1. I was grounded for the rest of the year (it was November, but still).
2. No TV, even though all these new shows are on (an argument that fell on deaf ears with Mom).
3. No skateboarding (my sole mode of transportation). Not that it mattered—see number one.
4. No going over to Daryl’s, who has an Xbox, unlike me. So no video games, even if I just got to level five on Racing Mania Seven (another argument that fell on deaf ears).
It's all fun and games until secret government agents show up. They've seen Linc's chicken antics on YouTube (tax dollars well spent) and they have an intriguing proposition:
“What’s this?” I looked at the grainy picture of a kid, in black cargo pants and a black polo shirt. He had dark hair, blue eyes—and he looked just like me, just a lot more serious. “There’s this blond streak down the front of his hair, but …”
“Looks just like you, right?” Agent Fullerton looked excited. “Uncanny.”
“What? Everyone has a double.” I handed the creepy picture back and sat down in one of the plastic lawn chairs. “Why are you here?”
“One of the kids from your class stuck a video of you at the chicken farm on YouTube. Our scanning software has been searching for a match, but we didn’t think you’d be this close.” Agent Fullerton tucked the picture back in his pocket. “We’re here to make you an offer. The kid in the picture is Benjamin Green. He’s one of Pandora’s top secret agents—and he’s gone … missing.”
I could tell you more, but we all know where this is going right? Lincoln Baker is about to pose as a secret agent on an incredible mission during which he may just save the world! Maybe. But the great thing about Double Vision is you don't know where it's going. All of this happens by chapter 3! Bradley establishes our protagonist and his motivations:
Now, this is what you would call an impossible dilemma. Right? I agree to this, and my family’s troubles will be taken care of, but I would put my life in danger. I don’t do this, the Bakers might be bankrupt and homeless.
My two favorite things about Double Vision are Bradley's pace and tone. This book moves as fast as Dan Gutman's The Genius Files series, which is perfect for the book's target audience. The twists and turns come fast and Bradley stays one step ahead of the reader to the end. There's an evil Mona Lisa painting (it's complicated) and a whole lot of action and gadgets, which is always an unbeatable combination.
What I love is Bradley's use of first person narration to really keep things moving:
Now, I know you must be bored with this guy already—I know I was. I’ll give you a quick recap so we can get to the part where I get my first taste of junior agent life and things get interesting.
A book in which an ordinary boy suddenly becomes a world traveling agent requires no small amount of exposition, but younger readers don't care. They want action and they want humor. Bradley gives them plenty of both. By having Linc skip the boring parts, she not only picks up the pace, but further establishes character and tone. Here's my favorite chapter ending/opening combination.
Chapter Ending:
But otherwise, this secret agent training was pretty dull—I mean you’re bored just reading this, right? So I’ll fast-forward to the next day: Monday morning, 7 a.m. That’s when Agent Fullerton showed up at my hotel room just as I was messing up on Henry’s latest who-is-Benjamin-Green quiz. “Time to go,” was all Fullerton said. And that’s when things got dangerous. Fast.
Chapter Opening:
OKAY, SO MAYBE IT DIDN’T GET DANGEROUS immediately. First, we had to pack, then there was a really long cab ride to the airport, and after that we had to go through security—you get the idea.
And I'm going to stop there before I reveal any spoilers. If you love action, and you love funny (who doesn't), you should absolutely move F.T. Bradley's Double Vision series to the top of your list. As always, I'll leave you with some of my favorite passages from Double Vision:
Daryl jumped up next to me. “Yes, ma’am.” He saluted Mrs. Valdez. Daryl is the kind of guy who always acts like he’s had one bowl of Lucky Charms too many for breakfast.
“No,” I heard Farmer Johnson say. “Nobody gets near my chickens.”
IF THIS WERE A MOVIE, NOW WOULD BE the part where they play some pumped-up tune, showing me running, sweating, and learning all about Benjamin Green while guzzling energy drinks. But as you’ve probably figured out by now, this isn’t your typical action-hero story. We guzzled orange juice instead of power drinks and ordered room service, too: big stacks of pancakes with extra syrup.
Then with a sharp left, he took an alleyway, making us bounce on the cobblestones. The alley was so narrow, it was a miracle Guillaume didn’t lose his side mirrors. A sharp turn made the tires squeal, and I was pretty sure we tipped onto the two right wheels for a second there.
August 10, 2017
Non stop action ensues when Linc, a ne'er-do-well 12-year-old, gets a chance to save his family from a lawsuit he caused with a silly prank. He can make the lawsuit go away by posing as a double agent who just happens to look exactly like him. In the process of saving the day, he travels to France, lives the life of a spy, meets new people, and learns a lot about himself.
Kids who enjoyed The Genius Files by Dan Gutman won't be able to put this page turner down.
Kids who enjoyed The Genius Files by Dan Gutman won't be able to put this page turner down.
January 23, 2018
Age: 9-14
The main character is constantly being chased by the villain.
His life is at risk and he is attacked multiple times.
It is an action pact book is not very scary but is still interesting traders, kidnappers and double agents and comedy. As a 12 years old I enjoyed this book very much.
The main character is constantly being chased by the villain.
His life is at risk and he is attacked multiple times.
It is an action pact book is not very scary but is still interesting traders, kidnappers and double agents and comedy. As a 12 years old I enjoyed this book very much.
November 26, 2017
This book wasn't as good as I thought it would be. However, there were a few interesting parts.
March 9, 2018
I liked the way the clues were. The whole book was very interesting.
July 29, 2018
good series for 3rd-5th grade...good pacing and dialogue for reluctant readers
April 10, 2013
They say that each person has a double floating around on the world. Somebody that looks like him or her and may even act the same way. Nearly everyone who knows Lincoln, who goes by the nickname Linc, hopes and prays for his parents’ sake that this is not true. Twelve year old Linc has quite the reputation. Some of which he nearly deserves as he has caused a few issues over the years. At other times, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Both are at work in the latest fiasco during the recent field trip. Thanks to the incident and the use of social media by one of his classmates, agents Stark and Fullerton are now aware of Lincoln’s existence and his resemblance to a missing agent. They represent “Pandora” which is some sort of top secret special operation team connected to the United State government.
They have a missing kid agent by the name of Benjamin Green. Despite Linc’s lack of spy skills, lack of athletic skills and other issues, Linc closely resembles the missing agent. After a quick crash course in training, they want Linc to assume the mission Benjamin was on in Paris, France where he went missing and deliver a certain package. If Linc will agree, Pandora in the form of agents Stark and Fullerton will clean up the mess he made during the recent field trip and deal with the financial fallout of those events. It doesn’t take long before Linc is on the ground in Paris and trying to be the missing agent with surprising results.
Aimed at readers ages 8-12 this is a fun read that is pure escapism. While the parents remain clueless about the real nature of Linc’s activities and location, readers are taken to the streets of Paris where culture and history await. Readers learn a bit about history and more as Linc and others in the team work the case in the streets of Paris.
Double Vision is the start of a new series that, while it reminds one of the classic Hardy Boys and Encyclopedia Brown, clearly is firmly rooted in the 21st century with its use of technology. The use of technology does not get in the way of making the characters - and by extension the readers - think to work through the various clues to solve the case.
Short chapters with plenty of action keep the story moving forward while also providing plenty of material for all age groups to enjoy. Linc gets himself into predicaments that will make adults especially parents cringe and laugh at the same time while thoroughly entertaining to 8-12 year old set. This solidly good book has something for both boys and girls with solidly strong writing and plot development. A short book that parents don’t have to worry about anything inappropriate makes Double Vision a win for ages 8 and up.
DOUBLE VISION
F. T. Bradley
http://www.doublevisionbooks.com
Harper
http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com
October 2012
ISBN# 978-0-06-210437-3
Hardback
256 Pages
$16.00
Material supplied quite some time ago by the author in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2013
Both are at work in the latest fiasco during the recent field trip. Thanks to the incident and the use of social media by one of his classmates, agents Stark and Fullerton are now aware of Lincoln’s existence and his resemblance to a missing agent. They represent “Pandora” which is some sort of top secret special operation team connected to the United State government.
They have a missing kid agent by the name of Benjamin Green. Despite Linc’s lack of spy skills, lack of athletic skills and other issues, Linc closely resembles the missing agent. After a quick crash course in training, they want Linc to assume the mission Benjamin was on in Paris, France where he went missing and deliver a certain package. If Linc will agree, Pandora in the form of agents Stark and Fullerton will clean up the mess he made during the recent field trip and deal with the financial fallout of those events. It doesn’t take long before Linc is on the ground in Paris and trying to be the missing agent with surprising results.
Aimed at readers ages 8-12 this is a fun read that is pure escapism. While the parents remain clueless about the real nature of Linc’s activities and location, readers are taken to the streets of Paris where culture and history await. Readers learn a bit about history and more as Linc and others in the team work the case in the streets of Paris.
Double Vision is the start of a new series that, while it reminds one of the classic Hardy Boys and Encyclopedia Brown, clearly is firmly rooted in the 21st century with its use of technology. The use of technology does not get in the way of making the characters - and by extension the readers - think to work through the various clues to solve the case.
Short chapters with plenty of action keep the story moving forward while also providing plenty of material for all age groups to enjoy. Linc gets himself into predicaments that will make adults especially parents cringe and laugh at the same time while thoroughly entertaining to 8-12 year old set. This solidly good book has something for both boys and girls with solidly strong writing and plot development. A short book that parents don’t have to worry about anything inappropriate makes Double Vision a win for ages 8 and up.
DOUBLE VISION
F. T. Bradley
http://www.doublevisionbooks.com
Harper
http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com
October 2012
ISBN# 978-0-06-210437-3
Hardback
256 Pages
$16.00
Material supplied quite some time ago by the author in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2013
October 3, 2015
So this is a highly entertaining spy novel in which the spies are twelve and thirteen year old kids thrown into a spy mission and a mystery without a clue about what's going on or how to solve it. But first, before I talk about that, I have to share with you about Lincoln Baker. I think F.T. Bradley has been spying on my 13 yr old son. Linc, as his friends call him has what his friends parents call "Linc Disasters" and they are not allowed to go with him on his "exploring" on field trips. And truly, I don't think Linc wants to do anything wrong. He is just a curious boy. Who might be in need of some medication. Here is what Mrs. Valdez says before they get off the bus at the chicken farm at "o'dark thirty" as Linc says.
"And Lincoln."That's me. "Yeah-I mean yes, Mrs. Valdez?""Can I count on you to behave?" She gave me one of those death- ray looks. Mrs. Valdez had reason to be worried."
I won't spoil the fun of finding out what he did but suffice it to say he caused some major trouble on two other field trips. And now they are at a chicken farm. Where they are not allowed to see the chickens. Use your imagination. Just to help you, my son, much like Linc, set the fire alarm off at the YMCA when he was 3. I was trying to book his birthday party. They don't care if he was restless. They get really mad. Guess where he didn't have his birthday party. I identify with Ms. Vasquez and with Linc's parents!
Linc honestly feels bad about causing trouble. Not about what he did at the chicken farm. He thought it was funny and the chicken farmer deserved it, but he is really sorry for causing trouble for his parents and the lawsuit, well it will wipe them out. He feels very guilty. Until a seemingly miracle drops in his lap.
All he has to do is slip into this missing teen spy's place, deliver a package and he's out. Two days tops. And he gets to go to Paris. But nothing is that simple. Soon Linc finds that he is sorely out of shape to be a teen spy, that the missing spy that he bears an uncanny resemblance to seems to be working for the bad guys, and French pastries are the best. Two days turn into a week and the longer it takes to get the missing Mona Lisa, the less chances that the lawsuit against his family will disappear.
But, Linc does have two allies, Francoise, the daughter of the original owner and caretaker of the missing Mona Lisa and Henry, the gadget maker. (The gadget maker is always the best, isn't he?) And with their help, he thinks he might be able to outsmart the bad guys, whoever they may be.
This is a fun book to read, taking you on a dizzying tour of Paris and a breakneck race to save Francoise's father and the painting from the hands of terrorists. And more importantly to Linc, save his family. Linc is outrageously funny, his situations improbable, but fun never the less, and the complete story is a quick and enjoyable read for adults as well as kids. I highly recommend this series!
"And Lincoln."That's me. "Yeah-I mean yes, Mrs. Valdez?""Can I count on you to behave?" She gave me one of those death- ray looks. Mrs. Valdez had reason to be worried."
I won't spoil the fun of finding out what he did but suffice it to say he caused some major trouble on two other field trips. And now they are at a chicken farm. Where they are not allowed to see the chickens. Use your imagination. Just to help you, my son, much like Linc, set the fire alarm off at the YMCA when he was 3. I was trying to book his birthday party. They don't care if he was restless. They get really mad. Guess where he didn't have his birthday party. I identify with Ms. Vasquez and with Linc's parents!
Linc honestly feels bad about causing trouble. Not about what he did at the chicken farm. He thought it was funny and the chicken farmer deserved it, but he is really sorry for causing trouble for his parents and the lawsuit, well it will wipe them out. He feels very guilty. Until a seemingly miracle drops in his lap.
All he has to do is slip into this missing teen spy's place, deliver a package and he's out. Two days tops. And he gets to go to Paris. But nothing is that simple. Soon Linc finds that he is sorely out of shape to be a teen spy, that the missing spy that he bears an uncanny resemblance to seems to be working for the bad guys, and French pastries are the best. Two days turn into a week and the longer it takes to get the missing Mona Lisa, the less chances that the lawsuit against his family will disappear.
But, Linc does have two allies, Francoise, the daughter of the original owner and caretaker of the missing Mona Lisa and Henry, the gadget maker. (The gadget maker is always the best, isn't he?) And with their help, he thinks he might be able to outsmart the bad guys, whoever they may be.
This is a fun book to read, taking you on a dizzying tour of Paris and a breakneck race to save Francoise's father and the painting from the hands of terrorists. And more importantly to Linc, save his family. Linc is outrageously funny, his situations improbable, but fun never the less, and the complete story is a quick and enjoyable read for adults as well as kids. I highly recommend this series!
August 30, 2018
This book was such a blast and one wild ride of an adventure. Linc reminds of so many of my former 7th students. What a great first book in this MG trilogy. Highly recommended.
June 19, 2013
Double Vision by F.T. Bradley
Lincoln Baker is a 12-year old boy who seems to stay in trouble on a daily basis. Linc is a jokester whose antics finally catch up with him on a school field trip. Their teacher, Mrs. Valdez has made arrangements for her class to take a tour of a chicken farm. Only one restriction, Farmer Johnson does not want the students to go anywhere near the barns where the chickens are housed. Well, Linc just can’t resist and encouraged by his friends, he puts his plan in motion. Problem…Linc ends up letting all the chickens out of the barn. Farmer Johnson is furious and hires a lawyer to sue Linc’s parents for the cost of damages to the chickens and the farm.
Linc’s parents are your normal, middle-class family and certainly can’t afford a million dollar lawsuit. They are still recovering from Linc’s last trouble. When some government agents show up on Linc’s doorstep offering a way to make the lawsuit disappear, Linc says yes and the government agents convince his parents to send him to “reform camp for trouble makers.” Turns out that these secret agents need Linc’s help because he looks exactly like one of the junior spies, Benjamin Green, who has gone missing. They need Linc to recover a package that could threaten national security.
Linc is suddenly thrown into the world of espionage and travels to France for a meeting that the real Junior Agent Benjamin Green was supposed to keep. While Linc may look like Benjamin Greene, he is definitely not a secret agent. Along the way, Linc must use his own special “jokester” skills to avoid capture and meets some very interesting people. With the help of a young girl named Francoise, Linc works to recover the package and solve the mystery of the missing Benjamin Green.
This was a really good read. While targeted for the age group of 8-12, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was fast pace without losing the reader and I thought the antics of the main character were very much in line with what a lot of 12-year olds might actually try. Apparently this is the first book in a triology, and I look forward to reading the other two books. I easily recommend this book!
DISCLOSURE: We received a complimentary copy
Lincoln Baker is a 12-year old boy who seems to stay in trouble on a daily basis. Linc is a jokester whose antics finally catch up with him on a school field trip. Their teacher, Mrs. Valdez has made arrangements for her class to take a tour of a chicken farm. Only one restriction, Farmer Johnson does not want the students to go anywhere near the barns where the chickens are housed. Well, Linc just can’t resist and encouraged by his friends, he puts his plan in motion. Problem…Linc ends up letting all the chickens out of the barn. Farmer Johnson is furious and hires a lawyer to sue Linc’s parents for the cost of damages to the chickens and the farm.
Linc’s parents are your normal, middle-class family and certainly can’t afford a million dollar lawsuit. They are still recovering from Linc’s last trouble. When some government agents show up on Linc’s doorstep offering a way to make the lawsuit disappear, Linc says yes and the government agents convince his parents to send him to “reform camp for trouble makers.” Turns out that these secret agents need Linc’s help because he looks exactly like one of the junior spies, Benjamin Green, who has gone missing. They need Linc to recover a package that could threaten national security.
Linc is suddenly thrown into the world of espionage and travels to France for a meeting that the real Junior Agent Benjamin Green was supposed to keep. While Linc may look like Benjamin Greene, he is definitely not a secret agent. Along the way, Linc must use his own special “jokester” skills to avoid capture and meets some very interesting people. With the help of a young girl named Francoise, Linc works to recover the package and solve the mystery of the missing Benjamin Green.
This was a really good read. While targeted for the age group of 8-12, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was fast pace without losing the reader and I thought the antics of the main character were very much in line with what a lot of 12-year olds might actually try. Apparently this is the first book in a triology, and I look forward to reading the other two books. I easily recommend this book!
DISCLOSURE: We received a complimentary copy
June 16, 2014
A cool mix of action and adventure.
Ever since I first saw this book I’ve wanted to read it. So, I waited for ages for the ebook to be available for me here in Australia. No such luck. I finally put an end to the waiting and ordered a paperback copy from the Book Depository in the UK (It was a great deal with free postage). And I have to say that I’m very glad that I decided to grab a copy, because I loved this book.
Linc is a normal kid, who has a talent for causing mayhem without even trying. One day, his mayhem has some pretty serious repercussions on his family and it looks like everything is taking a dive because of him. Then, everything changes. His uncanny resemblance to a high performing kid spy becomes his ticket to an amazing adventure, and hopefully a solution to the problems he’s brought upon his folks.
Without giving away too much of the plot, Linc embarks on a top secret mission to recover a priceless piece of art that could fall into the wrong hands. Far from the quiet streets of his hometown, he finds himself on a thrilling adventure through Paris solving hidden clues with his new friend, Francoise.
In a way, this book reminded me of a Da Vinci Code for kids, without the murders and dark themes. Just an urgent mission to solve the clues before it was too late. This is one of the most enjoyable books that I’ve read this year. Great job. I’m looking forward to books 2 and 3.
In a nutshell … The plot is great. It has a nice mix of action, adventure and a likeable cast. Twists, turns and the suspicion of double agents had me changing my mind along the way as the mystery unfolded. Highly recommended.
Note: I don’t claim to be a pro-reviewer, I am a reader. My reviews are based on my personal thoughts around the story that the book is trying to tell. I try to focus on the story (which is the reason I read) rather than dissect the book and pass comment on typos, writing style or structure.
Ever since I first saw this book I’ve wanted to read it. So, I waited for ages for the ebook to be available for me here in Australia. No such luck. I finally put an end to the waiting and ordered a paperback copy from the Book Depository in the UK (It was a great deal with free postage). And I have to say that I’m very glad that I decided to grab a copy, because I loved this book.
Linc is a normal kid, who has a talent for causing mayhem without even trying. One day, his mayhem has some pretty serious repercussions on his family and it looks like everything is taking a dive because of him. Then, everything changes. His uncanny resemblance to a high performing kid spy becomes his ticket to an amazing adventure, and hopefully a solution to the problems he’s brought upon his folks.
Without giving away too much of the plot, Linc embarks on a top secret mission to recover a priceless piece of art that could fall into the wrong hands. Far from the quiet streets of his hometown, he finds himself on a thrilling adventure through Paris solving hidden clues with his new friend, Francoise.
In a way, this book reminded me of a Da Vinci Code for kids, without the murders and dark themes. Just an urgent mission to solve the clues before it was too late. This is one of the most enjoyable books that I’ve read this year. Great job. I’m looking forward to books 2 and 3.
In a nutshell … The plot is great. It has a nice mix of action, adventure and a likeable cast. Twists, turns and the suspicion of double agents had me changing my mind along the way as the mystery unfolded. Highly recommended.
Note: I don’t claim to be a pro-reviewer, I am a reader. My reviews are based on my personal thoughts around the story that the book is trying to tell. I try to focus on the story (which is the reason I read) rather than dissect the book and pass comment on typos, writing style or structure.
March 28, 2013
Full Review at: http://superreadingkids.blogspot.com/...
Mom's Thoughts:
Yes this is an children's book but I found myself loving it as well! I would read it out loud to the boys and I would get quiet for a little bit, and then, Conner would say, " Mom! Stop reading ahead!"
He was right, too! I was reading ahead!
The excitement level is very high in this book and it will keep you on your toes. Linc is a wonderful, mischievous, interesting young boy that every child could relate to, especially my twins. He tends to get in trouble because of his class clown status and the fact that he is very curious. I swear the incident with the chickens (both times) had all of us ( even DAD) cracking up. I even seen Conner's eyes twinkle with ideas; so I am definitely not taking him around any chickens anytime soon.
But besides all the comedy and interesting exploits Linc tends to make; there is a lot of mystery in this book. That is what kept me so enthralled! It made me think of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code only because of all the clues, puzzles, and tricks the characters needed to solve.
In Double Vision, Linc is steady trying to figure out different clues and different puzzles that are taking him around France, trying to get a very special person's father back. This character is my girl! I loved her and I think just including her in this story makes Double Vision fun for girls, boys, and adults too!
I loved the character development in the story and I love all the interesting people Linc meets that help him and yet sometimes hinder him too. This book is packed full of action and it truly is hard to only read a few chapters every night. I also had a very hard time not sneaking back and reading the whole book without my boys! I would definitely have to give Double Vision five stars! *****
Mom's Thoughts:
Yes this is an children's book but I found myself loving it as well! I would read it out loud to the boys and I would get quiet for a little bit, and then, Conner would say, " Mom! Stop reading ahead!"
He was right, too! I was reading ahead!
The excitement level is very high in this book and it will keep you on your toes. Linc is a wonderful, mischievous, interesting young boy that every child could relate to, especially my twins. He tends to get in trouble because of his class clown status and the fact that he is very curious. I swear the incident with the chickens (both times) had all of us ( even DAD) cracking up. I even seen Conner's eyes twinkle with ideas; so I am definitely not taking him around any chickens anytime soon.
But besides all the comedy and interesting exploits Linc tends to make; there is a lot of mystery in this book. That is what kept me so enthralled! It made me think of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code only because of all the clues, puzzles, and tricks the characters needed to solve.
In Double Vision, Linc is steady trying to figure out different clues and different puzzles that are taking him around France, trying to get a very special person's father back. This character is my girl! I loved her and I think just including her in this story makes Double Vision fun for girls, boys, and adults too!
I loved the character development in the story and I love all the interesting people Linc meets that help him and yet sometimes hinder him too. This book is packed full of action and it truly is hard to only read a few chapters every night. I also had a very hard time not sneaking back and reading the whole book without my boys! I would definitely have to give Double Vision five stars! *****
July 25, 2020
Lincoln Baker est un jeune garçon américain qui a un talent incroyable... pour s'attirer des ennuis ! Lors de la dernière sortie scolaire avec sa classe, il a poussé le bouchon un peu trop loin, et aujourd'hui il est dans les problèmes jusqu'au cou. Enfin surtout sa famille. Alors quand des agents du gouvernement viennent le chercher pour lui proposer de remplacer un jeune agent secret disparu en mission dont il est le sosie, Lincoln saute sur l'occasion de sauver ses parents de la galère. Le voilà en route pour la France pour aller retrouver une Joconde un peu spéciale...
Voilà une histoire riche en action et qui fonce à cent à l'heure. Pas le temps de s'ennuyer quand on suit Lincoln Baker. Une visite de Paris à pleine vitesse, une mission compliquée à résoudre et une jeune française qui manie la matraque comme personne. Notre jeune héros est des plus attachants et on ne voit pas les pages se tourner. Très imaginatif et avec un don pour trouver les ennuis sur sa route, Lincoln n'a pas la carrure du héros habituel. D'ailleurs pour tout dire, c'est son sosie, le vrai agent secret, qui ferait un super héros. Sauf qu'il n'est peut-être pas aussi gentil qu'il n'y paraît et qu'à plusieurs occasions, c'est l'inventivité de Lincoln qui sauvent les personnages de la panade. Des codes dissimulés dans Paris, à déchiffrer grâce à son imagination et aux aides que l'on trouve à la fin du livre. Ce livre a tout pour plaire aux jeunes agents secrets en herbe. Seul bémol, quelques traductions un peu malheureuse de certaines expressions. Mais ça ne gêne pas non plus la lecture.
En clair, un livre amusant, bien rythmé, qui permet de visiter Paris en accéléré et qui fera passer un bon moment aux jeunes lecteurs. À recommander aux 10 ans et plus.
Voilà une histoire riche en action et qui fonce à cent à l'heure. Pas le temps de s'ennuyer quand on suit Lincoln Baker. Une visite de Paris à pleine vitesse, une mission compliquée à résoudre et une jeune française qui manie la matraque comme personne. Notre jeune héros est des plus attachants et on ne voit pas les pages se tourner. Très imaginatif et avec un don pour trouver les ennuis sur sa route, Lincoln n'a pas la carrure du héros habituel. D'ailleurs pour tout dire, c'est son sosie, le vrai agent secret, qui ferait un super héros. Sauf qu'il n'est peut-être pas aussi gentil qu'il n'y paraît et qu'à plusieurs occasions, c'est l'inventivité de Lincoln qui sauvent les personnages de la panade. Des codes dissimulés dans Paris, à déchiffrer grâce à son imagination et aux aides que l'on trouve à la fin du livre. Ce livre a tout pour plaire aux jeunes agents secrets en herbe. Seul bémol, quelques traductions un peu malheureuse de certaines expressions. Mais ça ne gêne pas non plus la lecture.
En clair, un livre amusant, bien rythmé, qui permet de visiter Paris en accéléré et qui fera passer un bon moment aux jeunes lecteurs. À recommander aux 10 ans et plus.
March 19, 2020
I quite enjoyed this book and am really happy I gave it a chance!
I've found that a lot of times, I get frustrated with books where the main character/narrator is willfully destructive or causes problems for everyone around them (see: Beverly Cleary's Ramona books)—a lot of times, it's either treated as cute/"well, what can you do, that's Randy for you!" with indulgent exasperation or the character never really has a satisfying realization and turnaround. I freely admit this is probably me bringing certain expectations to the books that authors are under no obligation to fulfill, but the great thing about Double Vision is that it didn't fall into either of these traps. I found Linc charming and believable and sympathetic—it was always understandable why he was doing the things he did. In theory, that should be easy enough to pull off when you're writing first person, but in practice it often doesn't work, so I was pleasantly surprised when Linc's narrator personality sucked me into the book.
I was also really pleased that this wasn't just a kid spy book, but one that had a sense of humor about itself.
Disclaimer: I received this book as part of Goodreads' first-reads giveaway project.
I've found that a lot of times, I get frustrated with books where the main character/narrator is willfully destructive or causes problems for everyone around them (see: Beverly Cleary's Ramona books)—a lot of times, it's either treated as cute/"well, what can you do, that's Randy for you!" with indulgent exasperation or the character never really has a satisfying realization and turnaround. I freely admit this is probably me bringing certain expectations to the books that authors are under no obligation to fulfill, but the great thing about Double Vision is that it didn't fall into either of these traps. I found Linc charming and believable and sympathetic—it was always understandable why he was doing the things he did. In theory, that should be easy enough to pull off when you're writing first person, but in practice it often doesn't work, so I was pleasantly surprised when Linc's narrator personality sucked me into the book.
I was also really pleased that this wasn't just a kid spy book, but one that had a sense of humor about itself.
Disclaimer: I received this book as part of Goodreads' first-reads giveaway project.
March 8, 2013
This book is one of my favorite spy stories I've read in a while. It was better than Stormbreaker! (You know, the Alex Ryder series?) When I started, this was my main fear that was quickly dispelled: this book would be a book that only young boys could enjoy. Well, as I said before, this fear quickly went away and I became wrapped up in the story.
Now, I know the the twin thing has been in a couple books I've read, but that didn't mean that I was bored because of it; the author did an amazing job and managed to keep it new and fresh so that it didn't seem like a bad remake of Prince and the Pauper like most 'we look identical' plotlines. I loved it! It was very interesting to see Ben and Linc interact with each other.
The bad guys in this book were also well-written. In many spy stories for kids, it's implied that the bad guys are like the mafia, but ten times worse, and the people end up falling way short of every single expectation. In this book, F.T. Bradley managed to make it believable, yet not so scary that kids would be freaked out by the book.
Also, this book was funny! Though a lot of the humor would appeal more to middle-grade boys, there were still parts where I had to giggle.
All in all, it was a really good book. I would recommend this mainly to boys ages 7-12, but that doesn't mean that they aren't the only people who can enjoy this book.
Now, I know the the twin thing has been in a couple books I've read, but that didn't mean that I was bored because of it; the author did an amazing job and managed to keep it new and fresh so that it didn't seem like a bad remake of Prince and the Pauper like most 'we look identical' plotlines. I loved it! It was very interesting to see Ben and Linc interact with each other.
The bad guys in this book were also well-written. In many spy stories for kids, it's implied that the bad guys are like the mafia, but ten times worse, and the people end up falling way short of every single expectation. In this book, F.T. Bradley managed to make it believable, yet not so scary that kids would be freaked out by the book.
Also, this book was funny! Though a lot of the humor would appeal more to middle-grade boys, there were still parts where I had to giggle.
All in all, it was a really good book. I would recommend this mainly to boys ages 7-12, but that doesn't mean that they aren't the only people who can enjoy this book.
January 11, 2013
My Review: Linc couldn’t resist the chance to start some trouble at Mr. Johnson’s chicken farm during a field trip which resulted in a lawsuit. But when two secret agents turned up at his parent’s doorstep and told him that he looks just like one of their agent Benjamin Green who has gone missing while undercover.
Linc said “But what does that have to do with me?” The agent went on to tell him that without agent Green to deliver a package, the exchange is off. Linc wasn’t interested but when he heard that Mr. Johnson’s lawyer is Zachary Quinn, Linc knew his only choice was to help the agents and save his parent from this lawsuit. All Linc has to do is pose as Benjamin Green.
I highly recommend this book which is filled with action and adventure, a thrill for kids age 8 and up one you done want to miss adding to your library.
Disclaimer: As per FTC guidelines, I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone.
Linc said “But what does that have to do with me?” The agent went on to tell him that without agent Green to deliver a package, the exchange is off. Linc wasn’t interested but when he heard that Mr. Johnson’s lawyer is Zachary Quinn, Linc knew his only choice was to help the agents and save his parent from this lawsuit. All Linc has to do is pose as Benjamin Green.
I highly recommend this book which is filled with action and adventure, a thrill for kids age 8 and up one you done want to miss adding to your library.
Disclaimer: As per FTC guidelines, I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone.
October 2, 2012
I was sent this book as an ARC from Goodreads First Reads (Woohoo)!
Bradley's Double Vision is reminiscent of the movies Agent Cody Banks or the Spy Kids series. This book is an action pack spy thriller made for children.
After getting himself in a jam Linc is offered a chance to get out of it by becoming a secret agent double! Sent to complete a mission, danger is lurking around the bend and Linc has no idea what he is in store for and how dangerous it really is for him.
The story line is a little outrageous to believe as reality especially for an adult to read but, a kid in 3rd-5th grade would eat this up. I especially think boys will like this book!
Bradley's Double Vision is reminiscent of the movies Agent Cody Banks or the Spy Kids series. This book is an action pack spy thriller made for children.
After getting himself in a jam Linc is offered a chance to get out of it by becoming a secret agent double! Sent to complete a mission, danger is lurking around the bend and Linc has no idea what he is in store for and how dangerous it really is for him.
The story line is a little outrageous to believe as reality especially for an adult to read but, a kid in 3rd-5th grade would eat this up. I especially think boys will like this book!
December 8, 2012
Linc is hilarious. When I was a teacher, I had one of those crazy students every year. Linc is that kid who means well but somehow, his good intentions turn into trouble. I love that he gets to be a spy and use his propensity for trouble to solve the case, save his family, and even save the world. Now I want to see Paris, too. Boys and girls who enjoy middle school adventure, mystery, and action will love this book. I know that F.T. Bradley has two more books coming out in this series and I am looking forward to reading them. Go purchase your copies today and wrap em up for holiday gifts.
November 9, 2012
I love Linc. What a character! He learns how to turn his propensity for causing chaos into a tool to save the world. Linc's antics on a field trip to a chicken farm are broadcast on YouTube where government agents see it and decide Linc is the perfect double for their missing special agent Ben Green. Suddenly Linc is embroiled in the world of international intrigue and crime.
Codes, double agents, missing priceless art and a race through Paris; Double Vision is the DaVinci Codes for kids except a lot funnier.
Codes, double agents, missing priceless art and a race through Paris; Double Vision is the DaVinci Codes for kids except a lot funnier.
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