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Secret Box #1
The Secret Cipher (Secret Box) by Whitaker Ringwald
The Amazing Race meets The Mysterious Benedict Society with a twist of magical mythology in this hilarious middle-grade caper about a strange locked box that transforms the lives of three kids.The Secret Box is the first in an irresistible middle-grade trilogy that combines the magic of 11 Birthdays with the adventure of the Genius Files series and humorous quirk worthy of Trenton Lee Stewart. The page-turning mystery, alternating girl and boy narrators, and clever incorporation of mythology are sure to delight-and lingering questions will leave readers eager for more.On her 12th birthday Jax Malone receives a surprise gift from her estranged Great-Aunt a mysterious locked box that will only open in one location. If Jax's mom hadn't tried to return it, Jax would have assumed it was just another boring present to add to the most boring, un-magical birthday ever.Instead, Jax decides she must open the box. So she recruits her reluctant cousin Ethan and his obnoxious, computer-genius older brother Tyler to help find the site where the box will open.But what starts as a fun adventure quickly turns crazy, even dangerous, when Jax, Ethan, and Tyler learn that the box was not intended as a gift, but as a call for help from an ancient magical source thought to only exist in myth."This mystery unfolds before your eyes in a series of cliffhangers that build up to a blow-your-mind ending. Wanting to know the secret kept me turning the pages."-Dan Gutman, New York Times bestselling author of the Genius Files series
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First published February 25, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
June 12, 2022
Great read. Kind of like a child's version of Indiana Jones. Somewhat of a quick read. Filled with secrets, adventure, and sprinkled with regular life struggles from a single mother trying to make ends meet, to an obnoxious older brother that lives to low-key torture/bully his younger family members.
June 12, 2019
When she recieves a birthday package from an aunt she never knew existed, Jax drags long her best friend Ethan and his annoying older brother to figure out its secrets before their parents find out - and keep it out of the hands of a mysterious couple desperately seeking it out. Ringwald will keep young readers entertained with this quick and suspenseful mystery led by a witty cast. What is it about this new aunt that has Jax and Ethan's family so on edge?
December 23, 2018
My favourite part was when Jax was finally told the truth about her father. My least favourite part was when the Camels were so mean in trying to get the box and then the jar.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2015
Jax's 12 birthday is pretty much unremarkable, except for an unexpected package from her great-aunt Juniper. It's a box, with a screen on top and a button on the side. Naturally, she wants to open it, but then her mom freaks out and takes it away to send it back. Because she and Aunt Juniper don't even speak to each other anymore. Ever. So what business does she have sending a box to Jax?
Well, her mother's interesting reaction simply adds to Jax's desire to get that box open at any cost. Her mom has already stuffed in the trunk to take to the Post Office, but if Jax can just somehow intercept it.... This calls for some teamwork. Enter her cousin Ethan: sidekick extraordinaire. He may not want to go along with Jax's crazy schemes, but she can usually talk him into it. So she does and he does.
The problem is, once they get the box and push the button, all it says on the screen is: "Attempt 1 out of 10. 190 miles from the right spot. Goodbye." Now there's a mystery to solve. Jax is on it!
So I have mixed feelings about this book. I get that there's a big gap in juvenile level mysteries for kids, between the short chapter book "who ate the last cookie" types to actual real-problem type mysteries. Probably part of the reason for that gap is that a mystery involving bigger problems generally also involves sleuthing that kids aren't allowed to do on their own. Ringwald is bridging that gap.
I enjoyed it when I read it. The mysterious box was a great hook that intrigued me, I liked the mythical/fantastical elements, I thought it walked the fine line between suspenseful and scary quite well (keeping in mind the target audience.) I thought the exchanges between Ethan and his brother Tyler were funny and real. I also laughed out loud at Ethan deciding what his superhero name would be.
Then I started to think about how or when to share it with my kids (who are 7, 5, and 2). You see, the way the kids get do all this investigating on their own is pretty simple. They lie: to the kid taking the box to the post office for Jax's mom, to their parents, to Ethan's older brother Tyler, to their parents again, oh--to their parents AGAIN, and on and on. They break into someone's apartment (the bad guys') and even talk amongst themselves about how this is criminal behavior and they should probably just call the police, but they don't.
I can picture spending the whole book answering questions like, "But Mom, why are they lying again?" and "If they know that's wrong, why are they still doing it?"
It's all a moot point right now, because I think the villains would freak them out, so obviously--not quite there yet, anyway. But when? I really don't know the answer to that.
Another juvenile author bridging the gap is Blue Balliet. I've really liked hers, but have not introduced them to my kids yet, either. I guess we'll be in Nate the Great land for awhile yet.
Well, her mother's interesting reaction simply adds to Jax's desire to get that box open at any cost. Her mom has already stuffed in the trunk to take to the Post Office, but if Jax can just somehow intercept it.... This calls for some teamwork. Enter her cousin Ethan: sidekick extraordinaire. He may not want to go along with Jax's crazy schemes, but she can usually talk him into it. So she does and he does.
The problem is, once they get the box and push the button, all it says on the screen is: "Attempt 1 out of 10. 190 miles from the right spot. Goodbye." Now there's a mystery to solve. Jax is on it!
So I have mixed feelings about this book. I get that there's a big gap in juvenile level mysteries for kids, between the short chapter book "who ate the last cookie" types to actual real-problem type mysteries. Probably part of the reason for that gap is that a mystery involving bigger problems generally also involves sleuthing that kids aren't allowed to do on their own. Ringwald is bridging that gap.
I enjoyed it when I read it. The mysterious box was a great hook that intrigued me, I liked the mythical/fantastical elements, I thought it walked the fine line between suspenseful and scary quite well (keeping in mind the target audience.) I thought the exchanges between Ethan and his brother Tyler were funny and real. I also laughed out loud at Ethan deciding what his superhero name would be.
Then I started to think about how or when to share it with my kids (who are 7, 5, and 2). You see, the way the kids get do all this investigating on their own is pretty simple. They lie: to the kid taking the box to the post office for Jax's mom, to their parents, to Ethan's older brother Tyler, to their parents again, oh--to their parents AGAIN, and on and on. They break into someone's apartment (the bad guys') and even talk amongst themselves about how this is criminal behavior and they should probably just call the police, but they don't.
I can picture spending the whole book answering questions like, "But Mom, why are they lying again?" and "If they know that's wrong, why are they still doing it?"
It's all a moot point right now, because I think the villains would freak them out, so obviously--not quite there yet, anyway. But when? I really don't know the answer to that.
Another juvenile author bridging the gap is Blue Balliet. I've really liked hers, but have not introduced them to my kids yet, either. I guess we'll be in Nate the Great land for awhile yet.
November 17, 2013
Jax and Ethan are more than just cousins, they're best friends and partners-in-crime. Well, to be honest, it's more like Ethan is a partner to Jax's crimes. Jax is impulsive and always ready for an adventure, while Ethan is cautious and always armed with plenty of facts and interesting trivia. When Jax receives a mysterious package on her twelfth birthday from a great-aunt she never knew existed, a gift quickly and mysteriously confiscated by her mother, Jax is even more determined than ever to figure out why no one has ever mentioned Great-Aunt Juniper and what is inside the curious box she's given Jax for her birthday. Jax and Ethan team up with Tyler, Ethan's older computer-genius older brother, who happens to possess something the duo desperately needs: a driver's license. As the trio embarks on a road trip to figure out what secrets the box contains, they find themselves tangled in potentially dangerous adventure where their courage, wits, and teamwork might be the only things that can save them from the dark powers at play.
The Secret Box is the first installment in a new middle grade adventure trilogy by author Whitaker Ringwald. Readers will surely fall for the heroes of this story - Jax and Ethan - who, though very different, compliment one another perfectly. Jax's impulsiveness and irrepressible excitement moves the story along at a quick pace, while Ethan's attention to detail and penchant for reciting facts and figures grounds the story and gives readers time to process important details.
I'm very curious about the Greek mythology elements of The Secret Box and the secrets regarding Jax's father. In this first book, readers are only given small amounts of information about who Jax's father is and how he ties into the big mystery surrounding Juniper and the curious artifact gifted to Jax. I'm anxiously awaiting the answers I hope to find in the second book! The Secret Box is a great beginning to what promises to be a fantastic new trilogy.
The Secret Box is the first installment in a new middle grade adventure trilogy by author Whitaker Ringwald. Readers will surely fall for the heroes of this story - Jax and Ethan - who, though very different, compliment one another perfectly. Jax's impulsiveness and irrepressible excitement moves the story along at a quick pace, while Ethan's attention to detail and penchant for reciting facts and figures grounds the story and gives readers time to process important details.
I'm very curious about the Greek mythology elements of The Secret Box and the secrets regarding Jax's father. In this first book, readers are only given small amounts of information about who Jax's father is and how he ties into the big mystery surrounding Juniper and the curious artifact gifted to Jax. I'm anxiously awaiting the answers I hope to find in the second book! The Secret Box is a great beginning to what promises to be a fantastic new trilogy.
October 12, 2014
I really enjoyed this middle grade adventure story. It all begins when Jax gets a birthday present and her mom takes it away from her to return it. Jax is the kind of 12-year-old who just can't resist a secret. She becomes determined to find out what it is and who sent it to her. Jax is hyper and daring and doesn't always think before she acts.
Aiding and abetting her is her cousin Ethan who has long since taken on the role of sidekick despite Jax saying he is her partner. Ethan is a year older but, if he were a superhero, his name would be Caution Man. Jax is shy, introverted, and prone to nosebleeds when he is stressed. He also has a great knowledge of all sorts of facts and is a very practical kid.
The two of them begin to solve the puzzle but have to recruit Ethan's older brother Tyler to assist. He is old enough to drive a car. He treats the two of them like major annoyances and is constantly working on developing a video game with his friends. He is also obsessed with winning and has quite a collection of trophies.
When Jax and Ethan decided that they need to go to Washington, DC, to solve their riddle, they convince Tyler to take them using a geochaching contest as a lure. But their quest to open the mystery box takes on more significance when they are followed by strangers who want to buy the box and then steal the box when they leave it in the car briefly.
The kids need to find the great-aunt who sent the box to Jax to find out what is going on. Their quest takes them from New Jersey to Washington DC and has them confronting villains and a mystical object from the past.
The story was fast-paced and very entertaining. I especially liked the chapters from Ethan's point of view. It was great for him to find his inner hero. All the kids changed and grew through the course of this story.
I recommend it for middle grade adventure lovers.
Aiding and abetting her is her cousin Ethan who has long since taken on the role of sidekick despite Jax saying he is her partner. Ethan is a year older but, if he were a superhero, his name would be Caution Man. Jax is shy, introverted, and prone to nosebleeds when he is stressed. He also has a great knowledge of all sorts of facts and is a very practical kid.
The two of them begin to solve the puzzle but have to recruit Ethan's older brother Tyler to assist. He is old enough to drive a car. He treats the two of them like major annoyances and is constantly working on developing a video game with his friends. He is also obsessed with winning and has quite a collection of trophies.
When Jax and Ethan decided that they need to go to Washington, DC, to solve their riddle, they convince Tyler to take them using a geochaching contest as a lure. But their quest to open the mystery box takes on more significance when they are followed by strangers who want to buy the box and then steal the box when they leave it in the car briefly.
The kids need to find the great-aunt who sent the box to Jax to find out what is going on. Their quest takes them from New Jersey to Washington DC and has them confronting villains and a mystical object from the past.
The story was fast-paced and very entertaining. I especially liked the chapters from Ethan's point of view. It was great for him to find his inner hero. All the kids changed and grew through the course of this story.
I recommend it for middle grade adventure lovers.
March 17, 2016
"The Secret Box" - written by Whitaker Ringwald (Suzanne Selfors) and published in 2013 by HarperCollins. What a fun middle-grade adventure story! Two buddies who happen to be cousins frequently spend time together, with Jax as the instigator - "Call me curious or call me snoopy, I want to know what's going on" and Ethan as the loyal sidekick - "...there I was, up to my eyeballs in a Jax situation again."
The arrival of a mysterious birthday gift from an unknown great-aunt (great name, Juniper Vandegrift) sets the action in motion as they try to solve the puzzle of how to open the box. And they aren't the only ones interested in it! "What had begun as a simple plan to open a birthday box had turned into something dangerous." When they finally track down Juniper, she tells an amazing story - "...so much of her story made sense, in a weird and very unscientific way."
Ringwald arranges the book in alternating chapters which I think is a comfortable format for young readers. This is the first in a trilogy and she cleverly sets up a cool cliffhanger to entice you into the next in the series, "The Secret Cipher." A great adventure tale with a grown-up flavor.
The arrival of a mysterious birthday gift from an unknown great-aunt (great name, Juniper Vandegrift) sets the action in motion as they try to solve the puzzle of how to open the box. And they aren't the only ones interested in it! "What had begun as a simple plan to open a birthday box had turned into something dangerous." When they finally track down Juniper, she tells an amazing story - "...so much of her story made sense, in a weird and very unscientific way."
Ringwald arranges the book in alternating chapters which I think is a comfortable format for young readers. This is the first in a trilogy and she cleverly sets up a cool cliffhanger to entice you into the next in the series, "The Secret Cipher." A great adventure tale with a grown-up flavor.
February 25, 2014
This is a really great book for the age group it us suggested for. I found myself entertained as an adult. The premise that a young girl receives a birthday package in the mail from a long lost aunt and her mother refuses to let her open it and insists that is be returned unopened. Jax (the young heroine) can't stand this and manages to pirate the package away on the way to the post office. She opens it and finds a mysterious and beautiful box inside that takes much investigation to figure out how to open it up. Before it is all over she enlists her young cousin and his older brother to help her open the box and find its secrets. There is a quest, there are villains and the box really does contain something shocking. The author,I researched, has written several other kids books under another name. I loved the book and I imagine your kids will too!
July 21, 2014
Every student who read this book loved it, so I thought I better find out why. Told through the voices of 12-year-old Jax and her slightly older cousin Ethan, Jax receives a box in the mail (a birthday present)that she's disinterested in until her mother grabs it from her, to return to sender. Her curiosity is ignited and recruiting the help of her cousin Ethan and his genius yet obnoxious older brother Tyler, they start their mission to retrieve the box and discover its contents. This proves extremely dangerous,complicated, and very suspenseful. This beautifully written title has all the ingredients of a winning mystery, paced just perfectly to keep you glued to every page.
April 9, 2014
This book has more humor and adventure than one would expect from the title, cover, or even the blurbs. It is clear that a sequel is needed because Jax and Ethan make such a great team. I love that they are cousins so we don't have worry about the tricky romance issues for this age. There is much more to learn about Juniper and about Jax's dad, whoever and wherever he may be. Ethan's facts are big bonus for a fact lover like myself and serve well to set the tone for the chapters in his voice.
February 21, 2018
Okay, this book was a bit of a twist for me. I enjoyed it overall, though I'd probably give it a 2.5. The plot seemed a little shaky to me, but it was good. Now I just need to read book 2 and find out how it ends...
February 25, 2019
Like the mythology but did not care much for Jax. Pretty selfish exhibited a lot of negative traits - lying, stealing...
June 3, 2023
First of all, I love a sassy smart girl and although this book features both Jax (a girl) and her cousin Ethan alternating chapters, Jax is the brains of the duo and also the brave one. Add some drama, mystery, ancient Greek mythology and ancient artifacts plus danger and this all adds up to the terrific story this book tells. Juvenile Indiana Jones!
For Jax's 12th birthday she receives a box in the mail from an unknown woman who she shortly discovers is a great aunt who has been banished from the family. Jax's mother plans to send the box back unopened but a very curious Jax steals it before it reaches the post office. The box allows 10 tries to open it and some math is involved. Jax and Ethan persuade Ethan's older brother, under false pretenses, to drive them to Washington DC where they have decided is the right coordinates to open the box. Then a chase ensues. Other people want the box and they will do anything to get it. Jax's smart thinking saves the day.
I would have loved this book as a middle grade reader. I love it as an adult. I want book #2!
For Jax's 12th birthday she receives a box in the mail from an unknown woman who she shortly discovers is a great aunt who has been banished from the family. Jax's mother plans to send the box back unopened but a very curious Jax steals it before it reaches the post office. The box allows 10 tries to open it and some math is involved. Jax and Ethan persuade Ethan's older brother, under false pretenses, to drive them to Washington DC where they have decided is the right coordinates to open the box. Then a chase ensues. Other people want the box and they will do anything to get it. Jax's smart thinking saves the day.
I would have loved this book as a middle grade reader. I love it as an adult. I want book #2!
April 19, 2019
now I am in Spain. and I went to the supermarket and I had this book. I thought this book is interesting so I decided to read this book. On Jax Malone’s 12th birthday, she got a surprise present from her great aunt Juniper. But, her mother wouldn’t let her have it. Hoping it wasn’t another boring present, she opened it secretly and inside was a mysterious locked box that can only open in a certain spot. With her cousin Ethan, together they tricked Ethan’s older brother, Tyler to help them find the place where the box would open. Their crazy adventures involve Greek mythology, Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes crazy adventures.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes crazy adventures.
November 16, 2020
Fun thriller for kids
Who doesn’t love a book with secrets, mysterious boxes and travel adventures. This book is a fun thriller that takes cousins, Jax and Ethan, on a whirlwind chase. They wanted to find out what was in the box Jax’s Mom doesn’t want her to have. The kids take turns as narrators and readers experience their growth and development along with them. They undergo some stressful experiences but they learn so much about themself and each other. The story is a well written mystery with some magical fantasy included. For anyone looking for a fun adventure story be sure to check it out
Who doesn’t love a book with secrets, mysterious boxes and travel adventures. This book is a fun thriller that takes cousins, Jax and Ethan, on a whirlwind chase. They wanted to find out what was in the box Jax’s Mom doesn’t want her to have. The kids take turns as narrators and readers experience their growth and development along with them. They undergo some stressful experiences but they learn so much about themself and each other. The story is a well written mystery with some magical fantasy included. For anyone looking for a fun adventure story be sure to check it out
July 7, 2022
I read this as a bedtime book with my 10-year-old. My child’s review: “It’s a very good book. I like the plot! The plot twist was very interesting, and there were a lot of surprising moments! The book starts off with a little girl called Jax, a smart kid named Ethan, and a gaming nerd, Tyler. Jax gets a surprise birthday present, and her cousin Ethan goes along with her. They trick Tyler into going with them, and they discovered a great-aunt who they didn’t know existed! They need to open the box, but how will they do it when someone else wants to open the box, too?!”
September 4, 2018
Decent read. I read through it pretty quickly. Jax is an interesting character with her fidgetiness and allure of excitement. Tyler is another one that's pretty stereotypical: male, gamer, stinky, egotistical. Wish he had more of a robust personality before he was the "hero." Ethan, however, was an interesting character. It was good to jump between his thoughts and Jax's. Overall, great pacing, kept me interested. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series.
July 24, 2019
An improbably story about a girl who received a box that won't open unless they find the exact location to open it. Would I read this story to my children? Well, I have all girls, and I think this would appeal more to boys than girls, even though the main character is a girl. But... there are so many better stories to read. There's nothing wrong with this one, but... it's just OK, not great.
The author's biography is fun, though!
The author's biography is fun, though!
June 4, 2019
Another recommendation from a Book Club kiddo....this was probably more like 2.5 stars. I'd say it was the equivalent of a "beach read" for kids. It was a reasonably entertaining page-turner, but it's not going to stick with me and I won't read the rest of the series.
July 2, 2021
A book for my grandson that was enjoyable. I love how the chapters go from the Jax's point of view to Ethan's point of view. The girl is impulsive and the little boy is overly cautious. They make a great team, especially when the older brother gets involved.
Well done.
Well done.
April 16, 2024
This book was SO good. It was a really nice mystery and wasn't hard to finish. I liked that it was a bit more modern and not like other mysteries I have read. I will definitely continue the series. Overall, it was a great book.
December 13, 2016
This book has a terrific balance of mystery, adventure, likable characters and interesting story line.
As your students finish the first book they will beg you for the second.
As your students finish the first book they will beg you for the second.
July 19, 2017
cute story...liked the "FACT" inserts...can you say sequel...similarities to 39 clues series...
September 7, 2017
Fun and unusual suspenseful story with engaging characters. Loved how it switches between the two narrators, giving two different perspectives while moving the action forward. Hard to put down.
July 26, 2018
This book was super good! The plot line was so not predictable, and the very end was like "OMG"!!!!!!!! I have to finish this series.
October 6, 2018
It was such a quick read and the plot was good but, not the best Ive read. The sequel was better.
March 14, 2020
I read this as a kid and I don't remember much, but I do remember that I never returned it to the library and my mother had to buy them a new copy. :)
August 23, 2025
Read it with the kids. Very exciting. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
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November 13, 2025Rather predictable, too easily pieced together for the target audience age range.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews