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YOU VS
You vs the Poison Plot
Not yet published
Expected 13 Oct 26Win a free print copy of this book!
6 days and 12:19:28
10 copies available
U.S. only
Can YOU solve the biggest crime of the century (or at least of the after-school talent show)? With multiple choose-your-own paths, suspects to investigate, and endings to uncover, this fresh and funny whodunit—the first in an interactive series—puts readers in control.
When Mr. Rosso, the drama teacher, is found unconscious before the big school talent show, the theories for what happened are plentiful—and it’s up to the reader to solve the mystery. Through an exciting, page-hopping format, readers themselves decide how the story progresses. Should they question Levi, the popular kid with the voice of an angel? Investigate the crime scene with Allie, the sharp-eyed school newspaper photographer? Dig up dirt on Ms. Lynch, the nervous teaching assistant? Following the clues however they choose, readers might get caught in a wild goose chase or sleuth their way to the clever solution—in any case, the witty storylines paired with lively cartoon art make this an unforgettable DIY romp.
When Mr. Rosso, the drama teacher, is found unconscious before the big school talent show, the theories for what happened are plentiful—and it’s up to the reader to solve the mystery. Through an exciting, page-hopping format, readers themselves decide how the story progresses. Should they question Levi, the popular kid with the voice of an angel? Investigate the crime scene with Allie, the sharp-eyed school newspaper photographer? Dig up dirt on Ms. Lynch, the nervous teaching assistant? Following the clues however they choose, readers might get caught in a wild goose chase or sleuth their way to the clever solution—in any case, the witty storylines paired with lively cartoon art make this an unforgettable DIY romp.
- GenresMiddle GradeMystery
224 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Each turn of the page might disclose new information as the reader does their best to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Mr. Russo, the drama teacher, falls unconscious right before the annual talent contest, and that while several contests are with him. As the school's journalist, there's no way you can let this huge story slide...but to be a great article in the school's paper, first you need to figure out what happened. With the paper's photographer at your side, the two of you try your best to figure out what is going on, but the more clues you discover, the foggier this mystery grows.
The choose-your-own tale style adds a nice layer to the mystery fun, especially since this one takes place in a school setting...something readers can easily sink into. There are quite a few suspects, and the search for clues leads to surprising locations. The clues take some thought to thread together because the answer isn't obvious even as the reader (main character) takes notes. Some decisions lead to unhelpful moments, while others uncover something big, and it's not always clear which choice heads where. So, this book keeps the reader in the pages.
Instead of leading the reader through a direct line of pages (depending on choices), the author sometimes uses central points to branch off and return to. For example, when Mr. Russo is discovered with various suspects present, each suspect leads to a different page-chain before returning back so readers can choose someone else or carry on. So, the adventure is never overly short. Also, if a wrong choice is made that would, normally, mean the end of that chosen tale direction, a 're-do' possibility is usually offered to reverse that wrong decision and continue with the tale. This gives the entire thing a buffered feel.
This mystery fits the mid and lower end of the age group nicely and works well for even sensitive readers, since there isn't a murder and nothing grows dark. The plot is rather straightforward without giving much on the deeper, side-plots end outside of some lighter, possible motives from the suspects. There is a bit more dialogue than I've often seen in this type of book, which gives the reader some personality traits. So, while the reader is addressed with 'you' and makes the decisions, there is a main character-ish vibe about it, too.
It's an entertaining read, which doesn't deliver the clues in a way to make the solution obvious, and there's a lighter atmosphere to keep everything from even thinking about nodding toward a dark direction. It also practices those reading skills, since it's not overly quick or short. The illustrations add to the mystery and help with the delivery of the clues. Summed up, it's an entertaining read.
Mr. Russo, the drama teacher, falls unconscious right before the annual talent contest, and that while several contests are with him. As the school's journalist, there's no way you can let this huge story slide...but to be a great article in the school's paper, first you need to figure out what happened. With the paper's photographer at your side, the two of you try your best to figure out what is going on, but the more clues you discover, the foggier this mystery grows.
The choose-your-own tale style adds a nice layer to the mystery fun, especially since this one takes place in a school setting...something readers can easily sink into. There are quite a few suspects, and the search for clues leads to surprising locations. The clues take some thought to thread together because the answer isn't obvious even as the reader (main character) takes notes. Some decisions lead to unhelpful moments, while others uncover something big, and it's not always clear which choice heads where. So, this book keeps the reader in the pages.
Instead of leading the reader through a direct line of pages (depending on choices), the author sometimes uses central points to branch off and return to. For example, when Mr. Russo is discovered with various suspects present, each suspect leads to a different page-chain before returning back so readers can choose someone else or carry on. So, the adventure is never overly short. Also, if a wrong choice is made that would, normally, mean the end of that chosen tale direction, a 're-do' possibility is usually offered to reverse that wrong decision and continue with the tale. This gives the entire thing a buffered feel.
This mystery fits the mid and lower end of the age group nicely and works well for even sensitive readers, since there isn't a murder and nothing grows dark. The plot is rather straightforward without giving much on the deeper, side-plots end outside of some lighter, possible motives from the suspects. There is a bit more dialogue than I've often seen in this type of book, which gives the reader some personality traits. So, while the reader is addressed with 'you' and makes the decisions, there is a main character-ish vibe about it, too.
It's an entertaining read, which doesn't deliver the clues in a way to make the solution obvious, and there's a lighter atmosphere to keep everything from even thinking about nodding toward a dark direction. It also practices those reading skills, since it's not overly quick or short. The illustrations add to the mystery and help with the delivery of the clues. Summed up, it's an entertaining read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Well thought-through detective 'Choose Your Own Adventure'.
I LOVED that series as a kid. With multiple fingers in multiple pages to go back and redo my choices. This one is actually better planned than that, so for these threads, you get to go round the same set of choices multiple times to pick up all the infomation you need before you move on. And when a choice takes you to a story 'end', it takes you back sometimes one step and sometimes more.
This was great. A teacher collapses on the floor before the Talent Show. The two students including You (in the second person) are journalist and photographer caught up at the right moment, making choices about who to interview, which rooms to look in for clues, what leads to follow.
This was a fairly quick read, with lots of choices regularly, lots of clues to pick up and give you hints (though I was wrong!) and even several endings that led roughly to the same place but with variations.
It was fun, I enjoyed traversing the choices and page options. Not too difficult for an independent reading in KS2 to manage, and an engaging story and set of characters (especially with Hollywood actors, suspicious students and teachers, lockers and a staff room to nosey around in!).
Loved the second-person narrator style too, worked perfectly and was one I remembered.
Great illustrations and visuals throughout, it kept you guessing and returning for for clues and to move forward.
One for ages 8 and above, confident readers who are at the stage of being able to retrieve information comfortably from a text.
With thanks to Walker Books for providing a sample reading copy.
I LOVED that series as a kid. With multiple fingers in multiple pages to go back and redo my choices. This one is actually better planned than that, so for these threads, you get to go round the same set of choices multiple times to pick up all the infomation you need before you move on. And when a choice takes you to a story 'end', it takes you back sometimes one step and sometimes more.
This was great. A teacher collapses on the floor before the Talent Show. The two students including You (in the second person) are journalist and photographer caught up at the right moment, making choices about who to interview, which rooms to look in for clues, what leads to follow.
This was a fairly quick read, with lots of choices regularly, lots of clues to pick up and give you hints (though I was wrong!) and even several endings that led roughly to the same place but with variations.
It was fun, I enjoyed traversing the choices and page options. Not too difficult for an independent reading in KS2 to manage, and an engaging story and set of characters (especially with Hollywood actors, suspicious students and teachers, lockers and a staff room to nosey around in!).
Loved the second-person narrator style too, worked perfectly and was one I remembered.
Great illustrations and visuals throughout, it kept you guessing and returning for for clues and to move forward.
One for ages 8 and above, confident readers who are at the stage of being able to retrieve information comfortably from a text.
With thanks to Walker Books for providing a sample reading copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
My daughter (8yo) and I have had this on repeat the last couple of weeks. She's read it through many many times on her, and we've read it through a few times together. It's a choose-your-own adventure style mystery novel, about a journalist trying to solve the mystery of who poisoned the school theater teacher right before the school talent show. There are numerous and frequent paths to pick, making it a swift, entertaining read for kids. I wish there were a few more interesting hooks beyond the mystery and choices. There's nothing to really learn or think more deeply about. My kid has about a dozen pick-your-path style books, and she always leaves them with some new fun facts, and it would've been nice to have that here, too. But still, it's highly entertaining and very accessible, and sure to be a hit with middle grade readers.
August 31, 2026
You vs the Poison Plot was such a fun reading experience! And I loved it even more because before, during, and after I had the best book chat with my 10yo about the book.
This is highly illustrated, but solidly a middle grade reading level. The mystery is fast-paced, and the opportunity to make decisions that impact the story are throughout. There are so many different possible endings, two mysteries that are actually solvable, and so many little details along the way to get the reader there. Lots of Scooby-Doo mystery vibes. Plus this is a planned series! We can't wait for book two.
We read the British version, but aside from the money references to pounds and a few different food and school terms, I can't imagine that the American version will be significantly different.
This is highly illustrated, but solidly a middle grade reading level. The mystery is fast-paced, and the opportunity to make decisions that impact the story are throughout. There are so many different possible endings, two mysteries that are actually solvable, and so many little details along the way to get the reader there. Lots of Scooby-Doo mystery vibes. Plus this is a planned series! We can't wait for book two.
We read the British version, but aside from the money references to pounds and a few different food and school terms, I can't imagine that the American version will be significantly different.
December 5, 2025
This is an easy read. The text is extremely accessible. The fun part is how you can pick a path to get different clues about the mystery.
Review of advance copy
I liked this book as it was really fun to read and I never got bored! Overall I'd give it 4 stars! Cant wait for the next one!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews