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Codebusters
Things are not going well for Jackson 'Jax' Hibert. He wanted to fit in at his new school but now everyone knows he's a math's whizz. Even worse, he's been asked to join a secret (and totally uncool) group of code breakers: the Cypherpunks. Their mission is to solve mysteries and fight crime. So far, they've found a missing hamster...
But now, someone has stolen the school's math prize from the trophy cabinet, and the only clue is a mysterious code. This looks like a case for the Cypherpunks!
Funny, exciting or a little bit spooky, Black Cats are fast-paced stories with short chapters and illustrations throughout - stepping stones to reading confidence.
But now, someone has stolen the school's math prize from the trophy cabinet, and the only clue is a mysterious code. This looks like a case for the Cypherpunks!
Funny, exciting or a little bit spooky, Black Cats are fast-paced stories with short chapters and illustrations throughout - stepping stones to reading confidence.
144 pages, Paperback
Published July 13, 2017
About the author
Dan Metcalf
24 books7 followersBorn at an early age, Dan Metcalf knew exactly what he was going to be when he grew up – tall. This was achieved before he even got to secondary school and so another career was decided on. The life of a chocolate teapot salesman is however fairly temperamental and so he decided to move to a job which was comparatively reliable – a writer.
He has written for radio, screen and magazines but is best known as the author of ‘The Lottie Lipton Adventures’ (although he is best known around where he lives as ‘That Weirdy Beardy Guy’). He is a full time writer and his biggest ambition is write a major children’s adventure series and create a superhero comic.
He has written for radio, screen and magazines but is best known as the author of ‘The Lottie Lipton Adventures’ (although he is best known around where he lives as ‘That Weirdy Beardy Guy’). He is a full time writer and his biggest ambition is write a major children’s adventure series and create a superhero comic.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 16, 2026
I have to knock a star off for the flub(s) in "The Codebusters Bootcamp" at the end - the numeric puzzle has at least two solutions (spoiler: ), and the text is supposed to read (spoiler follows) but instead reads (spoiler follows) , because whoever wrote it got the plaintext front-to-back in places. I mean.. it's just inexcusably sloppy. Get one person to test that first before you publish it, mate.
Story is quite flat. We don't get a solution to Elgar's identity (BUT SERIOUSLY, ISN'T IT OBVIOUS?! Who else would have Jackson's mum's phone number, or would want to encourage the new kid to make friends with the socially inept resident dorks? Who else would use prime numbers in a puzzle, or have access to the admin offices?!), though why they would risk the destruction of that Maths Trophy (or the school's new eco-boiler) does make me wonder... also, the Bragg brothers seem like the world's nicest bullies... not sure I bought that at all.
I am going to test that two-straw thing tomorrow though. Because I'm mature like that.
Additional points off because they go to a Jamaican mama's home, and Jamaican mama feeds them "real home cooking, the best I've ever tasted", and we don't get to hear WHAT it was?! No, doesn't fly with me. Also, Jasper Newton is totally Moss from the IT Crowd (I might need to watch the Countdown episode again). That's more of a compliment than a complaint. Love Richard Ayoade. Love him.
I love a nerdy book, so it'll get a solid 3 stars from me. But I can't really recommend it broadly.
Also, OSCAR is rather pointless (perhaps not in 2017, though, pre-ChatGPT), as is a contents list that gives Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three.. I mean, if it's in numerical order, do you NEED a contents page?!
The glowing praise from the Bloomsbury sock puppet who "reviewed" this book (and gave it a 5-star rating, unbiased, no doubt) also misspelled the main character's surname (Hilbert, not Hibert). Which she'd have known, had she read it - Jasper only ever refers to Jackson as "Mr. Hilbert", so you have plenty of exposure...
Story is quite flat. We don't get a solution to Elgar's identity (BUT SERIOUSLY, ISN'T IT OBVIOUS?! Who else would have Jackson's mum's phone number, or would want to encourage the new kid to make friends with the socially inept resident dorks? Who else would use prime numbers in a puzzle, or have access to the admin offices?!), though why they would risk the destruction of that Maths Trophy (or the school's new eco-boiler) does make me wonder... also, the Bragg brothers seem like the world's nicest bullies... not sure I bought that at all.
I am going to test that two-straw thing tomorrow though. Because I'm mature like that.
Additional points off because they go to a Jamaican mama's home, and Jamaican mama feeds them "real home cooking, the best I've ever tasted", and we don't get to hear WHAT it was?! No, doesn't fly with me. Also, Jasper Newton is totally Moss from the IT Crowd (I might need to watch the Countdown episode again). That's more of a compliment than a complaint. Love Richard Ayoade. Love him.
I love a nerdy book, so it'll get a solid 3 stars from me. But I can't really recommend it broadly.
Also, OSCAR is rather pointless (perhaps not in 2017, though, pre-ChatGPT), as is a contents list that gives Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three.. I mean, if it's in numerical order, do you NEED a contents page?!
The glowing praise from the Bloomsbury sock puppet who "reviewed" this book (and gave it a 5-star rating, unbiased, no doubt) also misspelled the main character's surname (Hilbert, not Hibert). Which she'd have known, had she read it - Jasper only ever refers to Jackson as "Mr. Hilbert", so you have plenty of exposure...
December 29, 2025
Codebusters is a fantastic, fast-paced, and clever mystery that proves being a math whizz is the ultimate superpower. Jackson ‘Jax’ Hibert just wants to fit in at his new school, but his talent for numbers gets him noticed, and recruited into the secret (and supposedly uncool) code-cracking club, the Cypherpunks. Their first mission? To find the school’s missing hamster. But when the prestigious math prize is stolen from the trophy cabinet, leaving only a mysterious code as a clue, Jax and his new friends are thrust into their first real case.
Dan Metcalf delivers a pitch-perfect blend of humor, suspense, and puzzle-solving that is perfectly tailored for newly confident readers. The codes are satisfying to crack alongside the characters, the short chapters keep the pace brisk, and the relatable theme of using your unique skills to save the day (and maybe make some friends) is empowering. The illustrations add to the fun, making this a perfect stepping stone into longer chapter books.
A brilliant, engaging read for any child who loves mysteries, puzzles, or stories about underdogs finding their place.
Dan Metcalf delivers a pitch-perfect blend of humor, suspense, and puzzle-solving that is perfectly tailored for newly confident readers. The codes are satisfying to crack alongside the characters, the short chapters keep the pace brisk, and the relatable theme of using your unique skills to save the day (and maybe make some friends) is empowering. The illustrations add to the fun, making this a perfect stepping stone into longer chapter books.
A brilliant, engaging read for any child who loves mysteries, puzzles, or stories about underdogs finding their place.
January 9, 2020
Great book for introducing lower Key Stage 2 children to code-breaking in a fun adventure. My full review is here: https://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home...
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April 4, 2026GR summary has the surname wrong: HILBERT
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews