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Who in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?
Based on the Netflix original series with a foreword by Gina Rodriguez. For decades, people have asked the Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? But just who is this infamous and elusive globe-trotting criminal?
A skilled thief on a mysterious mission, Carmen Sandiego is endlessly pursued by ACME and Interpol. But the woman in the red fedora is always one step ahead! In this novelization, based on the Netflix animated series, Carmen shares her own backstory for the first time ever. Now, it's time to find out.... Who in the world is Carmen Sandiego.
A skilled thief on a mysterious mission, Carmen Sandiego is endlessly pursued by ACME and Interpol. But the woman in the red fedora is always one step ahead! In this novelization, based on the Netflix animated series, Carmen shares her own backstory for the first time ever. Now, it's time to find out.... Who in the world is Carmen Sandiego.
196 pages, Hardcover
First published January 22, 2019
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872 people want to read
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September 14, 2018First an Oregon Trail choose-your-own-adventure book and NOW THIS. I am reliving my 90s computer classes in book form and I could not be happier.
August 2, 2025
꒰ 🌹 ꒱ mini review ! ⊹ ࣪ ˖
although this was very similar to the first two episodes of carmen sandiego, it added a little bit of lore that didn’t make it into the show! however, i did feel like they dumbed it down and some changes were unnecessary. it was a very easy read since the writing was very basic. i’m a big fan of the show and definitely recommend that tho!!
although this was very similar to the first two episodes of carmen sandiego, it added a little bit of lore that didn’t make it into the show! however, i did feel like they dumbed it down and some changes were unnecessary. it was a very easy read since the writing was very basic. i’m a big fan of the show and definitely recommend that tho!!
December 27, 2023
i love the show and i enjoyed this too! it's nice reading it in book version because there are more details mentioned than in the show, and we get a bigger view/understanding of her mind/thoughts/actions, character relationships, experience at VILE and out of VILE, etc.
I was using this kind of like a side book, aka reading in between books, or occasional switching from my main read to this when I felt like it. OR if I'm reading a dramatic fantasy atst, and wanted something a bit more chill before bed, this was so perfect and fun!! ❤️
carmen sandiego is one of the best fictional characters period.
I was using this kind of like a side book, aka reading in between books, or occasional switching from my main read to this when I felt like it. OR if I'm reading a dramatic fantasy atst, and wanted something a bit more chill before bed, this was so perfect and fun!! ❤️
carmen sandiego is one of the best fictional characters period.
December 22, 2019
Adapted from the screenplay for the Netflix animated series, this book faithfully depicts the origin story of Carmen Sandiego. Most of the story is told as a flashback of Carmen’s time in a thieving school run by V.I.L.E. (Villains' International League of Evil) and includes most of the instructors, agents, and students that are depicted on the TV show including Professor Maelstrom, Coach Brunt, Dr. Bellum, Countess Cleo, Graham/Gray, Cookie Booker, Tigress, El Topo, Le Chevre, Paper Star, Mime Bomb, and of course, Player. We get to see how and why she becomes such a master criminal through her classes and interactions with other students. But, more importantly, we see how she comes to realize she doesn’t really belong on that side of the law and begins to use her skills to become a Robin Hood-like figure.
The book was fairly fast-paced with interesting characters but it does read much like watching animated action. For example, in one sequence, Carmen hears a crossbow bolt being fired at her but somehow has time to run to a wall, grab a shield from a display and manage to block the bolt before it reaches her. You just have to go with it.
Whether you’re picking this up for nostalgia reasons like I did or reading it for the pleasure of seeing how a young girl learns to stand up for herself and her beliefs, it’s a fun read.
The book was fairly fast-paced with interesting characters but it does read much like watching animated action. For example, in one sequence, Carmen hears a crossbow bolt being fired at her but somehow has time to run to a wall, grab a shield from a display and manage to block the bolt before it reaches her. You just have to go with it.
Whether you’re picking this up for nostalgia reasons like I did or reading it for the pleasure of seeing how a young girl learns to stand up for herself and her beliefs, it’s a fun read.
January 30, 2019
Who in the World is Carmen Sandiego by Rebecca Tinker is an Audible production and narrated by Kyla Garcia. This was one of my favourite games and it was interesting to hear of the back story of the famous master criminal. An entertaining account with terrific narration.
August 6, 2022
A competently written adaptation of the Netflix series (I'm not sure how it reads if you haven't watched the show, but hopefully well). A bit slow in the first half, but the second half flies by.
Carmen Sandiego was raised on an isolated tropical island, where she was cared for by the faculty of V.I.L.E., a superthief organization and academy which serves as her found family. She's one of the most talented thieves to have ever lived... but when she realizes that stealing isn't a game or a victimless crime, she can never look at V.I.L.E. the same again - in fact, she resolves to work against her former adoptive family.
Carmen Sandiego was raised on an isolated tropical island, where she was cared for by the faculty of V.I.L.E., a superthief organization and academy which serves as her found family. She's one of the most talented thieves to have ever lived... but when she realizes that stealing isn't a game or a victimless crime, she can never look at V.I.L.E. the same again - in fact, she resolves to work against her former adoptive family.
October 2, 2020
Решил послушать перед третьим сезоном мультсериала. Кармен Сандиего - моё гилти плежа)) Книга оказалась типичным фансервисом, в которой тупо пересказываются события первых трех серий. А расистская озвучка книги прям дико бесит. Все эти кривляния японского и французского произношения вовсе необязательны в 20-м году. Уверен, что при чтении текста в вашей голове у персонажей нет никакого акцента.
March 23, 2021
4.5☆ 😌
May 11, 2019
Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? What 80s and 90s kid doesn't remember the video game and TV show about the thief Carmen Sandiego and her henchmen? This story is similar to the recent wave of Disney movies that attempts to explain the origin story of a noted villain in order to make her more sympathetic. Carmen Sandiego is the world's greatest thief and a thorn in the side of the Interpol inspector chasing her but who is she really? No one knows. Abandoned as a baby, "Black Sheep" as she was known, was raised on a top secret island that houses a school for thieves! Black Sheep can't wait to join the VILE Academy and become a thief. She loves the thrill of playing pranks and the risk of running away from punishment, but she wants to be a thief in order to travel the world above all else. Black Sheep longs for a connection to the outer world and a stolen cellphone leads to an unexpected friendship that will change her destiny.
This story gets off to a slow start. There's a lot of telling and presumably the showing comes in the form of the Netflix series. Then the action picks up and I could NOT put the book down. I had to skim ahead to see what happened. I stayed up late finishing it. However much I enjoyed it though, this Carmen Sandiego doesn't really fit with the image I have from the video game and show. I will have to refresh my memory of the game because none of the characters from this book ring a bell in my memory.
The book does serve the purpose for making me want to watch the Netflix show.
This story gets off to a slow start. There's a lot of telling and presumably the showing comes in the form of the Netflix series. Then the action picks up and I could NOT put the book down. I had to skim ahead to see what happened. I stayed up late finishing it. However much I enjoyed it though, this Carmen Sandiego doesn't really fit with the image I have from the video game and show. I will have to refresh my memory of the game because none of the characters from this book ring a bell in my memory.
The book does serve the purpose for making me want to watch the Netflix show.
January 23, 2019
Yes, I read this. Zero shame. Zero regrets.
I <3 Carmen Sandiego.
I <3 Carmen Sandiego.
April 17, 2024
I am not familiar with the show so my review is all about the book as experienced by someone who is meeting Carmen Sandiego for the first time. I must say I was impressed. I was not expecting this to be so well written and the main character to be so relatable and likeable. She is a thief taught at a school of thieves so if you are into atypical schools you will definitely enjoy this book. But she is a thief with a consciousness so she ends up stealing from those who taught her. The action is well paced, the side characters are nice enough and who can resist a vigilante who dresses all in red? I can't.
September 18, 2023
This book was fun, exciting and absolutely wonderful. I grew up watching “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego” and this book reimagines this character in a whole new way. I loved reading this book with my kids and I can’t wait to check out the Netflix series. Definitely a must read. 👍
June 15, 2019
What a hoot - a blast from the past. Going back into the world of Carmen Sandiego and learning all about her history, where she came from and how she came to be the thief she is today. A quick easy read that will be enjoyable for all of us of a certain age who were so very familiar with Ms Sandiego in our youth and the learning to navigate the rise of the computer age!
January 22, 2019
It was an average book. Nothing spectacular but not bad in the slightest. Quick easy read for a quick trip down nostalgia lane. Loved the show in the 90’s.
October 12, 2019
sympa / jeunesse
September 13, 2021
Está lindo, pero recomiendo más la serie...
January 30, 2020
*This review can also be found on my blog, The Never-Ending TBR Pile: https://wendylohr.wordpress.com/2020/...
Adventure, capers, and crime. Even though this is a relatively short book, it was packed full of these three things! And as skeptical as I was at first about reading this, I was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed it.
I will be the first to admit that even though I grew up at the time when Carmen Sandiego was first making her appearance in our world, I didn't have any interest in following her exploits or trying to find her. I had other interests as I entered middle and high school, but I was aware of the Carmen Sandiego phenomenon. So receiving this book for Christmas one year had me slightly puzzled and I just shrugged and stuck it on my TBR Pile to read at a later date.
Now, two years later, I'm finally getting around to it and kind of regret I waited so long to see what the hype was all about! This book actually is Carmen's origin story and explains where she's from and how she was raised to believe that stealing was a good thing, a fun and exciting game that she wanted to be the best at. And it was hard not to be fondly amused at her antics to be the best little thief in the world, but it was also kind of sad that she was doing it as a way to be close to her quirky 'family' of master thieves.
As the story progresses, it's revealed how she manages to escape (the first time) the island she's called home her entire life, only to learn what her 'family' is really all about. And that lesson is a hard one for her to swallow. But, after being retrieved and taken back to the island, she realizes what she needs to do and, with the help of a voice on the other end of a stolen cell phone that goes by the name of Player, she slowly discovers that she actually can put her criminal talents to good use.
It's a thrill-seeking, fast-paced novel that kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. The only reason I didn't rate it higher (and the reason is more personal than anything to do with the storyline) is that it is written at a more basic reading level. The book is really meant for a younger audience of readers, but is definitely a fun read for adults as well. I just believe that most young readers would not have had any trouble if it had been written at a bit higher level. But this is just a personal opinion and by no means should detract from anyone wanting to read this book!
In all, a great, fun, and thrilling read for any age. I know this is now a Netflix series and after reading this book, I'll definitely have to check it out! So, whether you were a Carmen Sandiego fan when you were a kid, never followed her, or are just discovering her, this is a great book to check out if you're even the least bit curious!
Adventure, capers, and crime. Even though this is a relatively short book, it was packed full of these three things! And as skeptical as I was at first about reading this, I was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed it.
I will be the first to admit that even though I grew up at the time when Carmen Sandiego was first making her appearance in our world, I didn't have any interest in following her exploits or trying to find her. I had other interests as I entered middle and high school, but I was aware of the Carmen Sandiego phenomenon. So receiving this book for Christmas one year had me slightly puzzled and I just shrugged and stuck it on my TBR Pile to read at a later date.
Now, two years later, I'm finally getting around to it and kind of regret I waited so long to see what the hype was all about! This book actually is Carmen's origin story and explains where she's from and how she was raised to believe that stealing was a good thing, a fun and exciting game that she wanted to be the best at. And it was hard not to be fondly amused at her antics to be the best little thief in the world, but it was also kind of sad that she was doing it as a way to be close to her quirky 'family' of master thieves.
As the story progresses, it's revealed how she manages to escape (the first time) the island she's called home her entire life, only to learn what her 'family' is really all about. And that lesson is a hard one for her to swallow. But, after being retrieved and taken back to the island, she realizes what she needs to do and, with the help of a voice on the other end of a stolen cell phone that goes by the name of Player, she slowly discovers that she actually can put her criminal talents to good use.
It's a thrill-seeking, fast-paced novel that kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. The only reason I didn't rate it higher (and the reason is more personal than anything to do with the storyline) is that it is written at a more basic reading level. The book is really meant for a younger audience of readers, but is definitely a fun read for adults as well. I just believe that most young readers would not have had any trouble if it had been written at a bit higher level. But this is just a personal opinion and by no means should detract from anyone wanting to read this book!
In all, a great, fun, and thrilling read for any age. I know this is now a Netflix series and after reading this book, I'll definitely have to check it out! So, whether you were a Carmen Sandiego fan when you were a kid, never followed her, or are just discovering her, this is a great book to check out if you're even the least bit curious!
May 19, 2019
Cute backstory about Carmen’s past and how she came to be the super villain she is.
August 1, 2022
An excellent novelization of the first two episodes of the show.
October 13, 2019
Un libro ideal para público infantil y no tanto.
Una edición maravillosa en tapa dura con pequeños detalles que no hacen más que darle un toque bonito.
Como ya dije, no es la historia que mi yo infante y el adulto le dábamos a la famosísima Carmen Sandiego pero no está mal.
Se nota mucho que ahora Carmen fue comprada por Mattel (sí la empresa de juguetes Barbie, Monster high, Ever after high, etc) se nota porque la protagonista es PERFECTA y no comete errores, quieren darle un toque especial al darle un origen complicado pero no hacen más que utilizarlos como vagas excusas y motivaciones como razón para que Carmen Sandiego ame viajar, ser una famosa ladrona, etc.
Carmen es ahora una chiquilla joven y conoceremos unos orígenes que no me parecen tan épicos como me lo imaginé en mi tierna infancia mirando el programa de televisión.
Además de perder la meta que tenían los creadores originales de Carmen: ayudarnos a conocer el mundo y de historia.
El libro, por momentos se detiene a dar detalles que pueden parecer vagos y simplones.
Por ello creo que el público al que está dirigido puede comenzar por el infantil y de allí no tener límites ya que es una historia que todos pueden disfrutar en mayor o menor cantidad.
Una edición maravillosa en tapa dura con pequeños detalles que no hacen más que darle un toque bonito.
Como ya dije, no es la historia que mi yo infante y el adulto le dábamos a la famosísima Carmen Sandiego pero no está mal.
Se nota mucho que ahora Carmen fue comprada por Mattel (sí la empresa de juguetes Barbie, Monster high, Ever after high, etc) se nota porque la protagonista es PERFECTA y no comete errores, quieren darle un toque especial al darle un origen complicado pero no hacen más que utilizarlos como vagas excusas y motivaciones como razón para que Carmen Sandiego ame viajar, ser una famosa ladrona, etc.
Carmen es ahora una chiquilla joven y conoceremos unos orígenes que no me parecen tan épicos como me lo imaginé en mi tierna infancia mirando el programa de televisión.
Además de perder la meta que tenían los creadores originales de Carmen: ayudarnos a conocer el mundo y de historia.
El libro, por momentos se detiene a dar detalles que pueden parecer vagos y simplones.
Por ello creo que el público al que está dirigido puede comenzar por el infantil y de allí no tener límites ya que es una historia que todos pueden disfrutar en mayor o menor cantidad.
January 30, 2019
Where do I begin? I was never in the original hype of Carmen’s run in the 90’s. I never knew much about the story. But, I knew Carmen Sandiego was a woman of power and in this middle grade adaptation, I was definitely not disappointed.
Carmen Sandiego is a powerful character, and in this adaptation I was amazed to read her back story and how she became the mysterious Carmen Sandiego.
If not for nostalgia purposes, I’d recommend everybody picks up this adventurous adaptation.
Carmen Sandiego is a powerful character, and in this adaptation I was amazed to read her back story and how she became the mysterious Carmen Sandiego.
If not for nostalgia purposes, I’d recommend everybody picks up this adventurous adaptation.
February 8, 2019
I, unlike Gina Rodriguez and many others, did not grow up with the mysterious Carmen Sandiego. I didn’t know the name until college, when she was mentioned by a friend in passing. So this book was really the first time I’ve gotten a chance to experience the phenomenon—and it was so worth it! This book is a great adventure for children and long time fans of Carmen. Plenty of mystery and twists, it’s a great book that I’m sure many readers will enjoy. I look forward to watching the show!
April 12, 2019
4.5 stars
Loved discovering more of what Carmen experienced as a VILE student in this novelization of the TV show. It surprisingly covers only the first two episodes. Most of it is the same but there are some additions to the story like her meeting Paper Star, a new professor I believe, and just more of Carmen's POV. I hope the next book dives into how she met the siblings in the TV show. I'm curious to see how much it'll cover.
Loved discovering more of what Carmen experienced as a VILE student in this novelization of the TV show. It surprisingly covers only the first two episodes. Most of it is the same but there are some additions to the story like her meeting Paper Star, a new professor I believe, and just more of Carmen's POV. I hope the next book dives into how she met the siblings in the TV show. I'm curious to see how much it'll cover.
July 21, 2019
My daughter loved it. I found it inane. Unrealistic tech, plot holes, etc. Definitely a kids book. She'd give it a 5, I'd give it 1, so we settle on 3.
July 16, 2019
LOVED THIS!
First things first, to truly enjoy this, you're going to need to let go of the Carmen from your childhood. It's just that simple. If I, someone who grew up loving the cartoon, the live-action show, the computer game, and the board game, aaaaand who had no qualms dressing up as Carmen for Halloween as an adult (are you catching the fangirl theme here?), can enjoy this, then you can, too.
So there's an entirely different storyline (she's no longer a rogue ACME employee who took up with VILE), and she's been made into a much nicer person, but this is still totally engaging. She's just more explicitly kinder and gentler than there were hints of in the original series. Anyway. There is a lot of heart and humor in the book--touches like saying VILE stood for Valuable Imports, Lavish Exports, was hilarious. The random mime was a treat.
I liked how they re-interpreted Player--it worked for the context of the book, and I really enjoyed her fellow students. Making the villains sympathetic added a level of nuance that you don't always see in children's books. The staff were great as well. The academic in me however, wants to know why some are professors while others are instructors. Did the mere instructors not receive their Ph.D. in Villainy? As I think about it, all of the characters felt important and not just like scenery. I even liked the beleaguered French inspector.
The back-and-forth between the past and present was effective, and done in a way that made you look forward to the next section, so much so, that I didn't want it to end!
On a final note--Lambkins is such a cute name! Overall, a surprisingly cute and clever take on Carmen, and it makes me want to check out the Netflix series. Also, I totally need someone to write an adult version of this book, because even though they kept describing Carmen and Gray as being like siblings, I totally could see them as an ill-fated couple.
First things first, to truly enjoy this, you're going to need to let go of the Carmen from your childhood. It's just that simple. If I, someone who grew up loving the cartoon, the live-action show, the computer game, and the board game, aaaaand who had no qualms dressing up as Carmen for Halloween as an adult (are you catching the fangirl theme here?), can enjoy this, then you can, too.
So there's an entirely different storyline (she's no longer a rogue ACME employee who took up with VILE), and she's been made into a much nicer person, but this is still totally engaging. She's just more explicitly kinder and gentler than there were hints of in the original series. Anyway. There is a lot of heart and humor in the book--touches like saying VILE stood for Valuable Imports, Lavish Exports, was hilarious. The random mime was a treat.
I liked how they re-interpreted Player--it worked for the context of the book, and I really enjoyed her fellow students. Making the villains sympathetic added a level of nuance that you don't always see in children's books. The staff were great as well. The academic in me however, wants to know why some are professors while others are instructors. Did the mere instructors not receive their Ph.D. in Villainy? As I think about it, all of the characters felt important and not just like scenery. I even liked the beleaguered French inspector.
The back-and-forth between the past and present was effective, and done in a way that made you look forward to the next section, so much so, that I didn't want it to end!
On a final note--Lambkins is such a cute name! Overall, a surprisingly cute and clever take on Carmen, and it makes me want to check out the Netflix series. Also, I totally need someone to write an adult version of this book, because even though they kept describing Carmen and Gray as being like siblings, I totally could see them as an ill-fated couple.
February 8, 2019
3.5
Huge thank you to Raincoast for this ARC!
Growing up, I was a huge Carmen Sandiego fan. I loved the cartoon, the game show, the education games, everything with her name on it, I was a fan. I was so excited when Netflix announced that they would be creating a new storyline for the iconic thief and that Gina Rodriguez would be the lead.
This book is an origin story of sorts. It looks at Carmen's background to how she got into becoming a thief, and her relationship with "Player." There's not really much to this story, though it was a quick romp to say the least. I liked how the relationship between Carmen and Player was portrayed, I loved how action-packed this story was as well!
There's not much too this book, and since I haven't watched the Netflix series yet, I'd be curious how the book and show work together. I think if you're a young reader, Carmen is a fun role model to have, especially as a feminist icon. However, if you're looking for something deep, this book is not it. If you want a fun, fluffy, romp, then give it a try!
Huge thank you to Raincoast for this ARC!
Growing up, I was a huge Carmen Sandiego fan. I loved the cartoon, the game show, the education games, everything with her name on it, I was a fan. I was so excited when Netflix announced that they would be creating a new storyline for the iconic thief and that Gina Rodriguez would be the lead.
This book is an origin story of sorts. It looks at Carmen's background to how she got into becoming a thief, and her relationship with "Player." There's not really much to this story, though it was a quick romp to say the least. I liked how the relationship between Carmen and Player was portrayed, I loved how action-packed this story was as well!
There's not much too this book, and since I haven't watched the Netflix series yet, I'd be curious how the book and show work together. I think if you're a young reader, Carmen is a fun role model to have, especially as a feminist icon. However, if you're looking for something deep, this book is not it. If you want a fun, fluffy, romp, then give it a try!
February 8, 2019
I grew up playing the Carmen Sandiego video games. And I loved them to bits. So no shame when I saw this and picked it up! It's an enjoyable little adventure especially for children. Which, I suspect, the for children part is to blame for all my gripes with the book. For one thing, it is too short. Not enough character development or events happen that feel like they should. Leaving the book feeling more like a skeletal outline of a book. Plus, this story takes place in VILE's school. You'd think a school for super thieves would be fun more like a school for sith. But no, everyone is very well adjusted and aside from the subject matter, perfectly normal. It feels a little weird.
Finally, there are some more changes. These aren't necessarily had per se, but they are there. ACME, the good guy agency, no longer exists, having been replaced with interpol. Carmen is no longer ACME's top agent who got bored with no challenge and thus founded V.I.L.E to challenge ACME agents, but rather a child who grew up with V.I.L.E and I'm sure you can guess what she does by the end of the book.
Other than that, I had fun though! It was a delight to see Carmen come back in all her glory and yes, even the name-puns have made it i here! It's worth a read of you were a fan of the original.
Finally, there are some more changes. These aren't necessarily had per se, but they are there. ACME, the good guy agency, no longer exists, having been replaced with interpol. Carmen is no longer ACME's top agent who got bored with no challenge and thus founded V.I.L.E to challenge ACME agents, but rather a child who grew up with V.I.L.E and I'm sure you can guess what she does by the end of the book.
Other than that, I had fun though! It was a delight to see Carmen come back in all her glory and yes, even the name-puns have made it i here! It's worth a read of you were a fan of the original.
May 20, 2019
This is the origin story I didn't know I wanted! I played the computer game and watched the TV game show as a kid. I knew it was all a clever ploy to get kids interested in geography and it absolutely worked for me. Can't wait to check out the Netflix series.
February 23, 2019
Ce livre aurait pu être génial si je n’avais pas déjà vu la série parce qu’on n’apprends rien de nouveau je ne pensais pas que c’était une retranscription 🤷🏾♀️
July 14, 2019
This is a charming book for young readers. I'm not familiar with the video game, so don't have any expectations for the characters or plot.
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