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The Greystone Secrets #1
The Strangers
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Middle Grade & Children's (2019)What makes you you?
The Greystone kids thought they knew. Chess has always been the protector over his younger siblings, Emma loves math, and Finn does what Finn does best—acting silly and being adored. They’ve been a happy family, just the three of them and their mom.
But everything changes when reports of three kidnapped children reach the Greystone kids, and they’re shocked by the startling similarities between themselves and these complete strangers. The other kids share their same first and middle names. They’re the same ages. They even have identical birthdays. Who, exactly, are these strangers?
Before Chess, Emma, and Finn can question their mom about it, she takes off on a sudden work trip and leaves them in the care of Ms. Morales and her daughter, Natalie. But puzzling clues left behind lead to complex codes, hidden rooms, and a dangerous secret that will turn their world upside down.
The Greystone kids thought they knew. Chess has always been the protector over his younger siblings, Emma loves math, and Finn does what Finn does best—acting silly and being adored. They’ve been a happy family, just the three of them and their mom.
But everything changes when reports of three kidnapped children reach the Greystone kids, and they’re shocked by the startling similarities between themselves and these complete strangers. The other kids share their same first and middle names. They’re the same ages. They even have identical birthdays. Who, exactly, are these strangers?
Before Chess, Emma, and Finn can question their mom about it, she takes off on a sudden work trip and leaves them in the care of Ms. Morales and her daughter, Natalie. But puzzling clues left behind lead to complex codes, hidden rooms, and a dangerous secret that will turn their world upside down.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published April 2, 2019
1282 people are currently reading
27431 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Peterson Haddix
129 books6,337 followersMargaret Peterson Haddix grew up on a farm near Washington Court House, Ohio. She graduated from Miami University (of Ohio) with degrees in English/journalism, English/creative writing and history. Before her first book was published, she worked as a newspaper copy editor in Fort Wayne, Indiana; a newspaper reporter in Indianapolis; and a community college instructor and freelance writer in Danville, Illinois.
She has since written more than 25 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of Time; Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey; Leaving Fishers; Just Ella; Turnabout; Takeoffs and Landings; The Girl with 500 Middle Names; Because of Anya; Escape from Memory; Say What?; The House on the Gulf; Double Identity; Dexter the Tough; Uprising; Palace of Mirrors; Claim to Fame; the Shadow Children series; and the Missing series. She also wrote Into the Gauntlet, the tenth book in the 39 Clues series. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and more than a dozen state reader’s choice awards.
Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two children.
She has since written more than 25 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of Time; Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey; Leaving Fishers; Just Ella; Turnabout; Takeoffs and Landings; The Girl with 500 Middle Names; Because of Anya; Escape from Memory; Say What?; The House on the Gulf; Double Identity; Dexter the Tough; Uprising; Palace of Mirrors; Claim to Fame; the Shadow Children series; and the Missing series. She also wrote Into the Gauntlet, the tenth book in the 39 Clues series. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and more than a dozen state reader’s choice awards.
Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,642 reviews
September 5, 2019
3.5 Stars → I was intrigued by the premise of THE STRANGERS, and it had a strong start. After seeing a bizarre story on the news, the Greystone children's mother disappears, and Chess, Emma, and Finn are determined to bring her home. Their mom left behind only cryptic clues to her whereabouts, and it's going to take smarts and courage to find her. After the halfway point, the story took a strange turn that I wasn't expecting, like a genre change almost. It became slow and repetitive in parts, and unfortunately ended in a cliffhanger!! Overall, though, it was a fun middle grade mystery with sci-fi elements.
October 24, 2019
4 stars!
Margaret Peterson Haddix is an author that’s been around since I was a child. I remember one of my elementary school teachers reading her book Running Out of Time out loud to my class and loving it so much I begged my mom to go to the bookstore to buy it so I could read it again. Flash forward twenty years or so and I’m a children’s librarian now. When I saw she had this new book coming out I was intrigued by the cover (yes I read book based on covers, everyone does). I placed a hold on the audiobook and listened to it on my work commute.
I don’t want to give many spoilers away and it’s easy to do so I won’t say much about the plot. Three siblings hear on the news that three other children with the same names and born on the same date are kidnapped. Their mother begins acting weird and then disappears. With the help of a girl named Natalie, the three children search their home and mother’s office for clues as to where she went and why.
I really enjoyed this book, I think it’s a great middle grade read. There’s a girl who loves math and science (yay!), a responsible older brother and an endearing younger brother. This book was very much about what we are capable of doing when we all work together, and that every family has secrets (muahahaha!). It does end on a cliffhanger so if you are on the fence I would wait to read it until the next book comes out in about 6-7 months from when I am posting this review.
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Margaret Peterson Haddix is an author that’s been around since I was a child. I remember one of my elementary school teachers reading her book Running Out of Time out loud to my class and loving it so much I begged my mom to go to the bookstore to buy it so I could read it again. Flash forward twenty years or so and I’m a children’s librarian now. When I saw she had this new book coming out I was intrigued by the cover (yes I read book based on covers, everyone does). I placed a hold on the audiobook and listened to it on my work commute.
I don’t want to give many spoilers away and it’s easy to do so I won’t say much about the plot. Three siblings hear on the news that three other children with the same names and born on the same date are kidnapped. Their mother begins acting weird and then disappears. With the help of a girl named Natalie, the three children search their home and mother’s office for clues as to where she went and why.
I really enjoyed this book, I think it’s a great middle grade read. There’s a girl who loves math and science (yay!), a responsible older brother and an endearing younger brother. This book was very much about what we are capable of doing when we all work together, and that every family has secrets (muahahaha!). It does end on a cliffhanger so if you are on the fence I would wait to read it until the next book comes out in about 6-7 months from when I am posting this review.
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April 23, 2019
My recommendation to anyone who wants to read this book is to go in almost completely blind. This book is like a puzzle. Trying to put the pieces together as you read this book is half the fun. I'll confess that my theory didn’t pan out but I did still enjoy it!
If you have read any other Haddix book you are going to enjoy this one. This book has mystery and intrigue in abundance. So much so that I had a hard time putting it down even when it too late in the night and later too early in the morning. Though I lost some interest in the book after the puzzle was solved.
If you have read any other Haddix book you are going to enjoy this one. This book has mystery and intrigue in abundance. So much so that I had a hard time putting it down even when it too late in the night and later too early in the morning. Though I lost some interest in the book after the puzzle was solved.
February 3, 2021
2 stars.
Huh. Well, this was...interesting.
Confession: I requested this with my e-library weeks ago and after it came in, I didn’t reread the back of the book. So, I didn’t remember what this story was about. I thought the beginning parts were a bit boring, but once the twist happened, my head started to hurt a bit. I would consider is a Fantasy-genre twist (and we all know my thoughts on fantasy) but because it was a middle grade book, I was able to follow along decently and not notice any major plot holes.
Now, that middle grade rating. With the twist and those parts at the end, I personally thought it was just a bit much (dark and depressing, that is) for readers in that age group. But, to each (parent) their own (children). I wouldn’t be comfortable recommending this to that age group, but that’s because of the content, suspenseful and dangerous parts, along with some attitudes.
Content:
Many mentions of kidnappings, kidnapped children, & the bad guys; Mentions of car accidents, death (of the kid’s father), a murder/killing, & murderers; Mentions of divorces & women having to hide from their abusive husbands/boyfriends; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of pop culture (Harry Potter, Starbucks, etc);
Stupid, dumb, shut up, and duh are all said;
Natalie argues with her mom for the sake of pretending to be her normal self when she wants something done (not sure how else to explain it, I just know I wouldn’t want my kids imitating her attitude).
Huh. Well, this was...interesting.
Confession: I requested this with my e-library weeks ago and after it came in, I didn’t reread the back of the book. So, I didn’t remember what this story was about. I thought the beginning parts were a bit boring, but once the twist happened, my head started to hurt a bit. I would consider is a Fantasy-genre twist (and we all know my thoughts on fantasy) but because it was a middle grade book, I was able to follow along decently and not notice any major plot holes.
Now, that middle grade rating. With the twist and those parts at the end, I personally thought it was just a bit much (dark and depressing, that is) for readers in that age group. But, to each (parent) their own (children). I wouldn’t be comfortable recommending this to that age group, but that’s because of the content, suspenseful and dangerous parts, along with some attitudes.
Content:
Many mentions of kidnappings, kidnapped children, & the bad guys; Mentions of car accidents, death (of the kid’s father), a murder/killing, & murderers; Mentions of divorces & women having to hide from their abusive husbands/boyfriends; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of pop culture (Harry Potter, Starbucks, etc);
Stupid, dumb, shut up, and duh are all said;
Natalie argues with her mom for the sake of pretending to be her normal self when she wants something done (not sure how else to explain it, I just know I wouldn’t want my kids imitating her attitude).
March 21, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! It was full of adventure and code breaking fun. I thought it was interesting and I loved the code breaking aspect and the results of finding out what happened to these kids' mother. I didn't enjoy Finn's character. I felt he was in the way and too impulsive for the dangerous situations they were in. It didn't completely blow my mind, but I really did enjoy it and think it's a great story for middle graders.
Content Warning: death of a parent, kidnapping
Content Warning: death of a parent, kidnapping
March 11, 2019
*Thank you so much Katherine Tegan Books at HarperCollins for providing me an eARC from Edelweiss in exchanged for an honest review.
*dnfed at 60%
1.75 / 5 stars
The Greystone children have always had a happy, close relationship with their mother. When a kidnapping occurs that hits too close to home, all things become chaotic for this family. The Greystone children are separated from their mother after she mysteriously goes away for work and they are left to hunt for answers.
I really tried to enjoy this one, but I just could not. There was nothing unique about the children and it was so hard to differentiate who was who. I could not remember which personality traits went with each child. As I read each chapter I could not remember which child’s POV was being used. I thought that all the characters were so bland and the mystery was extremely lacking. I was intrigued by the mystery as well as few things that occur; ultimately though the mystery was not that great to me. While the mystery is interesting, not much happens in this story. When all the elements are combined together, it’s just not enough to hold my interest despite of how much I wish it would.
I gave this book a fair shot, but it just was not for me. I think this book would be a good middle grade for those just entering a more middle grade reading transition. However, I have read amazing middle grade that I adore so age difference is not the main issue for me and this book.
*dnfed at 60%
1.75 / 5 stars
The Greystone children have always had a happy, close relationship with their mother. When a kidnapping occurs that hits too close to home, all things become chaotic for this family. The Greystone children are separated from their mother after she mysteriously goes away for work and they are left to hunt for answers.
I really tried to enjoy this one, but I just could not. There was nothing unique about the children and it was so hard to differentiate who was who. I could not remember which personality traits went with each child. As I read each chapter I could not remember which child’s POV was being used. I thought that all the characters were so bland and the mystery was extremely lacking. I was intrigued by the mystery as well as few things that occur; ultimately though the mystery was not that great to me. While the mystery is interesting, not much happens in this story. When all the elements are combined together, it’s just not enough to hold my interest despite of how much I wish it would.
I gave this book a fair shot, but it just was not for me. I think this book would be a good middle grade for those just entering a more middle grade reading transition. However, I have read amazing middle grade that I adore so age difference is not the main issue for me and this book.
August 20, 2019
Very clever and twisty mystery! Such an unusual premise, and yet Haddix carries it off . . . because of course she does! Very excited for the next one, to find out more!
April 15, 2023
بعد از سالها، و وقتی میگم سالها یعنی نزدیک ۸ سال😂، یه کتاب middle grade خوندم!
این کتاب رو هم خیلی اتفاقی و به پیشنهاد یه نفر شروع کردم و وقتی داشتم میخوندمش حس کردم چقدر دلم برای دنیایی تنگ شده که بچههای ۱۱ ۱۲ ساله از بزرگتراشون خیلی باهوشن و با وجود اینکه بچهن از پس همهی کارا بر میان:)
این کتاب پلات خیلی خوبی داشت که دلیل این بود که شروعش کردم. پیشرفت این پلات هم، پیشرفت خوبی بود. مخصوصا برای کتاب اول یه مجموعه بودن.
نکتهی مثبتش این بود که نویسنده توی ایدهی خودش گم نشده بود و توی توضیح و جلو بردن ایدهی جذابش خیلی خوب عمل کرده بود.
چیزی که باعث شد کتابو با علاقه بخونم و تمومش کنم ولی...شخصیتاش بود! علاوه بر اینکه تکتک شخصیتاشو خیلی دوست داشتم، به خصوص چِس، رابطهشون باهم خیلی قشنگ بود. این رابطه عمیق بین خواهر و برادرها توی کتابایی غیر از middle grade، خیلی کمتر هست...و چس، اِما و فین، یکی از رویاییترین روابط رو داشتن که باعث میشد از ته دلم از اینکه تکفرزندم متنفر بشم😂
اتفاقا و طرز فکر بچههای این کتاب منو یاد روزایی افتاد که کتابهای مجموعهی "A series of unfortunate events" رو پشت هم میخوندم و اون مجموعه بهترین بخش تابستون یازده سالگیم بود...و دلم برای این حس خیلی تنگ شده بود!
این کتاب رو هم خیلی اتفاقی و به پیشنهاد یه نفر شروع کردم و وقتی داشتم میخوندمش حس کردم چقدر دلم برای دنیایی تنگ شده که بچههای ۱۱ ۱۲ ساله از بزرگتراشون خیلی باهوشن و با وجود اینکه بچهن از پس همهی کارا بر میان:)
این کتاب پلات خیلی خوبی داشت که دلیل این بود که شروعش کردم. پیشرفت این پلات هم، پیشرفت خوبی بود. مخصوصا برای کتاب اول یه مجموعه بودن.
نکتهی مثبتش این بود که نویسنده توی ایدهی خودش گم نشده بود و توی توضیح و جلو بردن ایدهی جذابش خیلی خوب عمل کرده بود.
چیزی که باعث شد کتابو با علاقه بخونم و تمومش کنم ولی...شخصیتاش بود! علاوه بر اینکه تکتک شخصیتاشو خیلی دوست داشتم، به خصوص چِس، رابطهشون باهم خیلی قشنگ بود. این رابطه عمیق بین خواهر و برادرها توی کتابایی غیر از middle grade، خیلی کمتر هست...و چس، اِما و فین، یکی از رویاییترین روابط رو داشتن که باعث میشد از ته دلم از اینکه تکفرزندم متنفر بشم😂
اتفاقا و طرز فکر بچههای این کتاب منو یاد روزایی افتاد که کتابهای مجموعهی "A series of unfortunate events" رو پشت هم میخوندم و اون مجموعه بهترین بخش تابستون یازده سالگیم بود...و دلم برای این حس خیلی تنگ شده بود!
August 11, 2019
I do love a good alternate universe story. So many possibilities and mental gymnastics. The three kids in this book each take the narrative forward in alternating chapters. Three children with the same names and birthdays have been kidnapped and then their mom disappears. With the help of Natalie (daughter of their babysitter) they work together to find her and rescue her from unknown enemies. Can't wait for the second installment. There are still people who need rescuing! I might have to watch some episodes of "Fringe" while I wait.
March 18, 2019
I think this idea is fantastic, but the characters are so wooden and goody-goody that it's kind of boring, even with such an interesting premise.
December 16, 2019
The story begins when the children come home one day to find their mother a bit distraught. Something is clearly bothering her as she listens to the TV or radio where they are stating that three children have been kidnapped – three siblings from Arizona with identical first and middle names as well as ages/birth dates of each of the Greystone children. That night Chess overhears his mom talking to someone named “Joe” saying he “needed to fix it.” The next day when the kids get up to go to school their mom tells them she has a business trip in Chicago she needs to go on and will be gone for a few days, but she has found someone to take care of them – the mother of another student. Things are strange as they only receive texts from their mom on the first day gone, but the kids very quickly discover that their mom has prewritten the texts and timed when they will be sent out with the last one saying that she is sorry she can’t come back home.
Before reading this book, I read one review that said it was best to go into this story blind. I can somewhat see what they might be saying, but sometimes it’s nice to know at least what sub-genre you might be picking up. Historical fiction? Fantasy? This one is very unusual to me because it touches a topic or subject in science fiction that can be difficult to relay to the readers – even in adult books. While reading it, my immediate thoughts reminded me of A Wrinkle in Time. While The Strangers is clearly not the same book, it reminded me of when I was in 5th grade watching the book through a film projector (not a movie, but scenes with narration). As I watched A Wrinkle in Time, I remember trying to grasp the concepts it was portraying to us because it was so foreign to me. This is one of those books where there is an unusual concept to grasp, but I think it was explained and shown just about as well as it could be.
Audio Book Review:
Intense. That’s at least what it felt like for me when listening to the story on audio. The story is written in 3 POVs: Chess, Emma, and Finn, who are the three Greystone children in the story. As the children each tell the story from their point of view we get this overall sense of urgency and seriousness as they try to uncover what is really going on and how to get their mother back. The audio book really seemed to portray this very well as I had to stop it sometimes just to get an emotional and mental break. Who knew middle grade audio books could have such an effect?
My favorite character to listen to was Finn, who is the youngest. The narrator really created a terrific child-like voice to portray him. I could immediately tell it was Finn narrating when it came to be his turn. He was also the one who provided emotional breaks for me while listening as his take on things were sometimes rather cute to listen to.
Overall, this was an engaging story to listen to that I think fans of A Wrinkle in Time might enjoy or for those who are looking for books where life is just a little bit off and not quite settled.
Length: 7hrs 56 minutes
Rating: 5 stars
Before reading this book, I read one review that said it was best to go into this story blind. I can somewhat see what they might be saying, but sometimes it’s nice to know at least what sub-genre you might be picking up. Historical fiction? Fantasy? This one is very unusual to me because it touches a topic or subject in science fiction that can be difficult to relay to the readers – even in adult books. While reading it, my immediate thoughts reminded me of A Wrinkle in Time. While The Strangers is clearly not the same book, it reminded me of when I was in 5th grade watching the book through a film projector (not a movie, but scenes with narration). As I watched A Wrinkle in Time, I remember trying to grasp the concepts it was portraying to us because it was so foreign to me. This is one of those books where there is an unusual concept to grasp, but I think it was explained and shown just about as well as it could be.
Audio Book Review:
Intense. That’s at least what it felt like for me when listening to the story on audio. The story is written in 3 POVs: Chess, Emma, and Finn, who are the three Greystone children in the story. As the children each tell the story from their point of view we get this overall sense of urgency and seriousness as they try to uncover what is really going on and how to get their mother back. The audio book really seemed to portray this very well as I had to stop it sometimes just to get an emotional and mental break. Who knew middle grade audio books could have such an effect?
My favorite character to listen to was Finn, who is the youngest. The narrator really created a terrific child-like voice to portray him. I could immediately tell it was Finn narrating when it came to be his turn. He was also the one who provided emotional breaks for me while listening as his take on things were sometimes rather cute to listen to.
Overall, this was an engaging story to listen to that I think fans of A Wrinkle in Time might enjoy or for those who are looking for books where life is just a little bit off and not quite settled.
Length: 7hrs 56 minutes
Rating: 5 stars
November 24, 2020
Blah, this is a 'low' two-star rating. It wasn't so bad that I didn't finish, but this was a disappointment. First, this book was entirely too long for its weak plot. A set of siblings hear in the news that another set of 3 siblings, with their exact same names & birthdays have gone missing. After which, their mother starts acting shady & disappears on a 'business trip.' It's no surprise that this story is leading to an 'alternate universe' plot twist. The reader must endure endless internal angst from all 3 kids, as well as the retelling of the exact same experiences from the perspective of each child. This gets boring as hell. The kids aren't interesting, are rather whiny, weirdly judgemental, and I honestly couldn't care about them. Seeing as they are the main protagonists, this is a bit of a problem. They team up with a slightly older girl (the daughter of a woman who is letting the kids stay with her while their mother is gone) who had been a classmate, but the boy can't get over the fact that she had been popular. And popular = mean girl, apparently? Even though she's the only one helping the siblings, they are puzzlingly rude and mean to her. The alternate world lacks internal logic as well, and I don't really have any interest in going into it. I honestly kind of hate this book.
Just skip it. I told my kids not to even bother with it...there are much better books out there.
Just skip it. I told my kids not to even bother with it...there are much better books out there.
February 12, 2020
What happens when three kids read about the kidnapping of three other kids - all with their names and exact ages? The premise of the first volume in this middle grade series was promising, and although the middle lagged quite a bit, the ending was pretty spectacular.
April 21, 2019
A fun, alternate universe story.
August 4, 2019
This is the story of three siblings who are separated from their mother after she mysteriously vanishes and they are left to hunt for answers. I really liked the first half of the book, but the last half I struggled with due to the story becoming a little unrealistic for me. I was expecting mystery, but it was more science fiction based than anything else. The plot was a little weak, with not much happening, and at 400 pages it was too long and repetitive. Lastly, this book ends on a cliffhanger without really solving anything, only setting up for book 2. I don't think I'll continue this series.
Read
July 8, 2019Enjoyed this very much. I especially liked the suspenseful chapter endings and the layers that could be appreciated by an adult. Certain conversations and actions immediately had me thinking, “Ah! Been there.” Ms. Haddix included so much insight in her story. I definitely plan to read the sequel.
November 28, 2024
May 2022
Actual rating: 4.5
I thoroughly enjoyed this! Suspenseful and fast-paced, this middle-grade mystery thriller is guaranteed to keep you hooked from beginning to end. Looking forward to the next book.
Actual rating: 4.5
I thoroughly enjoyed this! Suspenseful and fast-paced, this middle-grade mystery thriller is guaranteed to keep you hooked from beginning to end. Looking forward to the next book.
May 5, 2019
This was such a fun, enthralling read! Once I started, it was a true struggle to put it down- there was so much happening and I NEEDED to know how things were going to work out for these kids and their mum. The pacing was perfect- the plot moved at a rapid pace, whilst still allowing time for the reader to understand exactly what was happening (there is a science-fiction element that I think was explained well for younger readers). I loved the puzzles and clues the kids had to work out, and the kids themselves were amazingly well developed. I CANNOT wait for the next book. Highly recommend for middle grade readers!!
June 5, 2021
This book is everything I need❤️ Mystery, middle grade, three siblings who care for each other , a good friend and a secret…..
It all started when three siblings-Chess, Emma and Finn, returns home one day and finds their mom behaving very oddly. They comes to know that three children, who are three siblings just like them, are disappeared or kiddnapped and are nowhere to be found.
The main thing is that …..Chess , Emma and Finn share the same name, birthday and haircolour with those kiddnapped children😱
Before they can figure out what is happening, their mom abruptly leaves saying that she has to go because of some business work. Then the siblings meet Natalie who plays a very inportant part in this book. With the help of their new friend, the siblings unreveals a shocking truth❤️
I loved this book VERY much but the only dissapointed was the author’s writing style😞 The writing style was really very bland. The story started up really gripping but got really boring at some parts. Many things in this book were unecessary which made it a bit boring😭
I loved Finn, he is so cute and smart❤️ Everybody thinks that he is 9 years old and is silly but in reallity he is quite intelligent.
At first, I didn’t like Natalie, she was always busy on her phone and was quite bossy. But what she did for the sibling was really very sweet. I like and disliked her at the same time🙄❤️Then comes Emma, Emma loves to solve codes and is really very intelling just like her brother, Chess.
Overall, this was a really interesting book and I liked the ending…..though it was loose😭
I loved it❤️
Go for it….
It all started when three siblings-Chess, Emma and Finn, returns home one day and finds their mom behaving very oddly. They comes to know that three children, who are three siblings just like them, are disappeared or kiddnapped and are nowhere to be found.
The main thing is that …..Chess , Emma and Finn share the same name, birthday and haircolour with those kiddnapped children😱
Before they can figure out what is happening, their mom abruptly leaves saying that she has to go because of some business work. Then the siblings meet Natalie who plays a very inportant part in this book. With the help of their new friend, the siblings unreveals a shocking truth❤️
I loved this book VERY much but the only dissapointed was the author’s writing style😞 The writing style was really very bland. The story started up really gripping but got really boring at some parts. Many things in this book were unecessary which made it a bit boring😭
I loved Finn, he is so cute and smart❤️ Everybody thinks that he is 9 years old and is silly but in reallity he is quite intelligent.
At first, I didn’t like Natalie, she was always busy on her phone and was quite bossy. But what she did for the sibling was really very sweet. I like and disliked her at the same time🙄❤️Then comes Emma, Emma loves to solve codes and is really very intelling just like her brother, Chess.
Overall, this was a really interesting book and I liked the ending…..though it was loose😭
I loved it❤️
Go for it….
November 30, 2021
DISCLAIMER: I received a digital review copy of THE STRANGERS via Edelweiss Above the Treeline in exchange for an honest review
Let me just start by saying...WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT
I shouldn’t expect anything other than amazing plot twists from Margaret Peterson Haddix, but wow. This one was really just...wow.
A LITTLE SUMMARY:
This story is basically about three kids - Chess, Emma, and Finn Greystone - who come home from school one day, and overhear a news broadcast talking about three kids from Arizona who were kidnapped with their exact same names, which definitely creeps these kids out. The day after that happens, their mom announces that she’s going on an unexpected business trip and doesn’t know when she’ll come back. The Greystone kids then go to live with a woman who used to be friends with their mom, and who has a daughter of her own, Natalie. From there, they start to notice a bunch of screwy things going on and decide to investigate, sending the four kids on this crazy mission.
Okay, I can’t say too much without giving away spoilers and believe me, you do not want to get spoilers for this book, but think Nickelodeon’s mystery series HUNTER STREET meets Netflix’s STRANGER THINGS.
But yeah, all in all, definitely one of my favorite Haddix books, and definitely purchasing when it gets released.
Let me just start by saying...WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT
I shouldn’t expect anything other than amazing plot twists from Margaret Peterson Haddix, but wow. This one was really just...wow.
A LITTLE SUMMARY:
This story is basically about three kids - Chess, Emma, and Finn Greystone - who come home from school one day, and overhear a news broadcast talking about three kids from Arizona who were kidnapped with their exact same names, which definitely creeps these kids out. The day after that happens, their mom announces that she’s going on an unexpected business trip and doesn’t know when she’ll come back. The Greystone kids then go to live with a woman who used to be friends with their mom, and who has a daughter of her own, Natalie. From there, they start to notice a bunch of screwy things going on and decide to investigate, sending the four kids on this crazy mission.
Okay, I can’t say too much without giving away spoilers and believe me, you do not want to get spoilers for this book, but think Nickelodeon’s mystery series HUNTER STREET meets Netflix’s STRANGER THINGS.
But yeah, all in all, definitely one of my favorite Haddix books, and definitely purchasing when it gets released.
September 18, 2018
Read
November 5, 2021DNF at 24% this got rave reviews but honestly to me it’s lackluster
April 10, 2019
I want to start this by saying, I dont normally read middle grade books, but the plot of this sounded interesting and It was available to me immediately at the library to reserve before it was published. I did not at all expect to be so drawn in my the story. Its close to see how resemblances to A Wrinkle In Time have been made, and I would go a step further to say that it also has a big Stranger Things vibe going on too. Part of it is magical realism, though it's definitely rooted more in reality and technology than the two aforementioned examples.
Three siblings go missing, and three other siblings with the same names, birthdays, and other similar characteristics suddenly have to deal with changes in their world that seem beyond comprehension. Their mother leaves for an unexpected trip, they are left with a woman who they have never met before, and her daughter that seems to know more about what's going on than they do...but as you get through the book you quickly find out that none of them could have thought of what was truly going on in their wildest dreams.
From genius riddles and puzzles that need to be solved, code words like succotash, and a cliffhanger ending that will leave you wanting more...this book offers up great adventures for kids and keeps their imagination on their toes from page to page. A highly original story, and jam packed with mystery and intrigue.
Three siblings go missing, and three other siblings with the same names, birthdays, and other similar characteristics suddenly have to deal with changes in their world that seem beyond comprehension. Their mother leaves for an unexpected trip, they are left with a woman who they have never met before, and her daughter that seems to know more about what's going on than they do...but as you get through the book you quickly find out that none of them could have thought of what was truly going on in their wildest dreams.
From genius riddles and puzzles that need to be solved, code words like succotash, and a cliffhanger ending that will leave you wanting more...this book offers up great adventures for kids and keeps their imagination on their toes from page to page. A highly original story, and jam packed with mystery and intrigue.
November 25, 2019
This is super cute and fun! I love middle grade mysteries, they have so much going on but in a clear, easy to understand way. The kids were adorable, especially Finn and the audio narrator did a fantastic job with the voices. The plot was fun and intriguing and I'm excited to read the second book.
August 12, 2018
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. The Strangers. Katherine Tegen Books, 2019.
Chess, Emma, and Finn come home from school to find their mother staring at her laptop, where there is a news recording of three children in Arizona who have been kidnapped. Three children who have the exact same first and middle names as they do and who share their birthdays. The next day their mother has to leave town for work, and the trio stumble into a mystery that has them looking for clues, breaking secret codes, and traveling to other worlds.
I remember reading and loving Haddix's Hidden Children series as well as her book Running Out of Time. I was very excited, then, to receive a digital ARC of this book to review. Similar to Haddix's other books, this book is filled with lots of action and adventure to help keep kids reading and turning the pages. Unlike many of her other works, though, this one has a rather slow build. There is a lot of explanation and a lot of description of the kids sitting around trying to figure things out. If you have read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, you'll remember the 100+ pages when Harry and Hermione (and sometimes Ron) are camping - they move from place to place and keep trying to figure things out, but there isn't much action in that section of the book. It's the same in this book for the first 75% or so.
It's a very slow build up, which makes it quite different from many other of Haddix's shorter, compelling stories. Because of this, I wouldn't give this book to a reluctant or struggling reader, but I would give it to a child who enjoyed A Wrinkle in Time, and I would give it to a child who had read all of Haddix's other works and was looking for a new book to read. The story is interesting, but not compelling. It's a solid clean read, though, so keep it on your shelves for patrons who want books without violence or language.
Recommended for: middle grade
Red Flags: mild peril
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars
Read-Alikes: Book Scavenger, What We Found In the Sofa and How It Saved the World, A Wrinkle in Time
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Edelweiss for the purpose of review.
Chess, Emma, and Finn come home from school to find their mother staring at her laptop, where there is a news recording of three children in Arizona who have been kidnapped. Three children who have the exact same first and middle names as they do and who share their birthdays. The next day their mother has to leave town for work, and the trio stumble into a mystery that has them looking for clues, breaking secret codes, and traveling to other worlds.
I remember reading and loving Haddix's Hidden Children series as well as her book Running Out of Time. I was very excited, then, to receive a digital ARC of this book to review. Similar to Haddix's other books, this book is filled with lots of action and adventure to help keep kids reading and turning the pages. Unlike many of her other works, though, this one has a rather slow build. There is a lot of explanation and a lot of description of the kids sitting around trying to figure things out. If you have read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, you'll remember the 100+ pages when Harry and Hermione (and sometimes Ron) are camping - they move from place to place and keep trying to figure things out, but there isn't much action in that section of the book. It's the same in this book for the first 75% or so.
It's a very slow build up, which makes it quite different from many other of Haddix's shorter, compelling stories. Because of this, I wouldn't give this book to a reluctant or struggling reader, but I would give it to a child who enjoyed A Wrinkle in Time, and I would give it to a child who had read all of Haddix's other works and was looking for a new book to read. The story is interesting, but not compelling. It's a solid clean read, though, so keep it on your shelves for patrons who want books without violence or language.
Recommended for: middle grade
Red Flags: mild peril
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars
Read-Alikes: Book Scavenger, What We Found In the Sofa and How It Saved the World, A Wrinkle in Time
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Edelweiss for the purpose of review.
July 27, 2018
I received a digital review copy of THE STRANGERS via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
We follow the story of the siblings Chess, Emma and Finn. One day, after coming home from school, they discover from TV that some children with their exact same names and birthdate were kidnapped in Arizona. The day after, their mom leaves for a business trip and leave them with the stranger Mrs. Morales and her daughter Natalie but soon, they will find out that their mom is not coming back and a huge mystery floats around them, those kidnapped kids and their mom's past.
3.5 Stars.
I really liked the first part, it was a full 4.5 stars but at 70% of the book i quiet lost interest and the story felt a lot less believable (even thou the sci-fi elements are not bad at all) but still, i enjoyed myself very much and couldn't wait to find out what was happening.
I really liked how the three point of views from each child is developed and explains a little bit more, not only about the story and the plot that progress, but even what they are feeling, what they are thinking individually and how each of them is different and at a different age stage.
I think this is seriously an excellent middle grade and i can't wait to read more about the Greystone kids!
We follow the story of the siblings Chess, Emma and Finn. One day, after coming home from school, they discover from TV that some children with their exact same names and birthdate were kidnapped in Arizona. The day after, their mom leaves for a business trip and leave them with the stranger Mrs. Morales and her daughter Natalie but soon, they will find out that their mom is not coming back and a huge mystery floats around them, those kidnapped kids and their mom's past.
3.5 Stars.
I really liked the first part, it was a full 4.5 stars but at 70% of the book i quiet lost interest and the story felt a lot less believable (even thou the sci-fi elements are not bad at all) but still, i enjoyed myself very much and couldn't wait to find out what was happening.
I really liked how the three point of views from each child is developed and explains a little bit more, not only about the story and the plot that progress, but even what they are feeling, what they are thinking individually and how each of them is different and at a different age stage.
I think this is seriously an excellent middle grade and i can't wait to read more about the Greystone kids!
January 7, 2025
This was a good book that kids and adults can enjoy. I’d say the genre is a mix of fantasy, science fiction, and mystery. I like the sibling bond the three main characters have with each other and their close relationship with their mom. I enjoyed the kids having to put their brains to work to figure out where their mom had vanished to. I like the idea of venturing through a place and suddenly you’re in a different world/dimension; outside of the real world. This is quite typical in many fantasy books: Chronicles of Narnia, Wildwood, Coraline, et cetera. I definitely liked the latter part of the book over the beginning and middle. The ending was its strength and makes me want to continue with the series. Overall, this book held my attention to the very end.
December 28, 2019
3.5 ⭐️
This one started off really good and suspenseful for me then it just went on too long. The surprise was a bit too sci-fi for me when I was expecting a mystery. The constant alternating points of view also annoyed me a bit and wasn’t that necessary. It made many chapters 2 pages long, making it a total of 61 chapters. Many kids might enjoy having shorter chapters but I found them staccato and didn’t allow me to enjoy each character as long as I’d like. It also ends on a cliffhanger leading into book 2, FYI.
This one started off really good and suspenseful for me then it just went on too long. The surprise was a bit too sci-fi for me when I was expecting a mystery. The constant alternating points of view also annoyed me a bit and wasn’t that necessary. It made many chapters 2 pages long, making it a total of 61 chapters. Many kids might enjoy having shorter chapters but I found them staccato and didn’t allow me to enjoy each character as long as I’d like. It also ends on a cliffhanger leading into book 2, FYI.
April 16, 2023
داشت خیلی خوشم میومد ازش ولی، برعکس دوسوم ایتدای کتاب که خوب پیش رفت و جزئیات خوبی هم داشت، یکسوم انتهایی یکهو پا رو گذاشت رو گاز و جزئیاتش برام دیگه خیلی جالب نبود
مثلاً یه جای خفن هم تموم شد که خواننده ترغیب بشه بره سراغ جلد دو. ولی خب، من اگر دستم برسه، جلد دو رو هم میخونم دیگه
:)
رو یه چیزایی هی تأکید میکرد؛ باهمبودن و عشق و اینا در صورتی که لازم نبود و از شرح احساس شخصیتها مشخص بود. زاویهی دید هم جالب بود که از دید هر سهتا بچه روایت میکرد
ناتالی هم خوب بود
مثلاً یه جای خفن هم تموم شد که خواننده ترغیب بشه بره سراغ جلد دو. ولی خب، من اگر دستم برسه، جلد دو رو هم میخونم دیگه
:)
رو یه چیزایی هی تأکید میکرد؛ باهمبودن و عشق و اینا در صورتی که لازم نبود و از شرح احساس شخصیتها مشخص بود. زاویهی دید هم جالب بود که از دید هر سهتا بچه روایت میکرد
ناتالی هم خوب بود
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