What do you think?
Rate this book
The Memory Trap
Accused of committing various pranks, Henry Dunne must investigate and uncover the real troublemaker—before he takes the fall.
Being the new kid in middle school is never easy. For Henry, it’s a lonely, miserable nightmare that causes him to retreat into himself with card tricks and a technique known as The Memory Palace—every card is linked to a location in his old home. This brings him some comfort…
Until he’s accused of committing various pranks.
With the prankster’s calling card being a joker from a blue-backed bicycle deck—Henry’s favorite—it’s no wonder he’s the number one suspect. With the help of some new friends, he’ll go on a mission to discover the true identity of the prankster and clear his name. But the prankster’s sinister motives lead to very real danger…
Greg Koren (Do Over, 2016) has written a novel for middle school-grade readers that Kirkus Reviews calls "thoughtful and perceptive, with offbeat humor, twisty puzzles, and exciting action." The Memory Trap isn't just for young readers, though. It's for anybody seeking a smart mystery that celebrates family, forgiveness, and living in the moment.
Being the new kid in middle school is never easy. For Henry, it’s a lonely, miserable nightmare that causes him to retreat into himself with card tricks and a technique known as The Memory Palace—every card is linked to a location in his old home. This brings him some comfort…
Until he’s accused of committing various pranks.
With the prankster’s calling card being a joker from a blue-backed bicycle deck—Henry’s favorite—it’s no wonder he’s the number one suspect. With the help of some new friends, he’ll go on a mission to discover the true identity of the prankster and clear his name. But the prankster’s sinister motives lead to very real danger…
Greg Koren (Do Over, 2016) has written a novel for middle school-grade readers that Kirkus Reviews calls "thoughtful and perceptive, with offbeat humor, twisty puzzles, and exciting action." The Memory Trap isn't just for young readers, though. It's for anybody seeking a smart mystery that celebrates family, forgiveness, and living in the moment.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2019
5 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
About the author
Greg Koren
3 books46 followersGreg Koren is a semi-pro magician. Maybe that isn’t the best fact to lead with; he also holds a Bachelor of Science in English with concentration in writing. Over the course of 15 years, he worked as a newspaper reporter, a columnist, an Associate Editor of the East Baltimore Guide and Senior Features Writer for the Carroll County Times. Needless to say, he’s a pro and can back his experience with accolades and awards including the Maryland State Teachers Association’s School Bell Award for excellence in education reporting, and the Associated Press’ Mark Twain Award for outstanding features writing.
In 1998, Greg and his wife traded places, and he became the at-home parent. A year later, he decided to homeschool, making him one of three Baltimore homeschooling fathers. Reading aloud to his children, Max and Mara, as well as those homeschooling years, opened his eyes to the exciting world of children’s fiction. Immediately taken with the powerful storytelling in middle-grade books, he banged out his first manuscript and… the rest is history.
In 1998, Greg and his wife traded places, and he became the at-home parent. A year later, he decided to homeschool, making him one of three Baltimore homeschooling fathers. Reading aloud to his children, Max and Mara, as well as those homeschooling years, opened his eyes to the exciting world of children’s fiction. Immediately taken with the powerful storytelling in middle-grade books, he banged out his first manuscript and… the rest is history.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 7, 2019
I received a complimentary copy from the author, whom I consider a friend. These comments are my objective thoughts having finished the book.
Henry, Brook, and Principal Pal, the three main characters, I found quite likeable. Plot worked for me as I'm interested in cardistry and magic. The climactic scene held my attention, improbable though it may have been. The teen romance angle is handled especially well.
My "quibbles" here (as an acquaintance would put it) had to do with the principal's mother bring a bit over-the-top, as well as the subplot about Lamont, a fellow student. His character seemed grafted onto the story, rather than part of it; whenever he became prominent in a chapter, there was an implication of something more, and a change of direction. It's dealt with at the end, but by then overshadowed by events as a whole.
If you are a Young Adult genre fan, this one is recommended as a good story that explores serious themes, but a fun read as well.
Henry, Brook, and Principal Pal, the three main characters, I found quite likeable. Plot worked for me as I'm interested in cardistry and magic. The climactic scene held my attention, improbable though it may have been. The teen romance angle is handled especially well.
My "quibbles" here (as an acquaintance would put it) had to do with the principal's mother bring a bit over-the-top, as well as the subplot about Lamont, a fellow student. His character seemed grafted onto the story, rather than part of it; whenever he became prominent in a chapter, there was an implication of something more, and a change of direction. It's dealt with at the end, but by then overshadowed by events as a whole.
If you are a Young Adult genre fan, this one is recommended as a good story that explores serious themes, but a fun read as well.
December 26, 2019
Deep Issues and Shallow Inconsistencies
In terms of enjoyment of the story, I give this story five stars. I felt like this easy-to-read story was packed with enough mystery and action to satisfy any upper elementary and middle school student. The author had a surprising amount of tough issues and concepts that his characters dealt with throughout the story: jealousy, friendship, home, abuse, evolution of relationships, loneliness, etc. I enjoyed his use of figurative language to create great imagery. So, why did I drop a star on my rating?
There was times where I felt like things were not consistent with explicit details. However, since these inconsistencies did not affect the overall telling of the story, most readers will be able to overlook them. For example, the parent’s restaurant is Amandine. This makes me think that the restaurant is French, but the text says that it is an Italian restaurant. However, the staff speaks Spanish at the restaurant, and I didn’t feel like we had an Italian dish until the end of the story.
Another detail that required me to overlook was the fact that Henry, Brook, and Lamont were seventh graders. While I felt like Lamont and Brook acted like seventh graders mostly, Henry usually felt older than his age due to thoughts. At first, I thought he was suppose to be some unlabeled genius, but then in an attempt to make him seem more his age, he often didn’t know vocabulary used by adults, so that kind of nixed the genius idea for me. He thought way more critically and analytically then any seventh grader that I have ever taught though.
Perhaps the conflict in how I perceive Henry is due to the third person narrator because the narrator’s descriptions show a lot of intelligence. Such as when describing how loud the air horn was in the classroom, the narrator compares the decibel levels to a rock concert.
In the end, readers can easily overlook these faults because, like previously stated, they do not affect the plot of the story, and for being as easy-to-read as it is, I was well pleased how the themes were presented. I think that contemporary authors fall into the trap of character types such as the idiotic or overbearing teacher/authority figure and allow main characters to display behaviors that are not constructive or healthy as cool. While the author did skirt along those character types with characters such as Mrs. Chu and the principal’s assistant, he balanced it out with a likable Ms. Davis and a empathetic Principal Pal. Also, Henry lies, gets angry, wants revenge (and even swears that he will get his revenge), but he often shows remorse and demonstrates that when you learn more about others, you can often find forgiveness and compassion for those who hurt you. And that, folks, is refreshing to see in a middle grade novel.
In terms of enjoyment of the story, I give this story five stars. I felt like this easy-to-read story was packed with enough mystery and action to satisfy any upper elementary and middle school student. The author had a surprising amount of tough issues and concepts that his characters dealt with throughout the story: jealousy, friendship, home, abuse, evolution of relationships, loneliness, etc. I enjoyed his use of figurative language to create great imagery. So, why did I drop a star on my rating?
There was times where I felt like things were not consistent with explicit details. However, since these inconsistencies did not affect the overall telling of the story, most readers will be able to overlook them. For example, the parent’s restaurant is Amandine. This makes me think that the restaurant is French, but the text says that it is an Italian restaurant. However, the staff speaks Spanish at the restaurant, and I didn’t feel like we had an Italian dish until the end of the story.
Another detail that required me to overlook was the fact that Henry, Brook, and Lamont were seventh graders. While I felt like Lamont and Brook acted like seventh graders mostly, Henry usually felt older than his age due to thoughts. At first, I thought he was suppose to be some unlabeled genius, but then in an attempt to make him seem more his age, he often didn’t know vocabulary used by adults, so that kind of nixed the genius idea for me. He thought way more critically and analytically then any seventh grader that I have ever taught though.
Perhaps the conflict in how I perceive Henry is due to the third person narrator because the narrator’s descriptions show a lot of intelligence. Such as when describing how loud the air horn was in the classroom, the narrator compares the decibel levels to a rock concert.
In the end, readers can easily overlook these faults because, like previously stated, they do not affect the plot of the story, and for being as easy-to-read as it is, I was well pleased how the themes were presented. I think that contemporary authors fall into the trap of character types such as the idiotic or overbearing teacher/authority figure and allow main characters to display behaviors that are not constructive or healthy as cool. While the author did skirt along those character types with characters such as Mrs. Chu and the principal’s assistant, he balanced it out with a likable Ms. Davis and a empathetic Principal Pal. Also, Henry lies, gets angry, wants revenge (and even swears that he will get his revenge), but he often shows remorse and demonstrates that when you learn more about others, you can often find forgiveness and compassion for those who hurt you. And that, folks, is refreshing to see in a middle grade novel.
May 9, 2019
Really enjoyed this book! An aspiring magician is framed for pranks that are causing disruption in his middle school, and he is on a quest to uncover the culprit and clear his own name. Love how the mystery unfolds and we learn more about him, his family, and friends.
The author does a great job of getting the reader into the head of this awkward, shy middle schooler - I think kids of that age would relate to him.
I stayed up late to finish the book, which shows just how much l liked reading this novel.
The author does a great job of getting the reader into the head of this awkward, shy middle schooler - I think kids of that age would relate to him.
I stayed up late to finish the book, which shows just how much l liked reading this novel.
January 23, 2020
I won this Kindle edition book in a Goodreads
Giveaway. Thank you to everyone involved.
An easy to read book. Very entertaining.
Giveaway. Thank you to everyone involved.
An easy to read book. Very entertaining.
December 30, 2019
I thought this was a great story! Very relatable and realistic characters who are going through a lot of real middle school problems...and get thrown into some good mysteries! Definitely kept me entertained and turning pages. All around a fun read!
January 5, 2020
The past or the present?
Henry is the new kid in town, who love magic. But when someone at school begins playing pranks, he worries that people think it is him. Then the principal asks for his help and things go sideways.
I enjoyed the characters and the interaction between the principal and the kids. The magic is tricky and forgiveness is hard. But friendship can conquer all.
Henry is the new kid in town, who love magic. But when someone at school begins playing pranks, he worries that people think it is him. Then the principal asks for his help and things go sideways.
I enjoyed the characters and the interaction between the principal and the kids. The magic is tricky and forgiveness is hard. But friendship can conquer all.
August 31, 2019
Middle school kids interested in magic and mystery stories would enjoy this book. An interesting mix of plot lines, which, of course, all tie together at the end in a classic Hardy Boys style, keeps the story from being too simple. I'm not entirely happy that the author tipped as much as he does about some specific higher level magic methods, but that also should inspire kids to work on those methods until they can do them cold. The presence of a love interest, who can give as well as she is given, was a welcome angle.
August 6, 2019
I highly recommend this book for the middle schooler who enjoys magic and a little mystery. I am an adult that runs a youth book club, and enjoyed this story very much. Greg did a gret job touching many young teen topics, and handling them well. I was engaged into the story from beginning to end. Some of the characters were a bit off the wall, but that's part of the charm this book has.
March 2, 2021
(Won this book on Goodreads) I didn't realize when I chose this book that it was more of a younger read. However, it was a cute story with relatable characters who keep you guessing. There is a jokester in the school and neighborhood who is framing Henry for his doings. This is how Harry works with his friends to find out who it is.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews