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Epic Ellisons: Cosmos Camp: An Adventure About Genius Twins Going Undercover to Stop a Rocket Saboteur for Kids
An Edgar Allan Poe Award Nominee!
From Edgar Award nominee and WNDB cofounder Lamar Giles, this middle grade adventure stars the Epic Ellison twins as they race to solve the mystery of Cosmos Camp for young geniuses in a stand-alone companion to the Legendary Alston Boys series.
School’s out, and Wiki and Leen Ellison are facing a new challenge…their first summer apart. Genius inventor Leen has been accepted to Petey Thunkle’s world-famous summer training program for STEM prodigies with their eyes on the stars. Meanwhile, Wiki is looking forward to her first summer on her own, running the family corn stand and outclassing Otto and Sheed Alston.
But the night before Leen’s departure, the twins find out that Wiki has also been accepted into the same camp (even though she didn’t apply). And they are...not thrilled. This summer was never supposed to be a Twin Thing. The situation soon goes from bad to worse—because the Ellisons haven’t been invited just to participate in the program.
They’re there to solve a mystery.
Someone (or something) has been tampering with the company’s upcoming big-deal rocket launch. Now the sisters are undercover, dealing with hypercompetitive campers by day and trying to stop the mysterious saboteur by night.
All is not as it seems at PeteyTech. There are bigger, badder forces at play than the girls could’ve imagined. And if Wiki and Leen don’t get their act together fast, their first epic adventure away from Logan County could end up an epic fail...for the entire world.
From Edgar Award nominee and WNDB cofounder Lamar Giles, this middle grade adventure stars the Epic Ellison twins as they race to solve the mystery of Cosmos Camp for young geniuses in a stand-alone companion to the Legendary Alston Boys series.
School’s out, and Wiki and Leen Ellison are facing a new challenge…their first summer apart. Genius inventor Leen has been accepted to Petey Thunkle’s world-famous summer training program for STEM prodigies with their eyes on the stars. Meanwhile, Wiki is looking forward to her first summer on her own, running the family corn stand and outclassing Otto and Sheed Alston.
But the night before Leen’s departure, the twins find out that Wiki has also been accepted into the same camp (even though she didn’t apply). And they are...not thrilled. This summer was never supposed to be a Twin Thing. The situation soon goes from bad to worse—because the Ellisons haven’t been invited just to participate in the program.
They’re there to solve a mystery.
Someone (or something) has been tampering with the company’s upcoming big-deal rocket launch. Now the sisters are undercover, dealing with hypercompetitive campers by day and trying to stop the mysterious saboteur by night.
All is not as it seems at PeteyTech. There are bigger, badder forces at play than the girls could’ve imagined. And if Wiki and Leen don’t get their act together fast, their first epic adventure away from Logan County could end up an epic fail...for the entire world.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 9, 2023
1 person is currently reading
2482 people want to read
About the author
Lamar Giles
33 books623 followersLamar "L. R." Giles writes books for teens and adults. FAKE ID, his debut Young Adult Thriller, will be published by HarperCollins in 2014. He is represented by Jamie Weiss Chilton of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency and resides in Chesapeake, VA with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 17, 2023
Loved this from the Ellisons vantage point. I am interested in what made him touch on the Twins wanting their Individuality? Many times ppl forget or choose not to see that though they are twins, they have different goals and interests.
Though they are not in Logan County, the Epic Ellisons are at risk and needed! Wiki and Leen think they are getting time apart to grow and step into their own, until they aren't. It is a set up from the beginning! The tasks presented to them must require them to put their emotions on the table, face the truth and handle business....together.
Though they are not in Logan County, the Epic Ellisons are at risk and needed! Wiki and Leen think they are getting time apart to grow and step into their own, until they aren't. It is a set up from the beginning! The tasks presented to them must require them to put their emotions on the table, face the truth and handle business....together.
May 2, 2023
This was a really cute middle grade read. I loved the twins Wiki and Leen and enjoyed following them throughout the book. I also liked how this book had some illustrations throughout it. This was a great time traveling mystery for young readers.
February 11, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This companion volume to The Legendary Alston Boys focuses on Wiki and Leen, who appear in that story as the Alston Brothers rivals. Leen is super excited to go to Cosmos Camp for the summer, and Wiki is thrilled that she will finally get some time alone, when she doesn't have to clean up after her twin or deal with her drama. Sadly, however, a heavily pregnant Anna, who is from Logan County and married to the very rich Petey Thunkle, gives Wiki a scholarship to the camp, and the twins' parents think it is great that both of them can spend a summer there. Anna has a task for the two-- Petey has gone missing, and she wants the twins to find him. The two settle into the camp, under the tutelage of Dr. Antoinette Burr and her two robot assistants, Sam and Ralph, for four weeks. They meet the other campers, and start to work on their prototypes for space shuttles while trying to investigate Petey's whereabouts. There are secrets that start to emerge; the Ellison family farm is in danger, Dr. Burr is not working for the camp of her own free will, and there's an alternate reality where Thunkle Tech doesn't control all of the smart phones and internet services and Petey isn't rich. Wiki can sense this past, and it gives her headaches. She meets Dr. Burr's son, Kelvin, who can also sense this past, and the children have to work to figure out what in the timeline changed. They've been though something similar with Otto and Sheed Ellison, and there's just as much at stake with Petey's realities, and just as many time travel and scientific connections for the Ellisons to figure out. Will they be able to retrieve Petey before Anna's baby arrives?
Strengths: Readers who have wondered what happened with Wiki and Leen, who appear often in the Alston Brothers books, will be glad to see these sisters showcased. Wiki has a photographic memory, and the girls generally get along quite well, even though they irritate each other occasionally. The idea of a space camp is a good one, even though it is more of a cover for Petey's disappearance than anything else. Alternative realities are fun, and the present that the twins are stuck in is rife with ThunkleGram, ThunklePhones, TunkleTube, and even a Thupotle restaurant!
Weaknesses: Like any good time travel book, this story made my brain hurt a little bit. The cover looks a bit younger than I would like, but all covers are embracing this more cartoon style lately.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers Lee's Winston Chu and the Whimsies or Sedita's Pathfinders series.
This companion volume to The Legendary Alston Boys focuses on Wiki and Leen, who appear in that story as the Alston Brothers rivals. Leen is super excited to go to Cosmos Camp for the summer, and Wiki is thrilled that she will finally get some time alone, when she doesn't have to clean up after her twin or deal with her drama. Sadly, however, a heavily pregnant Anna, who is from Logan County and married to the very rich Petey Thunkle, gives Wiki a scholarship to the camp, and the twins' parents think it is great that both of them can spend a summer there. Anna has a task for the two-- Petey has gone missing, and she wants the twins to find him. The two settle into the camp, under the tutelage of Dr. Antoinette Burr and her two robot assistants, Sam and Ralph, for four weeks. They meet the other campers, and start to work on their prototypes for space shuttles while trying to investigate Petey's whereabouts. There are secrets that start to emerge; the Ellison family farm is in danger, Dr. Burr is not working for the camp of her own free will, and there's an alternate reality where Thunkle Tech doesn't control all of the smart phones and internet services and Petey isn't rich. Wiki can sense this past, and it gives her headaches. She meets Dr. Burr's son, Kelvin, who can also sense this past, and the children have to work to figure out what in the timeline changed. They've been though something similar with Otto and Sheed Ellison, and there's just as much at stake with Petey's realities, and just as many time travel and scientific connections for the Ellisons to figure out. Will they be able to retrieve Petey before Anna's baby arrives?
Strengths: Readers who have wondered what happened with Wiki and Leen, who appear often in the Alston Brothers books, will be glad to see these sisters showcased. Wiki has a photographic memory, and the girls generally get along quite well, even though they irritate each other occasionally. The idea of a space camp is a good one, even though it is more of a cover for Petey's disappearance than anything else. Alternative realities are fun, and the present that the twins are stuck in is rife with ThunkleGram, ThunklePhones, TunkleTube, and even a Thupotle restaurant!
Weaknesses: Like any good time travel book, this story made my brain hurt a little bit. The cover looks a bit younger than I would like, but all covers are embracing this more cartoon style lately.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers Lee's Winston Chu and the Whimsies or Sedita's Pathfinders series.
May 9, 2023
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Epic Ellisons: Cosmos Camp is an accessible and well done illustrated STE(A)M adventure by Lamar Giles. Released 9th May 2023 by Harper Collins on their Children's imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
Twin prodigies Wiki and Leen are actually looking forward to their first summer apart, with Leen heading off to summer camp and Wiki staying home to manage the farm stand, eradicate mutant moles, and eat gelato. The game's afoot, however, when *both* girls wind up at Camp Cosmos in the middle of a mystery disappearance and related sinister developments.
This is a rollicking well written and lightly illustrated science mystery adventure and will appeal to 8-12 year old avid readers (all ages, honestly, but written for the middle grade audience). There are lots of cool factoids scattered throughout, the protagonists are appealing and realistically rendered, and the action driven plot is well crafted.
The simple pencil illustrated chapter headers by Morgan Bissant are fun and full of motion and energy. They're sketched in and contain a surprising amount of small detail and relate well to their position in the book. They're inviting enough to encourage young readers to pick up a pencil and copy/try their own hand at illustrating their own stories.
For educators who know the importance of diversity and representation, the protagonists are young, female (yay!), science strong, and black (also yay!).
Five stars, this is a very well written book which is quite fun to read and featuring two smart twin sisters who cooperate as a team, and solve mysteries. The ending foreshadows more adventures, which readers and school acquisitions personnel can look forward to in future.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Epic Ellisons: Cosmos Camp is an accessible and well done illustrated STE(A)M adventure by Lamar Giles. Released 9th May 2023 by Harper Collins on their Children's imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
Twin prodigies Wiki and Leen are actually looking forward to their first summer apart, with Leen heading off to summer camp and Wiki staying home to manage the farm stand, eradicate mutant moles, and eat gelato. The game's afoot, however, when *both* girls wind up at Camp Cosmos in the middle of a mystery disappearance and related sinister developments.
This is a rollicking well written and lightly illustrated science mystery adventure and will appeal to 8-12 year old avid readers (all ages, honestly, but written for the middle grade audience). There are lots of cool factoids scattered throughout, the protagonists are appealing and realistically rendered, and the action driven plot is well crafted.
The simple pencil illustrated chapter headers by Morgan Bissant are fun and full of motion and energy. They're sketched in and contain a surprising amount of small detail and relate well to their position in the book. They're inviting enough to encourage young readers to pick up a pencil and copy/try their own hand at illustrating their own stories.
For educators who know the importance of diversity and representation, the protagonists are young, female (yay!), science strong, and black (also yay!).
Five stars, this is a very well written book which is quite fun to read and featuring two smart twin sisters who cooperate as a team, and solve mysteries. The ending foreshadows more adventures, which readers and school acquisitions personnel can look forward to in future.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
May 30, 2024
Leen (Evangeleen) and Wiki (Victoria) Ellison are the female twin rivals of the Legendary Alston Boys, first introduced in Giles' 2019 book The Last Last-Day-of-Summer. The girls have earned a reputation as the Epic Ellisons, with Leen specializing in robotics tinkering and Wiki having a photographic memory. This summer will be their first summer apart while Leen attends Cosmos Camp and mingles with STEM smart kids like herself. The night before camp, though, the Ellisons get a call from the tech company running the camp - Wiki has been invited to attend too! (without applying). Leen is not happy about this new development in her summer vacation plans. The girls soon learn that their epic skill set is needed outside Cosmos Camp on the Petey Tech campus because Petey Tech's founder, Petey Thunkle has gone missing. Not only that, there are suspicions that the launch of Petey Tech's new rocket, the Interstellar-Z, is being sabotaged. While the girls can work together to solve any mystery, can they get along long enough to solve two mysteries and the work of Cosmos Camp?
This is an engaging sci-fi tech mystery full of challenging questions of who these girls can trust and what are the real motives behind everything going on at Petey Tech. The girls are in middle school and talk briefly about potentially dating the Alston boys. There are two instances of things "sucking": on page 69 and 175. And one male character tells Leen she should smile more (page 38). There is also a direct message about women, especially Black women, being expected to do more and be happy about it - two mysteries and being a regular Cosmos camper is a lot to ask of these two girls.
This is an engaging sci-fi tech mystery full of challenging questions of who these girls can trust and what are the real motives behind everything going on at Petey Tech. The girls are in middle school and talk briefly about potentially dating the Alston boys. There are two instances of things "sucking": on page 69 and 175. And one male character tells Leen she should smile more (page 38). There is also a direct message about women, especially Black women, being expected to do more and be happy about it - two mysteries and being a regular Cosmos camper is a lot to ask of these two girls.
May 1, 2023
This is a fun, engaging and entertaining book about twins investigating and figuring why they are put together for supposedly a summertime away from being “twin” break. Many funny events and discoveries the twin found while spending summer camp together in the morning and unveiling clues and solving mysteries at night. My kids and I enjoyed this book and gave us a perfect opportunity to discuss and uncover while sharing our notes. A great middle-grade book with enough resources to cover for younger readers. They definitely love this middle-grade mystery-detective-ish book catering to young readers like them. Not baby-ish nor too grown up. Perfectly written.
January 15, 2024
Tween inventor Leen Ellison’s dream has come true: She’s been accepted to Petey Thunkle’s summer camp for STEM prodigies. And since her twin sister isn’t coming, both she and Wiki will finally have a chance to shine on their own. Except that’s not how it works out. Because Wiki has been accepted at Cosmos Camp too… even though she didn’t apply. And that’s just the first of many mysteries surrounding the camp. Who is trying to sabotage the Thunkles’ upcoming rocket launch? Why has Wiki’s perfect memory started malfunctioning? And what’s the deal with some of their instructors and fellow campers, anyway? If Wiki and Leen are going to save the day—and their friendship—they’ll need to put their heads together ASAP, because time has already started to run out.
Giles Lamar’s latest middle grade novel blends mystery and scifi genres for a quick read. Despite dealing with the twins’ interpersonal drama and touching on heavier real world topics such as the exploitation of Black girls’ and women’s time/energy/creativity, the book’s tone remains predominantly light and goofy. If the reader is not already familiar with Giles’ Legendary Alston Boys universe, the scifi aspects of this book will come as a surprise; whether or not it is a welcome one will depend on the reader in question.
[Note: Wiki, Leen, and their parents are all Black, as is Antoinette Burr. Among the campers, Kelvin reads as Black, while Sierra reads as Latinx. Petey and Anna Thunkle read as white, as do several of the campers.]
Recommended for ages 7-10. Thanks to HarperCollins for the copy via the Southeast Ohio Young Adult Media Group.
Giles Lamar’s latest middle grade novel blends mystery and scifi genres for a quick read. Despite dealing with the twins’ interpersonal drama and touching on heavier real world topics such as the exploitation of Black girls’ and women’s time/energy/creativity, the book’s tone remains predominantly light and goofy. If the reader is not already familiar with Giles’ Legendary Alston Boys universe, the scifi aspects of this book will come as a surprise; whether or not it is a welcome one will depend on the reader in question.
[Note: Wiki, Leen, and their parents are all Black, as is Antoinette Burr. Among the campers, Kelvin reads as Black, while Sierra reads as Latinx. Petey and Anna Thunkle read as white, as do several of the campers.]
Recommended for ages 7-10. Thanks to HarperCollins for the copy via the Southeast Ohio Young Adult Media Group.
August 19, 2023
Cute STEM time traveling novel about the twins Leen & Wiki and their adventures at Cosmos Camp that almost turns out to be a whole new life due to the evil machinations of Petty-Grew and the overly ambitious greed of Petey Thunkle. I loved the relationship between the girls and their twin power which took center stage later in the novel.
May 26, 2023
I really enjoyed The Legendary Alston Boys trilogy, so I was glad to see another book with those characters. I hope this is the beginning of at least another trilogy. It's not billed as such, but there definitely needs to be more.
Want to read
July 26, 2023This is simply adorable, and I was so excited while reading this anything in the Shaun room that is aimed toward little black boys and girls I’m going to read it and I was not disappointed. Please give us more of that.
September 5, 2023
I liked this sci-fi mystery even more than the series it spun off from, The Legendary Alston Boys Adventure. It has a spy quality that could appeal to the Spy School or City Spies fans, but it also asks several ethical technological questions while remaining a lot of fun.
May 23, 2023
It was a good read.
November 11, 2023
This was a super fun book that my son and I listened to. This is our first book by this author and we really enjoyed the story!
June 17, 2023
Really loved following along on the adventures of the Legendary Alston boys and was so happy when Giles announced that he would continue in the series with the Epic Ellisons. I love everything space so that was just a cherry on top of the Epic Ellisons' story. There was great connection to the other books, and it stood alone well on its own. This was a great adventure, and the writing was great!
July 27, 2025
Mind- boggling sci-fi time travel adventure--twins use their skills to solve a mystery with a ubiquitous inventor--or is he? What's happening to people's memories of older tech--and why is everything named after him? Quick moving and inventive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2024
Victoria and Evangeleen Ellison—nicknamed Wiki and Leen respectively—are twelve-year-olds twins living on an income producing farm in Logan County, Virginia. Leen was born laughing and that made Wiki cry seven minutes after her own entrance into the world. They look alike but they're miles apart personality, interest, and skills wise. Both are geniuses with complementary strengths. The girls are famous for helping the legendary Alston boys defeat some mutant moles in this author's series by the same name. They've never been apart and now look forward to separate lives as Leen is off to Cosmos Camp to learn all about space exploration and Wiki looks forward to helping out on the farm and a quiet, uneventful respite. So much for that idea ...
Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on who's speaking, Wiki wins a scholarship to attend Cosmos Camp. Their parents are thrilled for their newly found opportunity for alone time, and Wiki is forced to attend camp against her will. Upon arrival, the campers are greeted by Dr. Burr, " ... to welcome you, the greatest young scientific minds from across the country, to the fifth annual PeteyTech Cosmos Camp, where you'll learn all about the various roles and research required for space exploration." Dr. Burr is assisted by two robots as the campers donned their VR goggles (virtual reality) to hear a prerecorded message from the owners of the camp. Petey and Anna Thunkle. The girls receive a different message from the other campers. Anna Thunkle tells them that her husband is mysteriously missing and entrusts the twins with the task of secretly finding him without letting anyone know that he's missing. Lots of AI (Artificial Intelligence) stuff going on here. You'll never look at a vacuum cleaner in the same way again!
Needless to say, the girls accomplish their task and even manage to save the world from the clutches of evil. Will the girls return to the security of their life on the farm or ... ?
I did not enjoy reading this book. It's not real science fiction but more like fantasy. Yes, all the requisite stuff is in it but there's no real understanding or explanation of laws of the universe. A thrill a minute filled with hyperbole, cliché and the unbelievable. Not fun for me as an adult and I know that I would not have liked this book as a kid. Fast and furious, filled with everything, including the kitchen sink. Too cutesy for my taste.
Please let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear from you. You can email me at elainewrites@earthlink.net
I wish you all a life inspired by the wonder of the world around us. May you find and live your truth, in harmony with people, nature and the environment. May you be a force for good and a source of love and comfort. May the world be a better place for you having lived and loved here.
All rights reserved 2024
Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on who's speaking, Wiki wins a scholarship to attend Cosmos Camp. Their parents are thrilled for their newly found opportunity for alone time, and Wiki is forced to attend camp against her will. Upon arrival, the campers are greeted by Dr. Burr, " ... to welcome you, the greatest young scientific minds from across the country, to the fifth annual PeteyTech Cosmos Camp, where you'll learn all about the various roles and research required for space exploration." Dr. Burr is assisted by two robots as the campers donned their VR goggles (virtual reality) to hear a prerecorded message from the owners of the camp. Petey and Anna Thunkle. The girls receive a different message from the other campers. Anna Thunkle tells them that her husband is mysteriously missing and entrusts the twins with the task of secretly finding him without letting anyone know that he's missing. Lots of AI (Artificial Intelligence) stuff going on here. You'll never look at a vacuum cleaner in the same way again!
Needless to say, the girls accomplish their task and even manage to save the world from the clutches of evil. Will the girls return to the security of their life on the farm or ... ?
I did not enjoy reading this book. It's not real science fiction but more like fantasy. Yes, all the requisite stuff is in it but there's no real understanding or explanation of laws of the universe. A thrill a minute filled with hyperbole, cliché and the unbelievable. Not fun for me as an adult and I know that I would not have liked this book as a kid. Fast and furious, filled with everything, including the kitchen sink. Too cutesy for my taste.
Please let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear from you. You can email me at elainewrites@earthlink.net
I wish you all a life inspired by the wonder of the world around us. May you find and live your truth, in harmony with people, nature and the environment. May you be a force for good and a source of love and comfort. May the world be a better place for you having lived and loved here.
All rights reserved 2024
May 31, 2023
Super excited to have a Wiki and Leen story! Though they are twins, I liked how they each want to be individuals and explore their hobbies and interests from the beginning. I enjoyed seeing the girls use their skills at Cosmos Camp and having it tied to Petey Thunkle made it that much more interesting. This book did an amazing job highlighting STEM for middle grades; making it fun and entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews