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Dog Head Code
Out of Print.
- GenresYoung Adult
83 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2010
12 people want to read
About the author
Maggi Andersen
88 books327 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author of Regency romance, and winner of the RONE award, Maggi Andersen wrote her first book for publication after gaining a BA in English and an MA in Creative Writing. She lives on a farm in the beautiful Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia. She wrote her first adventure story at 8 years old. Her novels are mostly adventure stories, but also sensual romances. Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen inspired her Regencies and Victoria Holt, her Gothic Victorian mysteries She also writes contemporary romantic suspense and young adult novels.
Maggi supports the RSPCA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals) and animals often feature in her books.
Maggi supports the RSPCA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals) and animals often feature in her books.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 3, 2012
Originally posted at: http://aurorareviews.blogspot.com/201...
Something more sinister than snakes is lurking on Dog Head Island.
When Joe inherits an old book from his great uncle, he has no idea that the adventure of a lifetime is waiting just around the corner. With the help of his mother, his friend Annie, and his teacher, Mr. Grant, Joe slowly begins to unravel the secrets of Dog Head Island. Will they uncover an ancient treasure or something else entirely?
Ms. Andersen put together a very interesting mystery. The code in the book was intriguing, and I liked the fact that Joe and Mr. Grant spent months trying to crack the code rather than somehow figuring it out instantly. Mr. Grant and Joe are smart, but they aren’t experts by any stretch of the word, so their slow but determined process was very believable. Once Joe and his friends arrive at Dog Head Island, the atmosphere definitely becomes creepy. The island is uninhabited, overgrown, and teaming with snakes. The remoteness of the island coupled with the strange things Joe sees and hears really add to the suspense of the story.
Joe is an easy character to like. He's a very mature and caring young man. He's thrilled at the prospect of cracking the code in the old book, but even more excited about the prospect of finding treasure. What is most touching about Joe’s desire to find a fortune is his concern for his mother. Joe and his mother have been on their own since his father died, and while they are doing okay, Joe wishes he could do more to help. Joe’s protective streak also comes out when he’s around Annie, a beautiful but lonely girl who is somewhat of an outcast at school. Joe’s friendship with Annie is sweet and definitely has the potential to develop into something romantic. Given their young age, I think their relationship moves at just the right speed. I can definitely see them as a couple when they are a little older.
While Joe demonstrates maturity beyond his fourteen years, he also has moments that prove he's still a young teenager. In his determination to discover the secrets on Dog Head Island, Joe throws caution to the wind and gets himself into a couple of scrapes that nearly cost him his life. I eagerly flipped through the pages wondering how someone so young could possibly get out of such a precarious situation. However, Joe proved to be a very brave young man with all the makings of a hero.
I do wish Joe would have spent more time on Dog Head Island. It takes months for Joe, his mother, Mr. Grant, and Annie to get to the island. Once there, everything happens so quickly that it seemed like the tale was over just as I was sinking my teeth into the meat of the mystery. I think there's so much more to explore concerning the code in the book and the secrets of Dog Head Island. I really wasn’t ready for the story to end.
I’m glad I had the opportunity to read Dog Head Code. It's a quick and fun book that can be enjoyed by anyone who loves a good suspense. Do Joe and his friends find riches on Dog Head Island? There’s only one way to find out. Pick up a copy of Dog Head Code.
Something more sinister than snakes is lurking on Dog Head Island.
When Joe inherits an old book from his great uncle, he has no idea that the adventure of a lifetime is waiting just around the corner. With the help of his mother, his friend Annie, and his teacher, Mr. Grant, Joe slowly begins to unravel the secrets of Dog Head Island. Will they uncover an ancient treasure or something else entirely?
Ms. Andersen put together a very interesting mystery. The code in the book was intriguing, and I liked the fact that Joe and Mr. Grant spent months trying to crack the code rather than somehow figuring it out instantly. Mr. Grant and Joe are smart, but they aren’t experts by any stretch of the word, so their slow but determined process was very believable. Once Joe and his friends arrive at Dog Head Island, the atmosphere definitely becomes creepy. The island is uninhabited, overgrown, and teaming with snakes. The remoteness of the island coupled with the strange things Joe sees and hears really add to the suspense of the story.
Joe is an easy character to like. He's a very mature and caring young man. He's thrilled at the prospect of cracking the code in the old book, but even more excited about the prospect of finding treasure. What is most touching about Joe’s desire to find a fortune is his concern for his mother. Joe and his mother have been on their own since his father died, and while they are doing okay, Joe wishes he could do more to help. Joe’s protective streak also comes out when he’s around Annie, a beautiful but lonely girl who is somewhat of an outcast at school. Joe’s friendship with Annie is sweet and definitely has the potential to develop into something romantic. Given their young age, I think their relationship moves at just the right speed. I can definitely see them as a couple when they are a little older.
While Joe demonstrates maturity beyond his fourteen years, he also has moments that prove he's still a young teenager. In his determination to discover the secrets on Dog Head Island, Joe throws caution to the wind and gets himself into a couple of scrapes that nearly cost him his life. I eagerly flipped through the pages wondering how someone so young could possibly get out of such a precarious situation. However, Joe proved to be a very brave young man with all the makings of a hero.
I do wish Joe would have spent more time on Dog Head Island. It takes months for Joe, his mother, Mr. Grant, and Annie to get to the island. Once there, everything happens so quickly that it seemed like the tale was over just as I was sinking my teeth into the meat of the mystery. I think there's so much more to explore concerning the code in the book and the secrets of Dog Head Island. I really wasn’t ready for the story to end.
I’m glad I had the opportunity to read Dog Head Code. It's a quick and fun book that can be enjoyed by anyone who loves a good suspense. Do Joe and his friends find riches on Dog Head Island? There’s only one way to find out. Pick up a copy of Dog Head Code.
June 15, 2022
I absolutely loved this book by Ms. Andersen! The storyline was intriguing and grabbed my attention immediately. I especially enjoyed the idea of the old book containing a map and a special unbroken code that Joe recently inherited from his late Great Uncle Jake. I found my heart pounding in my chest while Joe, his mom, Mr. Grant (Joe’s teacher) and Joe’s friend, Annie, were all inspecting the old and broken down mansion on Dog Head Island where Great Uncle Jake lived. The author planted plenty of twists and turns throughout the story to keep her readers engrossed and hanging onto her every word. Even though this story is labeled a Young Adult, I assure you that any reader of any age will walk away feeling that they’ve been on an exciting adventure alongside the characters. I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages who are looking for a fun reading adventure and I eagerly look forward to seeing what other stories this author already has available to read.
Joe Jones inherits a special book from his Great Uncle Jake containing a code and a map for Dog Head Island. Eagerly wanting to break the code and follow the map to possibly find some hidden treasures, he is joined by his mom, teacher and school friend. They all set out to explore the rundown mansion nestled on Dog Head Island, but while there, things start happening that are totally unexplainable to them. Can they get to the bottom of the unexplainable happenings? Are they all able to make it out of this old mansion alive? Does Joe ever crack the code in the book?
NIGHT OWL TEEN
DIANA COYLE
Joe Jones inherits a special book from his Great Uncle Jake containing a code and a map for Dog Head Island. Eagerly wanting to break the code and follow the map to possibly find some hidden treasures, he is joined by his mom, teacher and school friend. They all set out to explore the rundown mansion nestled on Dog Head Island, but while there, things start happening that are totally unexplainable to them. Can they get to the bottom of the unexplainable happenings? Are they all able to make it out of this old mansion alive? Does Joe ever crack the code in the book?
NIGHT OWL TEEN
DIANA COYLE
June 5, 2011
Maggi Andersen’s Dog Head Code is a fun mystery suitable for all ages.
When Joe inherits an old book from his Great Uncle Jake, it lures him into a mystery involving a code, a marked map, and an ancient Aztec god. With his mom, teacher, and friend at his side, they travel to Dog Head Island. While the island slowly gives up its secrets, they have to find a way to survive.
Dog Head Code spans several months while we delve into the enigma surrounding the book’s code and map. Andersen does an excellent job letting us know about the characters through the span of the book. Sometimes the voice isn’t quite as teenage boy as I would’ve liked, but it does remind me of reading Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy novels as a child. The revelation in Dog Head Code brings back fond memories of Scooby Doo Mysteries. I particularly love the Aztec elements within as well. Andersen shows she did her research.
Overall, I would recommend Dog Head Code. It’s a fun, touching story with a great mystery element to it.
When Joe inherits an old book from his Great Uncle Jake, it lures him into a mystery involving a code, a marked map, and an ancient Aztec god. With his mom, teacher, and friend at his side, they travel to Dog Head Island. While the island slowly gives up its secrets, they have to find a way to survive.
Dog Head Code spans several months while we delve into the enigma surrounding the book’s code and map. Andersen does an excellent job letting us know about the characters through the span of the book. Sometimes the voice isn’t quite as teenage boy as I would’ve liked, but it does remind me of reading Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy novels as a child. The revelation in Dog Head Code brings back fond memories of Scooby Doo Mysteries. I particularly love the Aztec elements within as well. Andersen shows she did her research.
Overall, I would recommend Dog Head Code. It’s a fun, touching story with a great mystery element to it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews