TERRGVATF FPNIRATRE! *

Legendary literary game-maker Garrison Griswold is back in action?this time with “Unlock the Rock.” For his latest game, Griswold has partnered with the famous–and famously reclusive–mystery writer Errol Roy to plan an epic escape room challenge on Alcatraz Island.

Emily and James are eager to participate, but the wave of fame they are riding from their recent book-hunting adventures makes them a target. Threatening notes, missing items, and an accident that might not have been an accident have the duo worried that someone is trying to get them out of the game at any cost.

When Emily’s brother is caught red-handed and blamed for all the wrongdoings, Emily is certain Matthew is being framed. With Matthew’s record on the line, Emily and James can’t afford to leave this mystery uncracked.

Let me start by saying that an Escape Room-style challenge on Alcatraz Island is genius! Why hasn’t someone done this before?! (There actually is an Alcatraz-themed escape room in San Francisco. Click on the link below if you want to find out more)

This book inspired me to take a day trip to Alcatraz, so I would be able to understand the story better. My dad and I should have planned a trip where we got to the island in the morning and stayed there for several hours instead of spending only three hours there before running to get to the airport to fly home. I guess it just gives me an excuse to go back again.

In the short time I spent on the island, I took the Cellhouse Audio Tour. The audio tour guides are the actual Correctional Officers, inmates, and residents who lived on Alcatraz when it was a federal penitentiary. While we were on tour, my dad made me go into one of the solitary confinement cells so he could take a picture of me. I didn’t want to, so I just stood outside the cell and grinned and bared it. I agree with Emily. It’s creepy in there. I’m glad I took the tour because it gave me all the information I needed to picture what was going on in this book since the game mainly takes place in the Cellhouse building.

If you’re interested in taking a trip to Alcatraz, click on the link below to find out how:

This is definitely the best Book Scavenger book yet! I can’t say much else without giving too much away. Since my niece, Julianne, is really into geocaching and reading, I’m hoping she and I could participate in a Book Scavengers adventure together. I tried getting her to read the first book, but I don’t know if she ever did. I’m hoping now she’ll be more interested. Check out the Book Scavenger website below if you are interested in joining the fun.

UBCVAT SBE N SBHEGU OBBX! *

This week’s Weird but True Fact about San Francisco

Actual prison breaks inspired the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in California, U.S.A., where competitors leap off a boat and swim across San Francisco Bay. **

(*To crack the codes, see page 26)

(**Bonus fact: My uncle Chris participated in that race. And he’s still alive.)