Review: Kids Gone Wild!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 30, 2014
Traikovich’s novel is set in an elementary school that used to be an asylum… and right from the beginning, there’s a terrific conceptual parallel – elementary school kids are absolutely crazy!  Crypto-Punk gets off to a rip roaring start when a the behest of their science teacher, the kids build box-derby cars and line up for a race. Our heroes, however, have added a box of misbegotten fireworks to turbocharge their “groove jet” and all hell breaks loose after that.  It’s a terrific opening sequence, introducing us to the chaos that is Bixby Elementary, and the different kids who will be important to the plot.The plot itself twists and turns, and I had no idea the novel was going to go where it did!  What on earth IS going on under the school? Why are kids disappearing?  What has this all got to do with science and the past?  It’s a funny, twisty, imaginative novel,  and I know it’s aimed at 10 year olds and up, but it read as if really for a slightly older age group.  I think that was my main question with this book– exactly who is the intended audience?  It’s written about 10 year olds, but it doesn’t quite feel like it’s for 10 year olds – perhaps young teens?  Regardless, it’s thoroughly entertaining, and definitely leaves room for a sequel…