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Legend of the Star Runner: A Solve-Them-Yourself Mysteries Adventure (Timmi Tobbson Chapter Book for Kids 8-12) (Solve-Them-Yourself Mysteries for Kids 8-12) by [J. I. Wagner, Cindy Foehlich, Bradley Hall, Tracy Phua]

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J. I. Wagner

Legend of the Star Runner: A Solve-Them-Yourself Mysteries Adventure (Timmi Tobbson Chapter Book for Kids 8-12) (Solve-Them-Yourself Mysteries for Kids 8-12) Kindle Edition

by J. I. Wagner (Author), Cindy Foehlich (Illustrator), Bradley Hall (Editor), Format: Kindle Edition

4,039 ratings

Part of: Solve-Them-Yourself Mysteries for Kids 8-12 (2 books)

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☑️ Ages 8-12 ☑️ Chapter Book ☑️ Short Attention Spans ▶️ Video Trailer Below"With the exuberance of a caper, determined protagonists, and a message steeped in family legacy, this is a splendid homage to adventure." - FOREWORD MAGAZINE - 5 out of 5Unravel 'solve-them-yourself picture mysteries' and uncover the Legend of the Star Runner!Following the clues concealed within a centuries-old family legacy, Timmi Tobbson and his friends hope to save a dear friend. But only twenty-four hours remain to unravel the legend of a long-lost pirate ship, buried somewhere deep beneath the city streets. Unbeknownst to them, their search awakens a mystical dark power, sworn to protect what is hidden on board the once famous Star Runner.Mysteries to SolveThe adventure is divided into 31 concise chapters, each of which ends with a puzzle to be solved by finding and interpreting visual clues concealed within a beautiful color illustration. Suited for explorers and sleuths young and old. Children under 8 years may need assistance in solving some of the puzzles. Grade level: 3rd and up.Beautiful Color IllustrationsLegend of the Star Runner gives readers the best of both worlds, merging the visual appeal of a graphic novel with text-based storytelling's power to spark imagination.Fun FactsThe illustrations of most Timmi Tobbson characters were inspired by actors and/or their fictional characters from well-known movies. Marvin was inspired by Gaten Matarazzo's performance as Dustin in Stranger Things. Sir London was inspired by Christopher Lloyd's interpretation of Dr. Emmet Brown in Back to the Future. Lotterlulu was inspired by Johnny Depp's character Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean as well as Dustin Hoffman's performance in Hook. The Guardian was inspired by the looks of American actor, director and producer Danny DeVito. Lilli's Grandpa was inspired by Sir Sean Connery's portrayal of the father of Indiana Jones in The Last Crusade.Psst: This book contains a puzzle which is unrelated to the story and involves all thirty-one main illustrations.Shelve under: mystery books for kids 9-12 mystery books for kids 8-10 adventure books for boys adventure books for girls chapter books for kids age 9-12 chapter books for kids age 8-10 graphic novels kids books for intermediate readers books for reluctant readers solve riddles, solve puzzles, solve mysteries crack the case like a sleuth choose your own adventure books for kids 9-12 choose your own adventure books for kids 8-10Especially for fans of: Adventures of the Black Hand Gang Gravity Falls Get a Clue Captain Underpants A to Z Mysteries Dog Man Boxcar Children Encyclopedia Brown Hardy Boys Ballpark Mysteries Seek and Find / Hidden Pictures Video Games Featuring Exploration Video Games Featuring Puzzle Solving Point and Click Adventure Games

Reading age

7 - 9 years, from customers
Print length

186 pages
Language

English
Grade level

3 - 7
Publication date

May 22, 2018
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From the Publisher

Solve it yourself mystery graphic novel chapter book for kids 8-12 boys girls adventure

For explorers and sleuths young and old

Unravel mysteries by finding visual clues concealed within beautiful illustrations. Uncover the 'Legend of the Star Runner'.

Kids book puzzle riddle mystery graphic novel chapter book for children 8-12 boys girls adventure

Where was the ancient key hidden?

A mysterious riddle describes a secret hiding place in Granpa's attic.

(This is a sample from the book. All pictures are cropped. Solving the puzzle requires reading the story.)

Who had been observing the hotel?

Marvin noticed someone must have been observing the hotel for at least one hour. Who did he mean and why?

(This is a sample from the book. All pictures are cropped. Solving the puzzle requires reading the story.)

Which pushbutton opens the secret door?

Pressing the wrong button triggers a trap.

(This is a sample from the book. All pictures are cropped. Solving the puzzle requires reading the story.)

How could she tell it was a forgery?

Comparing the photos taken of an old oil painting, Lilli noticed something strange.

(This is a sample from the book. All pictures are cropped. Solving the puzzle requires reading the story.)

Choose your own adventure graphic novel chapter book for kids 8-12 boys girls

Find the homepage of Timmi Tobbson and get the 'Easter-Egg-Companion', 'The Lost Chapter' as well as the 'Numbers Cheatbook' as PDF-Files to download.

Review

Foreword Reviews Magazine (scored 5 out of 5)

"A splendid homage to adventure"
"A visual feast"
"Large-hearted"

A spirited trio of kid sleuths undertake a classic treasure hunt in J. I. Wagner's Legend of the Star Runner. Taking its inspiration from video games and cloak-and-dagger mysteries, this story for middle-grade readers is a visual feast.

Lilli's grandfather is facing eviction. With the prospect of a pirate's treasure guiding them, she and her best friends, Marvin andTimmi, set out to find the loot to rescue him from his debts. A large-hearted, naïve, and wildly improbable plot delights as the fearless team - led by a treasurehunter - lands in a series of underground worlds.

Several twists and turns hinge on pure luck, timing, and uncanny perceptions. A reliance on video-game staples, including hidden passageways, trapdoors, puzzles, maps, and multiple-choice paths, sometimes threatens to turn the book into a high-concept maze. Still, what the story misses in the depth of its background, the illustrations make up for; they are smart compositions using chromatic palettes and feature clues. From a cluttered kitchen to the check-in desk at the Savoy to a wall of keys at an archive, scenes set a distinct mood for the story.

The tone is wisely calibrated; it's neither overly terrifying nor overly lighthearted. The perils the group encounter pose enough danger to build suspense yet leave room for escape. There's seldom doubt that the kids will prevail, considering their Holmesian knack for observation; the book's pleasure rests in their citywide ranging that peels back history to reveal the secrets of a legendary pirate embedded in their midst.

A list of fun facts lists the book's film influences, which include Pirates of the Caribbean, and a section of hints offers insights written in reverse. With the exuberance of a caper, determined protagonists, and a message steeped in family legacy, this first in a planned series is a splendid homage to adventure.

Reviewed by Karen Rigby

May/June 2018

Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The author of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the author for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

From the Author

A lot of love and attention to detail went into creating Legend. Did you
spot an email address in one of the illustrations? Try sending a message
and see what happens... but there is more to it than pure entertainment.

A Story for the Heart - A Challenge to the Mind

This is a story about friendship first and foremost. A story for the heart.
And about the drive to explore, to inquire and to second-guess. All three
main characters require perseverance and courage to succeed, and
derive the necessary strength from their friendship.

Gets Kids' Eyes Off Screens

This book is designed to also engage today's young video gamers and
water their taste for books. One of the main reasons for the appeal of
video games is a frequent feeling of accomplishment. This book is
designed to achieve the same. The 31 concise chapters, each ending with
a puzzle to be solved, provide an equally rewarding experience. The
high-quality visuals are another reason video gaming kids will feel right
at home.

Will Girls Like the Book Too?

My wife and I are proud parents of our super-cute (no bias here)
daughter Emmelie. It was important to me to create a character with
Lilli, who is ready to take the lead and make things happen. Who doesn't
care about what society expects but about fulfilling her own dreams and
ambitions.

So yes, I created this story with girls in mind. Hopefully, my daughter
(and you too) will love it the way I do.

Have fun! From the Inside FlapEdit

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07D1R18VQ
Publisher ‏ : ‎ freshabooks; 2nd edition (May 22, 2018)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 22, 2018
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 17301 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 186 pages
Lending ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #271,403 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #280 in Children's Mystery & Detective Adventure
- #2,924 in Children's Mystery, Detective, & Spy
- #10,105 in Children's Action & Adventure Books (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4,039 ratings

About the author

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J. I. Wagner

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J. I. Wagner lives with his beloved wife, their new-born super-cute daughter, two impressively big orange cats and one equally impressive mortgage right at the edge of a forest near Frankfurt, Germany.

He holds a Masters degree from Oxford University where he loved being part of the Christ Church College community.

Customer reviews

5 star		79%
4 star		13%
3 star		6%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Use of the word "crap" and Jesus' name taken in vain

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2019

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Clever way to write a book, my 7 and 9yo kids loved trying to solve all the puzzles. Would have given 4 stars if the author had avoided using Jesus' name in vain and the exclamation "crap!" and "double crap". Why did the author need to spoil an otherwise great book with a couple of instances of poor language? These could have easily been avoided. Won't buy any sequels to this unless I am certain they are clean.

913 people found this helpful

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Howard B. Cichoski

Engaging story, fun puzzles, a few caveats

Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2019

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This book was purchased by my parents for me to read to my son as a 7th birthday present. The story was good, although there were some unanswered questions left for a potential sequel. The picture puzzles were fun for my son, and he solved most of them with ease (there were a few that were surprisingly difficult, though). The only negatives I would have are as follows:
1. Some of the illustrations are so dark, it was hard to see possible clues.
2. There’s an extremely random moment when an adult character shouts “Jesus!” in anger. There isn’t any other adult language in the book (at least not that I can remember), and this totally comes out of left field. Regardless of anyone’s religious beliefs, this is a REALLY strong word for a children’s book, and admittedly, it had me on edge for the rest of the story, worried that there might be another instance of language that I might not catch in time and inadvertently say to my 7 year old. Thankfully, there wasn’t, but geez. Tip: next time, don’t put random language in a kid’s book.

316 people found this helpful

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KHawk

Bad language

Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2019

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Unnecessary bad language and poor attitudes by characters.

102 people found this helpful

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Nicolas David

like a mix between Indiana Jones and The Goonies

Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2018

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My son devoured this book. The story is captivating, like a mix between Indiana Jones and The Goonies, and the puzzles are great fun. I was planning to let him read one chapter a day (it is a chapter book) but he ended up reading several. He is not a big reader but the mix between two-three pages of story followed by a picture mystery did the trick.

Now I also bought this book for my nephew, who is in 6th grade and has dyslexia / dysgraphia. This is the first book he begs to read another chapter of.

The puzzles are unlike those of any other book. Your kid becomes a detective and needs to combine the information given in the story with what can be inferred from the chapter’s illustration. In the back of the book you can find hints, offering some help if you get stuck. To sum it up:

- Engaging story about helping Lilli’s grandpa (a treasure hunt NOT motivated by greed)
- Very different main characters to identify with (e.g. ranging from very sensitive to very outgoing)
- Short chapters (three pages) making it accessible to kids lacking reading experience
- A full page color illustration at the end of each chapter
- A puzzle to solve at the end of each chapter (e.g. How could we tell a painting had been stolen?)
- Hints at the end of the book (can be read by looking at the writing in a mirror)
- Bonus: Hidden numbers in each illustration work as a passcode to enter a secret area on the website of the book

94 people found this helpful

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BinaryOrc

A Really Good Adventure Book

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2018

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I love this book. My kids love this book. It is an adventure story that requires using some creative puzzle solving to figure out the puzzles presented to the reader. Excellent variety of puzzles that require a bit of lateral thinking. The characters are great, and overall the story is just wonderful. I truly hope there will be more like this to come!

49 people found this helpful

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Sean B. Schoonmaker

Kept My 6-YO Engaged and Inquisitive

Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2018

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This book follows the escapades and investigations of Timmi, Marvin, & Lilli as they search for the Star Runner and its hidden treasures. The format is much like many children's chapter books - but each chapter of story is followed by a full-page illustration that is the puzzle-solving part of the book. The clues in the text cue what you should be looking for in the illustration to solve the puzzle for that chapter.
Honestly, I thought this might be a bit much for my 6-YO, but he was very engaged and very good at picking out hidden clues in the illustrations. Only on some of the harder ones did I need to provide some additional clues for him. And only on the hardest puzzles did I need to refer to the clues at the end of the book (designed to be read in a mirror).
We both ended up having great fun with this, and can't wait till the next installment. If I have one reservation, it's that the re-reading potential is lower due to having solved the puzzles already.

34 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

A great book to quickly improve on child's comprehension

Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2019

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Our daughter needed some added attention to her comprehension for school (grade 2). The workbook that we obtained for 2nd grade and similar materials were actually far too easy. We got this book as a way to help in a fun way. She just loved it! and as a result propelled forward in class more than we even expected. I wish there were more in this series. I wish there was another book like this that I could buy for her. It was easy, super fun and quick (you need not process the whole book at once as it has convenient chapters which are not very long and age appropriate). Highly recommend.

29 people found this helpful

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Kaylee Mendoza

Good book, different than I was expecting

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2019

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I was expecting a book where you read the chapter, then you choose an outcome and it directs you to another section of the book based on that decision. This is not one of those books. I think it is classified as "solve-them-yourself" books, due to it having follow up questions following each chapter to get children to really think about what they've just read and inspire deeper reading. Still a good book, but I was hoping for something else.

26 people found this helpful

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Mr. Kieran D. John

Brilliant adventure to read together

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2020

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My daughter (7) and I read this together, with her reading mostly dialogue and me everything else. We absolutely loved it. We've recently been watching (Lockdown viewing) plenty of 80s adventure classics like the Goonies and this was a perfect fit to go along with them.

Chapters were a great length for post bed reading, and I was often persuaded to read 'just one more'! The puzzles were rarely too difficult for her, though often I did have to give her a few pointers. The clues at the back, written upside down and mirrored, were also great fun to check - she loved using her little pocket mirror to check them even if she knew the answer!

A great read and we'd undoubtedly love a sequel, or a whole new story in this style.

6 people found this helpful

maria matthews

A teasing treasure hunt guaranteed to please any child

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 16, 2018

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I would recommend Legend of the Star Runner to any parent with a child who thinks of books as being boring as this one provides a challenge at every step of the way. I bought this book to read on my kindle as the notion of going on a fictional treasure hunt by reading a story intriguing, and my curiosity as a writer led me to buy it. I found the story an easy read. I liked the mix of characters. Found Lilli to be easy to picture and Marvin and Timmi were a great combination. The three kids took upon themselves to help Lilli's grandfather avoid eviction by finding buried or hidden treasure - a pirate ship named The Star Runner. The elusive guardians of the mystery were just a nasty enough threat to add that touch of danger to the story. The book is a clever mix of interactive tools with a puzzle being revealed at the end of every chapter and the answer given at the start of the next chapter. I found myself scrutinising the detailed illustrations to find the answer to the puzzle. If it interests me an older child, I could see a lot of children losing themselves in this neat story.

3 people found this helpful

Daniel C.

My 8 year old loves this book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 4, 2021

Verified Purchase

This book has a great adventure story, and kept my son engaged with the interactive puzzle/challenge at the end of each chapter. There are also other ongoing puzzles to figure out, which lead onto the next chapter of the book. The illustrations are also fantastic, and we have now purchased the next book in the saga.

The author has also reached out. There is a tricky code to unlock, in which you type into a website. We received email communication from Jens, who has now sent on a signed personal message sticker to insert into my son's book.

A lovely touch, which just shows how much these books mean to the author!

Thanks 👍

2 people found this helpful

Enca

Fantastic adventure full of riddles!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2020

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My 7 year old enjoyed this book a lot. Chapters are short and it has lots of illustrations in which readers have to find the answer to a question in order to move on. There are clues at then en did the book which have to be read using a mirror. My son lived this. Also, independently from the main story, there is an extra riddle that can get your little one a sweet prize. The story is engaging and easy to follow for the younger ones. Highly recomendable!

2 people found this helpful

STAba

This is my favourite adventure book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 11, 2021

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We have read the book with my dad and my sister. It was great fun to look for the answers. We have also solved the big challenge which was on the front cover. The most difficult puzzle was the tiles on the marketplace, but my favourite was where the cannon was pointing at Sir London and the fuse was lit, but there was no cannon ball. We were reading one chapter every morning before school, it was great fun to start the day.
Now we are reading the Legacy of the Inventor. So far it is a great book.

One person found this helpful

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Legend of the Star Runner: A Solve-Them-Yourself Mysteries Adventure (Timmi Tobbson Chapter Book for Kids 8-12) (Solve-Them-Yourself Mysteries for Kids 8-12) Kindle Edition

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From the Publisher

For explorers and sleuths young and old

Where was the ancient key hidden?

Who had been observing the hotel?

Which pushbutton opens the secret door?

How could she tell it was a forgery?

Editorial Reviews

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About the Author

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About the author

J. I. Wagner

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