The Secret Box by Whitaker Ringwald (review)

Inquisitive twelve-year-old Jax gets a mysterious birthday package in the mail from a previously unknown relative, and inside is a closed metal box that Jax will only get ten tries to open. After Jax wastes several attempts, she and her cousins Ethan and Tyler make their way to Washington, D.C., where they have calculated the box will be able to be opened. Meanwhile, it becomes clear that others are also looking for the box, and that whatever is inside the box has a powerful connection to the mythological Pandora and her daughter, Pyrrha. The kids race to open the box before the evil Mr. and Mrs. Camel get their hands on it, learning to work together and overcome personal obstacles to succeed. Impulsive Jax and cautious, crowd-phobic Ethan alternate narration, with a change in font helpfully signaling the change in perspective. Aside from Jax and Ethan, however, the characters are fairly one-note, and the foray into Greek mythology, while engrossing, is abrupt. The intriguing mystery and quick pacing may keep kids reading despite any shortcomings, though. A happy ending is in store, but the door is left open for further exploits in this proposed trilogy, so readers who like Dan Gutman’s The Genius Files series may enjoy the first installment of these cousin capers as well.