Sue at 13:30, 3 April 2018

2018-04-03T13:30:04Z

Sue at 14:41, 2 February 2015

2015-02-02T14:41:09Z

Sue at 15:22, 8 September 2012

2012-09-08T15:22:27Z

Keith: 1 revision

2009-10-24T17:44:24Z

1 revision

Keith at 18:59, 5 September 2008

2008-09-05T18:59:18Z

New review

{{infoboxsort
|title=The Trap
|author=Sarah Wray
|reviewer=Jason Mark Curley
|genre=Teens
|summary=One puzzle after another leads to treasure and danger in an edge-of-the-seat spooky thriller. Highly recommended.
|rating=4.5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|format=Paperback
|pages=240
|publisher= Faber Children's Books
|date=August 2008
|isbn=978-0571239214
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0571239218</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>0571239218</amazonus>
|sort=Trap
}}

Luke Sheldon is an over-achieving, diabetic fifteen year old from London. With an elder brother (who constantly harasses him) about to go to university, Luke can't wait to get the room they share all to himself. One morning, while enduring yet another barrage of abuse from his sibling, he receives a letter from the WRYP (Well Rounded Youth Project) – a camp for smart children – telling him he's been invited to a camp in the USA.

When he gets to Heathrow Airport to meet the leaders and fellow campers, he spots a friend from his old school, Natalie Anderson – a girl as smart as he is. The two of them make friends with another boy – Matt Newbury. After a plane ride to New York, the campers take a bus to the Adirondack Mountains – the home of Camp Hope.

After settling in and meeting his nasty camp councillor, Drew, the fun of the camp starts with hiking, horse-riding and archery. After lunch, Luke finds a coded message in his cabin. Later on, Luke and his friends assemble to decipher the code; they reveal a message about a treasure quest. But when further clues arrive, the hunt leads Luke into the forbidden tunnels in the surrounding forest. When things begin to go wrong, he realises his taste for problem solving has lead him to bite off more than he can chew.

''The Trap'' is a great book and a very refreshing read. I've not read too many mystery/thrillers written for children, but I am surprised that I enjoyed this book so much. The characters are fantastic, though a little stereotypical at times. Wray seems to have a rose tinted perspective for a certain kind of child – the nerdy sort. Though it may well be the brighter kids who really get this book.

One of the great things about it, and its unique selling point, are the puzzles. Luke gets coded messages, in various forms of cipher, throughout the novel. I couldn't resist getting the pen and paper out before continuing, to see if I could work out what they meant. There is also a lead up and preamble of explanation between the characters as they look at the puzzles for the first time, providing clues and hints to the reader about how each problem is solved.

The story is excellent too. Wray really knows how to build up and maintain the tension. The descriptions of the camp and its surroundings absolutely take you there. Overall this is a great, stand alone novel that really did entertain.

If you like this, I'd recommend [[Triskellion by Will Peterson]]. If you like the puzzles integrated into the story, I'd have a look at [[The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon]].

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.

{{amazontext|amazon=0571239218}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=6211779}}

{{commenthead}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:22, 8 September 2012
Line 37:		Line 37:

	{{commenthead}}		{{commenthead}}
		+	[[Category:Thrillers\|Trap]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{infoboxsort
+{{infobox1
 |title=The Trap
 |author=Sarah Wray
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 |date=August 2008
 |isbn=978-0571239214
 |sort=Trap
 }}

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 |buy=Yes
 |borrow=Yes
 |pages=240
 |publisher= Faber Children's Books
@@ Line 34: / Line 33: @@
 I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.
-{{amazontext|amazon=0571239218}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=6211779}}
+{{amazontext|amazon=0571239218}}
 {{commenthead}}
 [[Category:Thrillers|Trap]]

← Older revision	Revision as of 17:44, 24 October 2009
(No difference)

The Trap by Sarah Wray - Revision history

Sue at 13:30, 3 April 2018

Sue at 14:41, 2 February 2015

Sue at 15:22, 8 September 2012

Keith: 1 revision

Keith at 18:59, 5 September 2008