Click Here to Start by Denis Markell

What if playing video games was prepping you to solve an incredible real-world puzzle and locate a priceless treasure?

Twelve-year-old Ted Gerson has spent most of his summer playing video games. So when his great-uncle dies and bequeaths him the all so-called treasure in his overstuffed junk shop of an apartment, Ted explores it like it’s another level to beat. And to his shock, he finds that eccentric Great-Uncle Ted actually has set the place up like a real-life escape-the-room game!

Using his specially honed skills, Ted sets off to win the greatest game he’s ever played.

Wait. Is a real, live adult person actually asking me details about the games I play? This is unheard of.

Click Here to Start is a unique story that feels as if the author is sharing something personal with the reader. I highly reccomend starting with the dedication at the front of the book (which I’m glad I didn’t skip) because it serves as the touchstone for the book as a whole.

It seems like the best escape games come
from Japan for some reason. It makes me proud.

The hero of this adventure is Ted Gerson, a Japanese-Jewish-American kid who is still figuring out who he is. The one thing he knows for sure is video games, which he’s sure doesn’t count for much. As the adventure unfolds, we get to see Ted discover the real-world value of his video game, puzzle-solving skills. Click Here to Start is a little slow to get rolling, but the adventure picks up as Ted runs into more puzzling clues and problems to solve.

⬢ ⬢  TWO STARS
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