Clue by Clue (Carmen Sandiego)

Everybody loves a good treasure hunt, so when a treasure map comes to light after centuries of searching, there are plenty of interested parties. Chief among them are the members of VILE Academy, a criminal organization with numerous villains at their disposal. But unfortunately for them, one of their star pupils has turned to the side of good. You’ve probably heard of her…Carmen Sandiego. And joining her former pursuers at ACME has given her a new lease on life and a new way to exercise her skills: by protecting the world’s treasures.

Based on the new Netflix original series, Carmen Sandiego: Clue by Clue is a fun romp for younger readers and a perfect way to introduce them to both the new show and the legacy of Carmen Sandiego. The book has interesting ties to both the original games (with one character known simply as Player who provides information) and the beloved Fox cartoon show (with returning characters Zack and Ivy), but still feels like a fresh take on the property.

Plus, this book has a built-in decoder wheel to assist you with a bit of codebreaking. The concept is very cool, although I wish the book forced you to use it, rather than giving up the answers so easily. (Though the list of coded words in the back is a nice consolation prize.)

All in all, Clue by Clue is a worthy addition to the canon, connecting the franchise’s gaming roots with the newest version of the character.