I hesitate a little bit to review this book because as an adult non-Christian, I am definitely not its intended audience. However, since it isn't necessarily readily apparent that it is a Christian book, and since many adults do read juv and YA novels, I will add my opinion to the bunch.

This book sucks. It's terrible. Reading it is torture. (But torture that I had to endure for work.) There is a mystery, which could have POSSIBLY been interesting with more interesting characters and if the whole goody-two-shoes Christian theme was completely wiped out.

Look, I hate lying as much as the next person, possibly more. I can be honest and forthcoming to a fault, and I hate hate HATE lying, even lying by omission. In most cases, I think lying is a VERY BAD IDEA.

That being said, the preachiness in this book is exhausting. It's like a 300 page Berenstain Bears novel but way less interesting. And if you're not a Christian, all the talk about praying and God feels cheesy, like you're reading a Sunday School pamphlet. And the kids are so darn wholesome. What eighth grader says "baloney" instead of BS? None I know.

Anyway take this all with a grain of salt. If you are the intended audience, I'm sure this book is great. It has many 4 and 5 star reviews to back up that statement. If you're a cynical, non-religious adult, this is not the book for you. ( )

From a mother's point of view this book was very frustrating. I did not enjoy the teenage main characters lying to the adults around them. Yes, the author made these teenagers learn a major life lesson the hard way, I still found myself wanting to sit these teenagers down and have a heart-to-heart talk with them. The writing style was really easy to read. I can understand why this book was chosen for the 2015/2016 Iowa Children's Choice List, the book is well written and very discuss-able. I wish this author the best of luck with this book. It is worth the time to read it ( )

Cooper, Hiro and Gordy are best friends who like to spend afternoons after school at their favorite handout Frank-N-Stein’s Restaurant. One evening they decided to play one more arcade game while their friend, mentor and owner Frank locks up. What happens next is the beginning of a nightmare. The three friends are trapped in the restaurant and witness the robbery and beating of Frank. When one of the robbers pulls and leaves the video that would incriminate them in the robbery, Cooper takes the opportunity to snatch it and escape. The others get away and Cooper is caught and his house keys taken and he is left with a threat to his family. He and his friends get away. They make a pact to keep what they know silent. They don’t know who they can trust because the robbers were dressed in police uniforms. Unfortunately Cooper’s backpack left at the scene put the cops and the criminals on his trail. His lies upon lies begin to catch up with him. It strains his relationship with his parents, his friends and with his relationship with God. This was one of those books that once you start you can’t put it down. The messages about doing the right thing, friendship, loyalty, honesty, lies and telling the truth can be found all through the book. When I give my book talk about this book I’m going to ask my students up front if they believe it is ever okay to tell a lie and ask for examples. Then I will introduce this book because people need to realize that just because you think it is okay to lie, there are consequences for each lie you tell. This is a book I definitely recommend to my students and all adults who love to read a good mystery. ( )

Okay I haven't read a mystery book of this sort for a while now, so when I got past the first couple of chapters I was hooked. The feeling of suspense and wondering what could happen next, was a feeling that I love to experience when reading.

The characters were meant for each other. The bond that they shared when faced with a situation that other peoples lives were also faced with danger was incredible. I probably would have wet my pants with all the events that took place throughout the book. However, these three friends are able to make a new friend along the way that soon they too can share their bond with.

The plot flowed well with every sentence, and I never once had to put my book down. Like I mentioned this before this book is full of suspense that will leave you sitting on the edge of your toes.this book also contains friendship beyond all accords. The bond that is shown throughout these chapters is one that I believe anyone would like to have.

I give this book 4 souls! ( )

Author: Tim Shoemaker
Published by: Zonderkidz
Age Recommend: Preteens
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Raven Rating: 5
Blog Review For: GMTA
Review:

"Code of Silence" by Tim Shoemaker was a good mystery thriller read. This novel may have been for the middle grades( 9-12), however I (adult) was very kept on the edge of my seat through this read. There was a lots of suspense and action going on all through this read.

Hiro, Gordy and Cooper were childhood friends that was truly in the wrong place at the wrong time...witnessing a cruel robbery... who were wearing police uniforms....... at their favorite hang out..and now there friend Frank Mustacci (part- owner) was left in a coma. Thinking that the robbers were cops... they feared for their lives so ..... the three friends decided to keep this a secret..."CODE OF SILENCE".. One thing for certain these three friends did not know how much living a lie would bring havoc into their lives. Having the security camera hard drive...still Cooper was afraid to turn it over to the police because wasn't a dirty cop involved in this robbery?

Earlier, Cooper who had been caught by one of the robbers and now his his family and friends had been threaten. What was Cooper to do? One thing for sure is that this will test their friendship in that they will have to choose between what is right or wrong about telling lies.

These three characters.... Hiro, (girl) Gordy,and Cooper (boys) were very good-natured ordinary kids that were place in a horrible situation .....made this story so appealing to the reader.... especially their friendship that they shared. However, later on the story did a fourth person became their friend too? Now just who was that person?

How the author was able to get this story presented was very well thought out. Now both ... the police and bad guys are after them....Is 'It's a way for them to tell the truth without getting caught'.... now you are just going to have to read this "Code of Silence" and see how this story plays out.

In the end I believe that these friends... Hiro, Gordy, Cooper and Lunk learned just who they can trust: God, friends and parents.. with the truth .... honesty is the best and only way to go...and I believe that is the real lesson of this story. "Code of Silence" was indeed a good read and I would definitely recommend this novel for a good read for the middle grades and even the adult too. ( )