45 pages 1 hour read

Gordon Korman

Masterminds

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2015

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Masterminds by Gordon Korman centers on Eli Frieden and his four classmates who uncover the dark secret behind their idyllic town of Serenity, New Mexico. After Eli falls mysteriously ill at the town's border and his friend Randy is abruptly sent away, the group discovers they're clones of criminal masterminds, part of an experiment to study criminal behavior. They ultimately devise an escape plan to expose the truth.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Gordon Korman's Masterminds offers an enthralling narrative filled with suspense and unexpected twists. Critics praise its fast-paced plot and relatable characters, making it a hit with young readers. However, some note that the storyline occasionally stretches believability. Overall, it’s a compelling read with minor flaws.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Masterminds?

Readers who would enjoy Gordon Korman's Masterminds are typically ages 10-14 and drawn to thrilling, fast-paced adventure stories with elements of mystery and surprise. Fans of Lois Lowry's The Giver and James Dashner's The Maze Runner series will likely find this book captivating, given its focus on dystopian themes and unexpected twists.

RecommendedReading Age

8-12years

Lexile Level

730L

Book Details

Genre

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Action / Adventure

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Themes

Self Discovery

Values/Ideas: Science & Technology

Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Topics

Science / Nature

Education

Technology