Sunday, November 24, 2019

Anyone’s Game (Cross Ups #2) by Sylv Chiang –NOT RECOMMENDED


Anyone’s Game (Cross Ups #2) by Sylv Chiang,186 pages. Annick Press, 2018 $10  Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – NO

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  LOW

Jaden and his one of his best friends, Cali don’t live in the same place, but they get to play games together online. Their favorite game is called Cross ups and Jaden and Calif are really good at it. So good that Jaden has played in a tournament before. Now there is going to another tournament where Cali lives. Jaden and his friends and his sister get to go, but from the start nothing goes right from his hair color, to losing his luggage, and even his friendship with Cali. Cali not only has family issues but a very scary personal issue as well. Will Jaden be able to figure out how to win the tournament and how to help his best friend?

I think the characters are in 6th grade or so, but I couldn’t find a place that said so outright. They are on summer break in any case. I had a difficult time making my way through the story without having read the first book, where much of the character building must have been done.  I like the plot of the story, but its just draggy at times with a lot of filler (Jaden’s time at summer camp for example). The idea of a book about kids who game online is great, and would have an audience, I just wish the story itself was a bit more polished. Some illustrations throughout.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.

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