Brainwashed: Crime Travelers Spy School Mystery & International Adventure Series Book 1

Brainwashed! is a fast-paced story about a cool corps of well-trained crime-fighting kids with the will and the resources to combat criminals anywhere and everywhere on earth. Paul Aertker, the author has done a really nice job of setting up the world his planned series takes place in without ever slowing the action - weaving the background very naturally into the telling of the story. We learn about the kids' world along the way, as we join their mission to foil an outrageous, evil plot and reveal the culprits. The kids reveal a lot about themselves in the process, too, and even more mysteries and secrets, yet to unfold, are enticingly hinted at. I'm really looking forward to the next leg of the kids' journey.I found the concept of the Crime Travelers and the New Resistance very engaging - very engaging to me, likely to be very engaging for kids, and maybe something that could tickle a kid's sense of adventure in adults (if they're reading the book AS adults and not as a kid to begin with...). The Crime Travelers are a group of kids helping the few adults that recognize what's really going on, combat the horrible threat, the misuse, and suffering - the evil - confronting kids all over the world.These kids of the New Resistance can't help but answer that silent yet earsplitting plea from their fellow, hurting, kids. Many in the New Resistance came from those very circumstances, but persevered, chanced to overcome or escape or, more likely, were rescued themselves.They answer that call by undertaking perilous missions to save others; missions that I'm sure they could do without - they're just kids after all, even if toughly trained. But they can't ignore what's going on. Especially not in the face of an adult world that blithely ignores the crisis as remote and affecting only others, or just refuses to see and acknowledge. Though they may need the adults' material assets and tools to resist and vanquish this evil, the spirit is all their own.I liked how the kids have a comfortable relationship with the group they belong to, even while they may have an uncomfortable relationship with their own skin - still figuring out who they are; what they may be. At least they're sure what their fellowship is all about. Everyone needs a home. Even if it's in a hotel. Or in your head.I liked that each of the kids brings something important and unique to the quest, often despite, but sometimes because of their difficult early life - their painful 'origin stories'.And I liked that there weren't any guns, that I recall. I haven't successfully dealt with that in my own fictional world, but I hope to.Thanks, Paul. I really enjoyed your teaser for Book 2. Looking forward to it!

I was looking for a book for my 12 year old daughter who had hit a dry spell with engaging books she was willing to read to the end. A friend recommended this so I bought it. I thought I'd take a peek and see if it might appeal to my daughter before giving it to her. I couldn't put it down.This book is a rip roaring ride through Paris with a truly likable main character and a cast of supporting characters as colorful as a band of Rhald Dahl characters. It's a page turner packed with cliffhangers that keep the pace brisk.My daughter caught me reading it obsessively and giggling at Aertker's comic scenes. I told her what I was reading and why and she immediately demanded I hand over "her" book. She slipped into her room and didn't emerge. I peeked in and asked her if she liked it and she told me she LOVED it. I let her stay up late and pried it out of her hands at 11pm. (Then I finished it!).She read Brainwashed for the next two nights and finished it. She said, and I agreed, that it's the most fun she's had with a book in a loooong time.I was a 4th grade teacher for many years. This novel has an exciting plot, intriguing characters, and short, snappy chapters that speak to the middle grade reader and keep the pages turning. The hero of this novel, Lucas Benes (pronounced like Tennis) lives in a hotel with an international group of rescued homeless children who are being trained by Lucas's adoptive dad to counter the efforts of a powerful international child trafficking organization posing as a legitimate corporation. The story starts when Lucas finds a baby left at the hotel he lives in and this discovery sends Lucas and friends on a mission that never let's up. It's funny, smart, cleverly plotted and has real heart. I think any child from age 9-14 would love this book (and so would their parents). It's good, clean fun and the author make Paris shimmer with life. Enjoy.

As a middle school World Geography teacher, I had been looking for the perfect book to introduce to my classes as a book study book. I wanted one that obviously, had a lot of travel and adventure so we could track all the locations, but I also wanted one that would keep my student's interest. I was lucky enough to find THIS book! At first I got 1 copy and did a "test run" with my own kids (who were 10 at the time) and once I got their stamp of approval, I got an entire classroom set! Last year my students loved it and many of them asked about the second book in this series so I knew I had them hooked! We are just starting a new school year and today was our first day jumping into the new book with 120 new 7th graders. Teachers, if you are looking for a book for your classes and parents, if you are looking for a great series to start with your preteens, look no further! You won't be disappointed!!

I had high expectations for this book, but they fell flat. I only made it to page 75 with my son. He is 9, and this book is supposedly geared toward that age group... but there was a lot of "adult" topics in the book.... "human trafficking", "abandoned babies", specific detailing of young children who get forced into becoming soldiers and carry "guns almost as tall as themselves", etc etc. Not the "adventure" type book I was expecting to enjoy with my son. It's also slightly confusing as to how all these children end up living in hotels to become part of the "resistance" with no details as to how this is allowed etc etc... the story has a lot of holes in it. Just for reference, I am an avid reader. We stopped reading it and will switch to something more classic and geared toward his age.

Lots of action adventure in this face paced book that middle grade kids will enjoy. Can’t wait to follow Lucas’ adventures as he discovers the truth about his past.

Nicely written and well worth a read.

Great

My 12yrs old grand son liked them!

It is so amazing kids always want to be little sleuths and here you have a book that inspires them, the story and all is absolutely amazing, I recommend this book to everyone!!!!!!

I liked this book personally because it is a mix of... Emotions?I would recommend this book for a mature 9 year old and up