Blue Avenger Cracks the Code [School & Library Binding]

Norma Howe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2003

What do an amorous Shih Tzu, a computer game, and the complete works of Shakespeare have in common?

Maybe nothing. Or maybe everything. It's a mystery...some would say a code. A code that only an adept code-cracker like Blue Avenger (aka David Schumacher), secret champion of the underdog, modest seeker of truth, and fearless innovator of the unknown, would even think about trying to decipher. And it couldn't come at a better time. Having accomplished several seemingly impossible missions, Blue is now a superhero without a cause, directionless and nearly girlfriendless. When he is offered a chance to visit Venice, it seems the forces of nature have aligned, and like all good and noble superheroes, Blue must choose to accept his mission.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Who can crack complicated ciphers faster than a speeding bullet? Or leap tall gondolas in a single bound? It's a supercomputer, it's an Olympic athlete, no, it's Blue Avenger, a.k.a. David Schumacher, Norma Howe's 16-year-old self-made superhero. Blue is back for another round of everyday miracle making in Howe's deliciously clever sequel to The Adventures of Blue Avenger. This time our hero is on the hunt for the true author of Shakespeare's plays--was it really William Shakespeare? Or could it have been the obscure 17th Earl of Oxford, Edward De Vere? While he searches for clues to the history mystery, Blue also manages to score a trip to Venice, foil the foul dog-napping of his grammy's beloved Shih Tzu, and discover a sure-fire way of securing the copyright of his friend Louie's stolen video game idea. But even as he saves the world bit by bit, Blue can't help but wonder what it will take to finally win the trust and love of his friend and crush, the fair Omaha Nebraska Brown. Cracking the code of her heart may end up becoming Blue's biggest challenge.

Like its predecessor, Blue Avenger Cracks the Code is full of engaging, interlocking plot lines that Howe juggles nimbly and matches up neatly by book's end. Has learning through fiction ever been so fun? Full of facts and factoids, Code will have teens running out to research the 17th Earl of Oxford and trying their hands at Francis Bacon's Bi-Lateral Cipher. As always, the Avenger's adventures are true Blue, and very cool. Stay tuned for the next installment! (Ages 12 and older) --Jennifer Hubert --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Persuaded by his English teacher that the author of the plays attributed to Shakespeare is someone else, Blue quickly sets to work decoding Elizabethan anagrams and ciphers. PW called this "less philosophical than The Adventures of Blue Avenger, but just as eccentric and intellectually engaging." Ages 13-up.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• School & Library Binding
• Publisher: Rebound By Sagebrush; Rebound edition (December 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0613670698
• ISBN-13: 978-0613670692
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,461,544 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blue Avenger Strikes Again, September 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Blue Avenger Cracks the Code (Hardcover)

In this book, the sequel to The Adventures of Blue Avenger, Blue continues his exploits to save humanity from crime and corruption. His adventures take him from Oakland, California, to Venice, Italy, and along the way he meets many new friends. This book has many more characters than the first, which makes it even more interesting. The entire plot is intertwined with the mystery of whether or not William Shakespeare really wrote the famed Shakespearean plays. Many conjecture that Edward De Vere, an English earl, was actually the author of Shakespeare's plays. Although this book wasn't as funny as the first, the mystery makes it an even better book. Both books in the series are quick reads, but well worth the time for anyone, especially teenage readers.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It makes Shakespeare much more interesting. And its fun to read. Wow!, July 27, 2008

By 

EMI - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Avenger Cracks the Code (Paperback)

This book works well as a sequel to 'the Adventures of Blue Avenger,' it picks up more or less where 'adventures' ended, but is clearly its own story. I'm not going to give much away, but it involves a trip to Europe, a historical mystery, Shakespeare, and yes, a code to be cracked. Part of the story is based on 'the Merchant of Venice.' The themes of personal integrity and helpfulness are still strongly present, which I was pleased about, and this time the undercurrent is more academic and historical than philosophical.

I am a huge fan of the Blue Avenger series, I first read them when I was in high school, and I can still appreciate them at 25. This particular book would be perfect for a high schooler who is studying Shakespeare at school. It would make the work much more interesting, I think.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blue Avenger Cracks the Code, July 29, 2004

By 

Teenreads.com (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Avenger Cracks the Code (Hardcover)

In Norma Howe's first book, THE ADVENTURES OF BLUE AVENGER, her main character David Schumacher changes his name to "Blue Avenger" and becomes a self-made hero. In the sequel, BLUE AVENGER CRACKS THE CODE, the adventure continues.

The book opens as Blue is reading through his father's old books, which have remained untouched since his death three years before. The last book on his list is THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, and Blue begins to wonder who the real Bard was. Could it have actually been Shakespeare or was it Edward De Vere, the relatively unknown 17th Earl of Oxford? Blue, his best friend Louis DeSoto, and Louis's sister Drusie all travel to Venice in order to solve this enigma.

The three friends navigate through many mysteries on this fateful trip. When the time comes for them to board the plane for their long journey home, you wonder if they will be able to resume their normal lives --- or will author extraordinaire Howe treat us to yet another installment? One can only hope that Blue will have more codes to crack in the near future.

--- Reviewed by Audrey Marie Danielson