Telling the Truth Could Get Them Killed. Remaining Silent Could Be Worse. When Cooper, Hiro, and Gordy witness a robbery that leaves a man in a coma, they find themselves tangled in a web of mystery and deceit that threatens their lives. After being seen by the criminals---who may also be cops---Cooper makes everyone promise never to reveal what they have seen. Telling the truth could kill them. But remaining silent means an innocent man takes the fall, and a friend never receives justice. Is there ever a time to lie? And what happens when the truth is dangerous? The three friends, trapped in a code of silence, must face the consequences of choosing right or wrong when both options have their price.
Code of Silence
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Gr 6-8-A well-written and well-plotted tale about friendship, trust, and doing the right thing. When Cooper, Hiro, and Gordy witness the robbery and beating of a beloved diner owner, they flee the scene, Cooper with the diner's video surveillance in hand. One of the masked men sees him and orders him to surrender the hard drive containing footage of the holdup. In fear, Cooper begs his friends to keep quiet about the robbery. He is sure dirty cops are involved, while Hiro (a dead cop's daughter and a bit of a detective-in-training) suspects a local bully and his father. The trio is in a race to uncover the criminals before cagey Detective Hammer interrogates the entire eighth-grade class and fingers them as witnesses, putting them all at risk. Cooper is an adept liar who manages to evade the criminals and the police. Hiro, the group's conscience, struggles to remain silent, and Gordy just wants things to return to normal. Afraid to contact police, these three teens attempt to discover the criminals themselves at great personal risk. Suspenseful and with a heart-pounding conclusion, this crime drama is a great recommendation for fans of mysteries and thrillers.-Kimberly Garnick Giarratano, Rockaway Township Public Library, NJα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review
'Some will find Shoemaker's covering of every angle too exhaustive, but it is just this meticulousness that makes this novel stand apart. Rarely are kids in thrillers portrayed this realistically: sick with worry, horrified by injury, and smart but not preternaturally so. Mentions of multiple characters' Christianity feel shoehorned in, but that doesn't take away from this deliberate, plausible, and gritty whodunit.'- Daniel Kraus, Booklist Review -- Booklist Review <br><br> (Booklist Review )
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I immediately cared for the three teen characters, Cooper, Gordy and Hiro. They are regular kids enjoying a regular life and sharing good times with a trusted adult, Frank, at a local hangout. After witnessing a robbery and beating, Cooper risks himself to protect Gordy and Hiro and is identified and threatened by the robbers. The boys decide to keep silent because they fear for the safety of Cooper and his family. Thus, the 'Code of Silence' is set. It seems like a wise plan but, immediately, lies must be told. They don't like lying or how it makes them feel, but soon they are hiding the truth from parents, teachers and police. They begin to wonder if they can still trust each other, though the teenagers both protect and stand up for each other. One boy is especially concerned about what the lies are doing to their character and if personal safety is a reason to not tell the truth. Themes of loyalty and courage in friendship abound, all tested by the corrosiveness of lies. Action is plentiful throughout the book: bike chases, bold moves, cover-ups and sting operations initiated by the kids, all keeping them just out of reach of the enemy. Parents should know that there is some sneaking out of the house, though not often because these kids seem to have a lot free time, are trusted, and have resources at their disposal. In the end, facing the truth is almost more frightening than confronting the enemy. While most teens will enjoy the action and tension of the life-threatening tasks Cooper, Gordy and Hiro take on, parents can be assured that good relationships between families, friends and community abound. 'Code of Silence' is a tense tale with real consequences and a nice heart. There is some promise at the end for another adventure and I want to read it. -- The Dove Foundation <br><br> (The Dove Foundation )
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I immediately cared for the three teen characters, Cooper, Gordy and Hiro. They are regular kids enjoying a regular life and sharing good times with a trusted adult, Frank, at a local hangout. After witnessing a robbery and beating, Cooper risks himself to protect Gordy and Hiro and is identified and threatened by the robbers. The boys decide to keep silent because they fear for the safety of Cooper and his family. Thus, the 'Code of Silence' is set. It seems like a wise plan but, immediately, lies must be told. They don't like lying or how it makes them feel, but soon they are hiding the truth from parents, teachers and police. They begin to wonder if they can still trust each other, though the teenagers both protect and stand up for each other. One boy is especially concerned about what the lies are doing to their character and if personal safety is a reason to not tell the truth. Themes of loyalty and courage in friendship abound, all tested by the corrosiveness of lies. Action is plentiful throughout the book: bike chases, bold moves, cover-ups and sting operations initiated by the kids, all keeping them just out of reach of the enemy. Parents should know that there is some sneaking out of the house, though not often because these kids seem to have a lot free time, are trusted, and have resources at their disposal. In the end, facing the truth is almost more frightening than confronting the enemy. While most teens will enjoy the action and tension of the life-threatening tasks Cooper, Gordy and Hiro take on, parents can be assured that good relationships between families, friends and community abound. 'Code of Silence' is a tense tale with real consequences and a nice heart. There is some promise at the end for another adventure and I want to read it. -- The Dove Foundation <br><br> (The Dove Foundation )
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By M. Knapp
Format:Hardcover
Cooper, Hiro and Gordy are hanging out after hours at a favorite soda shop, when they witness a robbery that leaves the beloved store owner in a coma. The three form of pact of silence that not only causes them moral difficulty, but puts them in greater danger from the criminals. The multicultural set up of two boys-one girl, when boys are risk takers and the girl is smart seems fairly standard. Reading the book as an adult, their unwillingness to trust authority figures or the police seems like a contrivance to keep the story going. It is explained away as "maybe the police are in on it" but surely there was some trustworthy adult they could tell. There is hard drive with evidence, lots of bking around town and hints of Chicago gangland connections. The action is ongoing, peppered with prayers and remorse about lying. As the publisher is Zondervan, this is in keeping with what I expected and doesn't intrude unnecessarily on the storyline. If you are looking for action oriented Christian fiction, this is a good choice for middle schoolers.
About me: I'm a middle school/high school librarian
How I got this book: purchased for the library
About me: I'm a middle school/high school librarian
How I got this book: purchased for the library
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By haleybarb
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I got a Kindle for my birthday and immediately ordered this as my first book. What a delight! Part of me wanted to know the ending and another part never wanted the book to end. Now that's my definition of excellent suspense! Characters real--dialogue, emotions, relationships. I cannot wait for the next book!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Novel Teen
Format:Hardcover
Review by Jill Williamson
Cooper, Gordy, and Hiro witness a robbery and an attack one night at their favorite milkshake restaurant that leaves the owner in a coma and them the only witnesses. They make a pact--a code of silence--not to tell anyone what they saw. But the lie weighs heavily on their minds. Cooper left his backpack at the restaurant, and the police are looking for him! But so are the bad guys and Cooper is afraid to talk to anyone.
Fabulous! I loved this book. It drew me in from the first page and I read it in a day. Cooper, Gordy, and Hiro are three unique characters, who each deal with the stress of what they saw in different ways. The mystery continues to the last page. This is a fun read for young and old readers. Check it out!
Cooper, Gordy, and Hiro witness a robbery and an attack one night at their favorite milkshake restaurant that leaves the owner in a coma and them the only witnesses. They make a pact--a code of silence--not to tell anyone what they saw. But the lie weighs heavily on their minds. Cooper left his backpack at the restaurant, and the police are looking for him! But so are the bad guys and Cooper is afraid to talk to anyone.
Fabulous! I loved this book. It drew me in from the first page and I read it in a day. Cooper, Gordy, and Hiro are three unique characters, who each deal with the stress of what they saw in different ways. The mystery continues to the last page. This is a fun read for young and old readers. Check it out!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Is a Lie Ever Acceptable?
This is a rare find in today's market place--a story that upholds moral values and still has the good guys winning. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Donal Ure
5.0 out of 5 stars
CODE OF SILENCE
Zonderkids recently sent me copies of Tim Shoemaker¡¦s ¡§Code of Silence¡¨ series free of charge in exchange for my honest review of them.
I am so excited! Read more
I am so excited! Read more
Published 28 days ago by Penny Henry
5.0 out of 5 stars
Code of Silence
Awesome read based on the school I attend right now.
Go Chargers! Super excited for the next book he writes.
Go Chargers! Super excited for the next book he writes.
Published 1 month ago by Theresa Kovathana
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lies and more lies
Characters Cooper, Hiro, and Gordy are eye witnesses to a robbery at their favorite hotdog hangout. They are typical 13 year olds enjoying the food and video games. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Library Lady
4.0 out of 5 stars
A mystery certain to appeal to your teen: My review of "Code of...
Close friends Cooper, Hiro, and Gordy are at their normal after-school destination, Frank 'n Stein's Diner, when the unthinkable happens - they witness a robbery and assault of the... Read more
Published 8 months ago by christianfictionaddiction
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hard to put down
Cooper, his cousin Gordy, and friend Hiroko hang out at their favorite restaurant playing one last video game while the owner closes up. Read more
Published 8 months ago by M. Hamilton
5.0 out of 5 stars
could not put it down and great message
My son is now 11, and is rereading the book for the third time.
What more could I want for my avid reader, age 10, who wants to read the Hunger Games, but I want better food... Read more
What more could I want for my avid reader, age 10, who wants to read the Hunger Games, but I want better food... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mir
5.0 out of 5 stars
More books like this need to fill the shelves of bookstores and...
Cooper, Gordy and Hiro are enjoying an ordinary afternoon hanging out at Frank 'n Stein's Diner for an after-school snack and a few rounds of arcade games. Read more
Published 11 months ago by FaithfulReader.com
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent for both children and adults! Truly a pleasure.
I was halfway through the book and loving the suspense before I realized it is marketed to 8-12yo boys. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Megan Breedlove
5.0 out of 5 stars
I loved this book!
Living a lie comes with a price.
Cooper, Hiro, and Gordy witness a nearly fatal robbery. When they run from the crime scene, one of the burglars takes Cooper's house key,... Read more
Cooper, Hiro, and Gordy witness a nearly fatal robbery. When they run from the crime scene, one of the burglars takes Cooper's house key,... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Libbi
