Cool concept, but the writing was a bit stiff...it could have been better written. ( )

I gave this 4 stars, but really think it is a 3.5 star book.. I think if I were reading this, as a kid, I would have devoured this one. Even as an adult, this one held my attention, though I feel the characters were a bit flat.
The parents were completely checked out, and though this was part of the storyline, it was not terribly realistic.
The puzzles, mystery and history lessons about NY were the best part of this story and I will read the sequel, as it definitely appears to have one. I will say that Trenton Lee Stewart's Mysterious Benedict Society trilogy is far superior in character development than this book, but this book kept me entertained and I would think that kids who like a mystery will love this book. ( )

When CJ, Brid, Patrick, and their baby sister move to 5th Avenue from Brooklyn their lives change dramatically. With their new address comes fancy private schools and distance from old friends. They aren't happy about it until they stumble upon clues to a mystery that's almost 100 years old. Bouncing a tennis ball, which goes astray, leads them to a mysterious message behind a wall, and they discover a way overdue library book (it was due in 1937). They don't realize that returning the book will change their lives forever. They aren’t the only ones trying to solve the mystery. But, not everyone has access to the poems written on the walls of their apartment, and they also have a handwritten book of poems that must mean something. But, what? Is the man who is has been creeping around their apartment safe? Who is Eloise from downstairs? Was a treasure really hidden? Could something like that even still be there after all these years? Is it possible for three kids to solve a mystery that no one has been able to solve in all these years? You have to read this adventure! See if you can solve the case!

Walls Within Walls by Maureen Sherry was right up my alley. I love to solve mysteries and so do these kids. Put us in an apartment together and we'd have lots of fun! I like that the mystery was based around poems because I read a variety of different ones in this book, and I feel like not only was I getting to solve the mystery, but I learned a lot too. It was also great that there were codes and puzzles for the reader to solve along with the characters. I liked CJ and Brid, but their younger brother Patrick was probably my favorite. I think I'll skip having him write any letters to my teachers though after seeing what he wrote (you will laugh out loud). Eloise is an excellent character and she added so much to the story. This was my first book by this author but I look forward to reading more books by her in the future, especially the rest of the series which has been exciting so far. I would recommend this book to kids in fourth grade and up. I think younger kids could enjoy it with an adult but they might need some help and some explanations to solve the problems/codes. Anyone who lives in NYC will have a blast and the upper hand when trying to figure out the clues. I know I have some places to visit soon to see if they match what was in the book. ( )

After their father strikes it rich with the sale of a video game, a family with four siblings moves from Brooklyn (leaving friends and familiarity behind) to Manhattan. As they adjust to their new surroundings, they learn about a mysterious inheritance can only be found after solving puzzles. Much of the puzzle-solving involves the walls in their new apartment. ( )

When the Smithfork family moves into a lavish Manhattan apartment building, they discover clues to a decades-old mystery hidden behind the walls of their new home.