The Hidden Code

Gr 6 Up–Hannah hasn’t seen her parents since they left for a trip abroad 11 years ago. They are presumed dead, and Hannah and her uncle are shocked when a letter appears from Hannah’s mom filled with hasty explanations of her parents’ mission to eradicate the Code of Enoch, an artifact that is rumored to be able to create or destroy life. Determined to uncover the truth behind her parents’ disappearance, Hannah teams up with her uncle Randall, her best friend Lucas, and the mysterious Ethan Oliver for an extraordinary and dangerous quest to locate the Code. In this promising concept that falls short, Hoover pieces together a treasure hunt mystery with a slightly tropey cast of characters. Relationships, especially Hannah, Lucas, and Ethan’s, lack defining moments to solidify believable reasoning behind their actions, resulting in a “go with the flow” attitude toward many plot points. Hannah often reads younger than her 16 years, which makes the book accessible for a wider range of youth but leaves Hannah feeling immature for older readers. That aside, there are some truly captivating moments as Hannah and her companions decipher artifacts, maps, and clues, conveying the thrill of chase when researching ancient legends.