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York: The Shadow Cipher
York: The Shadow Cipher | Laura Ruby
From National Book Award finalist and Printz Award winner Laura Ruby comes the first book in an epic alternate history series about three kids who try to solve the greatest mystery of the modern world: a puzzle and treasure hunt laid into the very streets and buildings of New York City. It was 1798 when the Morningstarr twins arrived in New York with a vision for a magnificent city: towering skyscrapers, dazzling machines, and winding train lines, all running on technology no one had ever seen before. Fifty-seven years later, the enigmatic architects disappeared, leaving behind for the people of New York the Old York Ciphera puzzle laid into the shining city they constructed, at the end of which was promised a treasure beyond all imagining. By the present day, however, the puzzle has never been solved, and the greatest mystery of the modern world is little more than a tourist attraction. Tess and Theo Biedermann and their friend Jaime Cruz live in a Morningstarr apartmentuntil a real estate developer announces that the city has agreed to sell him the five remaining Morningstarr buildings. Their likely destruction means the end of a dream long held by the people of New York. And if Tess, Theo, and Jaime want to save their home, they have to prove that the Old York Cipher is real. Which means they have to solve it.
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majkia
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Complex steampunk listed as middle-grade but pretty adultish to me. Only the main characters are kids I suppose makes it listed as middle-grade.

In an alt-NewYork, three kids and a few cronies try to solve a centuries old cipher in an effort to save the building they live in. It's impossible... Or is it. And, what will they win. Can they save their home?

I really enjoyed it.

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cottagelantern
Pickpick

4/5 ⭐️s
My favorite thing about this book was Ruby's writing style - very similar to what I'd like mine to be! Some of the characters from the past weren't super well-rounded, but she used them to create tension. I can't wait to read what happens in the next book.

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JoyBlue
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Pickpick
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Mchartt
Pickpick

Amazing! I love a book where people have to run around solving mysteries and such. Wonderful world building. Took me by surprise but a great distraction at the moment!

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Just_reading
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"Accepting things for what they are isn't giving up." #acceptance #quotes #lauraruby

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Skeeterisme
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Pickpick

Cute! Cool cover too.

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sidherinn
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JoyBlue
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Pickpick

Middle school/YA science fiction mystery? Yes, please! Can't wait to read the second installment!

readordierachel Glad to hear this is good! I really liked 5y
JoyBlue @readordierachel Thanks for the recommendation! 5y
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Yes! Anxiously awaiting the sequel 5y
59 likes4 comments
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Laru79
Pickpick

This is book one and I already need book two in my life, but have wait until May! I loved it! Cool characters, futuristic robots and creatures, a mystery to solve and a cliffhanger ending .... ooh it was clever, engaging and well written! Also, yay, finished my first book of the year. Read more in 2018 then 2017, so clearly have to read more this year too!!!

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Laru79

And I‘m diving straight into this one. This has been on my waiting shelf for too long (the library probably thinks it‘s gone forever!!) so it‘s about time I got reading. Sounds like a good adventure story!

19 likes1 stack add
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Jenny
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Pickpick

Why????? Total cliffhanger ending! Loved following the clues along with the kids. Definitely more plot driven than character but Cricket sure was fun. Can‘t wait for book two.

thebluestocking Thanks for the cliffhanger warning. 😉 6y
Jenny @thebluestocking yeah, you‘d call this a non ending. I‘d be fine with it if the next book was out. 6y
25 likes2 comments
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BookaholicNatty
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This is Book One of The Shadow Cipher series. It‘s the first time I have heard of this book but man does it look good. It‘s a novel about how New York City was built in 1798 with a puzzle constructed and laid into it with a treasure beyond all imagining at the end. In present day still no one has solved it and it‘s a great mystery! With the risk of some of the buildings being destroyed Tess, Theo, and Jaime have to prove this mystery is true!

kstadt929 Love the cover! 6y
Nashlovesbooks Looks like a fun read! 6y
TracyReadsBooks I loved this book! Laura Ruby is a wonderful writer. 6y
101 likes9 stack adds3 comments
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mr_annie
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Pickpick

What a truly magical experience! A wondrous reimagining of New York City replete with mechanical inventions, ciphers and incredible action scenes. A very fun romp with a killer cliffhanger!!

7 likes1 stack add
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BookendsAndDaydreams
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Finally got my paperback copy of this beauty a week or so ago, and since the monthly challenge for May in one of my book groups (TBR and Beyond on Facebook, check us out!) is middle grade books, I am ALL OVER this one first! Loving it so far!

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LibrarianRyan
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Cinfhen 👍🏻 6y
LibrarianRyan @Cinfhen thanks. The list I saved on my phone didn't show the co hosts and I left my iPad down stairs. 6y
See All 8 Comments
Cinfhen Just glad u r playing 💕 6y
Mdargusch Great! 👍🏼 6y
emilyhaldi Love this cover ❤️ 6y
Reviewsbylola Love! 6y
WanderingBookaneer This was a fun one! 6y
75 likes4 stack adds8 comments
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ChristyM
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Pickpick

This is a fun middle grade adventure novel with just a little bit of steampunk flavor. The alternate version of New York history was captivating - I‘m looking forward to the next title in the series.

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Blair_Reads
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Pickpick

Loved it. Good mystery, fun history blurbs, wonderful characters! I legitimately can‘t wait for the second book!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Your nails!! ❤️💅 6y
72 likes1 comment
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Blair_Reads
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Omg. I think Cricket is my favorite character 🖤🤘🏻

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Blair_Reads
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I am so totally into this book! Woke up to gloomier skies this morning, so the puppies and I are in the library bed this morning 😊

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Blair_Reads
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I. Am. So. Sleepy. Today. 😴

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Blair_Reads
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Enjoying another sunny day 😁

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Zbayardo
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Pickpick

Great fun middle grade and up mystery adventure!

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JSW
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Mr JSW and I are traveling and did our Christmas shopping/giving to each other today. Merry Christmas to me. 😍😍😍 His gifts are from the game store we went to.

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WanderingBookaneer
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Reading this as #MiaCat naps.

annkuch13 😻😻😻 6y
97 likes2 comments
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BookishMarginalia
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Pickpick

Entertaining and a nice setup for the series. Thoroughly enjoyable! And some parts about social issues are hugely resonant. Plus, I found my new favorite phrase: #NimbusOfOutrage!

IamIamIam Steampunk & NYC??? SOLD!!! 😂 6y
LibrarianRyan This is on my TBR. I'm glad you liked it. 6y
Heretherebedragons I love it! (edited) 6y
110 likes6 stack adds3 comments
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elkeOriginal
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Plus: cool map 💕🗺💕
#teammap #mapsinbooks #bookswithmaps

TricksyTails 😍😍😍 6y
minkyb Love a map! 6y
55 likes1 stack add2 comments
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elkeOriginal
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Pickpick

In short: The Westing Game set in a steampunkish New York City.
Three wonderfully odd kids in an alternative version of NY are trying to solve the Old York Cipher built into the fabric of the city by the long-disappeared genius inventor-architects, the Morningstarr twins. Lots of action and cool gadgets amidst the Cipher sleuthing and dodging of slimy villains.
Beware: this is book 1 in a series so it is cliffhangery! But surprising & satisfying.

TricksyTails This looks so cool! 6y
JSW My kind of read!! 6y
62 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Camille2
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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LibrarianRyan
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The closest I can come to a #cityinthetitle #uncannyoctober

36 likes1 stack add
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SassenachTheBookWizard
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Pickpick

This was a wonderful fast paced adventure/quest book. It's very much for middle grade but it leans towards being almost YA.

There's an adorable adventurous trio trying to balance their thirst to get to the truth and solve an old mystery with the hope that they will be able to save their apartment building. They struggle with trying to prove themselves to their families, deal with betrayal and see what greed and corruption looks like.

TaylorMay Sounds cool. Love the cover 6y
minkyb Thank you! Stacked. 6y
Wordsareweapons My daughter has this book! I keep trying to convince her to read it already or I‘m gonna steal it first lol 6y
87 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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SassenachTheBookWizard
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Maybe I can finish a sixth book this weekend? It's got a pretty cover AND decaled edges so...I gotta try it

The dogs are groomed, I am packed, laundry is done, place is cleaned and organized and dinner is cooking.

GypsyKat Love the cover! 6y
booksensation That book looks interesting.. 6y
minkyb Please report back. This is on my list. 6y
105 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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ferskner
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My reading slump continues! Everything is in place for me to love this book, yet somehow I'm not being pulled in. Has anyone read it? Should I push through?

KathyWheeler I hate reading slumps! 7y
NCNY I saw it compared to The Westing Game, which is one of my all time favorites, so my expectations were sky high. I didn't love it but thought it was fun. I'll definitely read the sequel when it comes out. 7y
ferskner @NCNY I've thought the same thing! I love The Westing Game so I keep expecting to be more caught up in this. 7y
30 likes3 comments
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SeanEasley
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This book has been sitting on my list for far too long. I think it's time to dig in.

25 likes3 stack adds
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Amie
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Pickpick

I don't think I fully appreciated this audiobook because I was extremely distracted by other things on my mind while I was listening to it. Even so, it seemed like a good book, with some humor when I was paying attention enough to catch it. I didn't fully absorb the plot, so I don't know if I didn't understand the ending or if it's a big cliff hanger. I'll have to listen to it again when the next book in the series comes out.

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RivendellMom
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Pickpick

Loved this as much as is humanly possible.

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heehee23
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Pickpick

This book was so good! The characters were just quirky enough and the plot was surprisingly intriguing. Gave me some serious National Treasure vibes. The ending, however, frustrated me. I hate cliffhangers. I need book two right now!

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MallenNC
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Pickpick

I liked this book enough to give it a pick, but I might change my feelings once the whole series is completed. The story doesn't end with this one. I liked the central conflict in this one and I liked the puzzle they were trying to solve. I liked the kid characters, in fact, I'd love a story about their neighbor Cricket. She was probably my favorite, even though she didn't play a huge part.

Tnovo I am bringing this one on vacation next week. Hoping it is an easy beach type read. 🌊☀️ 7y
MallenNC @Tnovo It was an easy read to me. I hope you like it. 7y
18 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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jessicarenee
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Can't sleep-- so it's books and tea for me tonight. [also this book is so much fun! I am loving everything about it.]

Chachic #bookandtea is the best combo! Have some chamomile if you can't sleep. 👌 7y
57 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LibrarianRyan
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My treat to myself Friday night. The wonder pouch was on clearance at BN. They rarely even @outofprint so this was a great find on clearance. I find it annoying that most BN employees around here have no idea what Out of Print is, even when held in front of their face. #bookhaul

Graciouswarriorprincess Cool! I don't think it's on sale at my B&N. I will have to check. 7y
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LibrarianRyan @Graciouswarriorprincess it was in the clearance bins. It ended up being $10 usd 7y
Graciouswarriorprincess @LibrarianRyan Thank you. I bought one today.👍🏻😃 7y
LibrarianRyan @Graciouswarriorprincess yeahhhhhhh👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 7y
Suetara Thanks for the heads up on the pouches! My local B&N had 2 left, and now I have 2 happy daughters. 😊 7y
LibrarianRyan @Suetara that's cool. I bought a second one as well. 7y
64 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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mylifeinbooks23
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Another book I bought this week. The cover stood out because it's 😍😍😍 but it sounds interesting so I hope I like it. I have no idea when I'll get around to reading it though.

9 likes1 stack add3 comments
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love2dazzle
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I love how intense the purple came out in this shot.
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I hope everyone is having a lovely day. It is so hot out today and of course I'm spending the whole day at an outside event.
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I did bring my kindle so hopefully sometime today I can find some shade and cool down and relax a bit.
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Candle is by @Mugglelibrarycandles #booksandflowers #booksandcandles #booknerd #yalit #booklover #bookworm #bookaddict #ireadya #bookish #pnwreaders

8 likes1 stack add
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BookishMarginalia
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GatheringBooks oooh! love book maps! 7y
aeeklund Ooooooo! I read this as an ARC and it didn't have the map in it! I love this book. 7y
ferskner Oh wow, I have a digital copy, but clearly need print! 7y
See All 6 Comments
RealBooks4ever Ok, now I HAVE to own this book! 😻 7y
DrexEdit Love love love a good book map. Having had to work with cartographers on occasion for the books I work on makes the end result always so impressive. #hugacartographer 😊💕 7y
kathyellendavis This book is amazing. Can't wait for the next one! 7y
180 likes6 stack adds6 comments
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BookishMarginalia
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On my goodness! So excited to find the new book by the author of Bone Gap! And it's the start of a fantasy series! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 #LaurenRuby

Sassy_Steph I saw this book at work and it intrigues me!! 7y
RealBooks4ever Love that cover! 💜 7y
Librariana First I'm hearing about it! Thank you for sharing! 7y
See All 7 Comments
alleyfam51699 That cover is gorgeous!! 7y
minkyb Great post! 7y
MinetteLauren What a great cover! 7y
Sassy_Steph This book caught my eye at work! It's on my list!! 7y
152 likes16 stack adds7 comments
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Booksblanketsandahotbeverage
This post contains spoilers
show me
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Love my Owlcrate Jr for June.

TEArificbooks We love ours too, the nano bug may be a new favorite toy 7y
4 likes1 comment
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Bookgoil
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Pickpick

Loved this book so much! Definitely a series I will be recommending to my higher readers next school year. Full of mystery and adventure!

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abbylibrarian
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A gorgeous day for some #hammockreading #middlegrademay

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TracyReadsBooks
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Pickpick

I love stories when the author takes something familiar and peels back a layer to reveal something surprising or unexpected or fantastical underneath. In York, Ruby imagines a magical NYC. Shaped by the eccentric dreams of a brother & sister and the cipher they left behind, the city is home to three intrepid kids who must solve a mystery to save their home and more. Adventure, creepy bad guys, a treasure hunt & more make this a great read.

JazzFeathers That cover is enough to grab me 😍 7y
3 likes1 stack add1 comment
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TracyReadsBooks
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This weekend's reading is an MG from Laura Ruby. A couple of chapters in and so far, Mr. Pincher and Mr. Stoop are totally channeling Mister Croup and Mister Vandemar (from Neverwhere) and I really hope this is a thing. Seriously, I want this to be a thing. Even if it isn't, I'm really enjoying the book.