Impossible Creatures
Katherine Rundell
Both books explore Juvenile Fiction
The Curse Breaker
by Jen Calonita
A brisk middle-grade sequel mixing pirate treasure, an ancestor's coded diary, and kids out of time, built for readers who want puzzles, friendship drama, and a ticking clock.
What It's About
The Curse Breaker continues the story of Everly "Benny" Benedict, a girl who has followed a trail of clues left by her ancestor Evelyn Terry and reached the mysterious Isle of Ever. Winning that first game turns out not to be the end. The island's young inhabitants are still bound by a centuries-old curse, and Benny learns she must track down a missing piece of pirate treasure to free them before a deadline runs out. If she fails, her inheritance could pass to someone else and the island could vanish for another two centuries.
The book layers several threads together: decoding more of Evelyn's diary, dealing with a friend who has broken her trust, helping the island kids cope with modern life in present-day Greenport, and working out who a stranger from the diary really is. Expect short, fast-moving chapters, a tight countdown, and a steady supply of reveals rather than slow atmosphere.
Reading it feels like a treasure hunt adventure with a strong emotional core about loyalty and family history. The fish-out-of-water moments as centuries-old kids meet smartphones and current customs add humor between the puzzle-solving. Because this is a sequel, it works best if you have read the first Benny book; the plot picks up directly from where that story leaves off and leans on characters and stakes already established.
Read this if you…
- enjoyed the first Benny Benedict adventure and want to know what happens next
- love treasure hunts, coded diaries, and race-against-the-clock plots
- like middle-grade mysteries with friendship drama and a touch of humor
Skip it if you…
- haven't read the first book and dislike starting a series in the middle
- want a slow, richly atmospheric fantasy rather than a fast puzzle-driven romp
Key Ideas
- 1
A second game after the first
The story's engine is that solving one mystery opens another. Benny assumed reaching the island meant victory, but her ancestor's diary holds further tasks. This structure keeps the momentum high and suits readers who enjoy chained clues, where each answer points to a new question and the stakes grow as the deadline gets closer.
- 2
Friendship tested by betrayal
One of Benny's close friends has let her down, and the book spends real time on how that feels and what trust means afterward. For young readers, this gives the adventure an emotional layer: winning the treasure hunt matters, but so does figuring out who is truly on your side and whether people can make things right.
- 3
Kids out of their own time
The island children have been trapped for centuries and now face twenty-first-century life. Their reactions provide comedy, but also a gentle look at how strange ordinary modern things can seem from outside. It lets the book balance tension with lighter scenes and gives the side characters their own small arcs.
- 4
Family history as a living mystery
Evelyn Terry's diary connects Benny to an ancestor whose choices still shape the present. The book treats family records and local history as something exciting to dig into, encouraging the idea that the past is full of secrets worth uncovering, especially in a real seaside town like Greenport.
Limitations
As a direct sequel, the book does little to catch up new readers, so starting here can be confusing. The pacing favors quick reveals over depth, and some adult or older teen readers may find the clues and twists easy to anticipate. The pirate-curse premise is familiar territory for the genre, and the modern-day culture-shock humor is light rather than probing. Readers wanting complex worldbuilding or a darker tone may find it slight, though its intended middle-grade audience is likely to enjoy the brisk, accessible style.
Questions Readers Ask
- Do I need to read the first book before The Curse Breaker?
- Yes, ideally. The story picks up right after Benny reaches the Isle of Ever and relies on characters, relationships, and the clue game set up earlier. A determined reader could follow along, but the betrayal and the curse will land much better with the first book's background.
- What age is The Curse Breaker best for?
- It is written for middle-grade readers, roughly ages 8 to 12. The vocabulary is accessible, chapters move quickly, and the conflicts center on friendship, family, and a mystery rather than anything frightening or mature, making it a good fit for independent readers and family read-alouds alike.
- Is it similar to Jen Calonita's Fairy Tale Reform School books?
- It shares her light, upbeat voice and focus on friendship, but this series swaps fairy-tale fantasy for a treasure-hunt mystery rooted in a real Long Island town, pirate legend, and an ancestor's diary. Fans of puzzle-driven adventures may prefer this one.
- Published
- 2026
- ISBN
- 9781728277066
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Category
- Children's Books
Book details and cover from Google Books.
Ready to read The Curse Breaker?
Get your copy on Amazon, or listen to it on Audible. We earn a commission if you buy through these links.
You Might Also Like
Under Their Skin
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Both books explore Juvenile Fiction
Pocket Bear
Katherine Applegate
Another excellent Juvenile Fiction for readers interested in this subject
Better Than a Touchdown
Jalen Hurts
Both books explore Juvenile Fiction