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The Red Rock Mysteries #9
Instant Menace
When eighth grade begins, twins Ashley and Bryce get caught up in investigating why their principal left under mysterious circumstances, even as they struggle to get along with his replacement, who seems to be out to get them.
256 pages, Paperback
First published February 3, 2006
10 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Jerry B. Jenkins
579Ìýbooks1,686ÌýfollowersJerry Bruce Jenkins is an American novelist and biographer. He is best known as the writer of the Left Behind series of books for Tim LaHaye and The Chosen novels to accompany his son Dallas's TV series. Jenkins has written more than 200 books, including mysteries, historical fiction, biblical fiction, cop thrillers, international spy thrillers, and children's adventures, as well as nonfiction. His works usually feature Christians as protagonists. In 2005, Jenkins and LaHaye ranked 9th in 10th Anniversary list of Hall of Fame authors based on books sold at during its first 10 years. Jenkins now teaches writers to become authors at his website. He and his wife Dianna have three sons and eight grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 2, 2017
I couldn't decide weather to give it two or three stars, I decided on two because while the story was okay and there wasn't anything horrible in it I didn't enjoy any of the character development. Bryce likes this new girl at the school who is adamantly against Christianity and shes never nice to him so I can't even see what he likes in her. Also they get a new principle at the school and he seems unnecessarily hard on the kids, even for storys sake.
I'm liking this seres less and less.
I'm liking this seres less and less.
March 13, 2009
This book made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up a couple times. The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it seemed to end too fast.
May 27, 2023
Number of pages: 234
Genre: Children’s fiction/Mystery
Series: Red Rock Mysteries #9 (must be read in order)
Age recommendation: 9-13
Summary: When Ashley and Bryce start eighth grade, they were not expecting so many changes. First, their old principal is no longer working there, but has been dismissed from his job under strange circumstances. Then, Bryce is switched off Ashley’s team at school, and Ashley is stuck dealing with the school bully on her own. Finally, Bryce encounters internet threats� will the twins survive eighth grade?
My thoughts: This book is really sad. How can they take away the sign on Jeff’s climbing wall? Other than being a quote from the Bible, saying that friends stick by each other and help each other out, it has no religious connotation. I think it’s awful that they desecrated Jeff’s wall; they have no respect for the dead.
I also don’t understand what Mr. Bookman’s problem is. Why does he decide to take out all his anger and insecurities on Bryce? It felt to me like he treated everyone as if they were not worthy of his time, respect or explanations. He acts like everyone should just bow down to him and let him get on with more important things. It’s not how a good principal would act. Besides that, the old principal Mr. Forester is so nice� it’s sad that he is taken out of his role as a principal of the middle school.
I could totally relate to Bruce’s struggles at witnessing. Well, not totally I guess. because I’ve never had a crush on the outspoken atheist/agnostic person in my class. (Also, why does Bryce have a crush on Lynnette? She’s rude and opinionated, and obviously has no respect for his beliefs). I do understand though, not wanting everyone to think of you as a weird Jesus Freak or something � partially because it is embarrassing to be singled out and also because it limits witnessing opportunities if no one respects you. It is also very hard to find the balance between sticking up for your beliefs and also being kind and considerate of others. In the middle of an argument, we can get so caught up in winning our little debate that we forget we’re talking to another person who doesn’t know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. They need Him too, and if we aren’t careful with our words, we could put them off from ever accepting the Truth.
I think it’s kind of funny how Boo starts helping the Timberlines in this book. They’re not quite friends yet, but they’re working out some of their differences (or at least putting them to the side for the time being).
My personal rating: 3/5 stars.
Link to blog:
Genre: Children’s fiction/Mystery
Series: Red Rock Mysteries #9 (must be read in order)
Age recommendation: 9-13
Summary: When Ashley and Bryce start eighth grade, they were not expecting so many changes. First, their old principal is no longer working there, but has been dismissed from his job under strange circumstances. Then, Bryce is switched off Ashley’s team at school, and Ashley is stuck dealing with the school bully on her own. Finally, Bryce encounters internet threats� will the twins survive eighth grade?
My thoughts: This book is really sad. How can they take away the sign on Jeff’s climbing wall? Other than being a quote from the Bible, saying that friends stick by each other and help each other out, it has no religious connotation. I think it’s awful that they desecrated Jeff’s wall; they have no respect for the dead.
I also don’t understand what Mr. Bookman’s problem is. Why does he decide to take out all his anger and insecurities on Bryce? It felt to me like he treated everyone as if they were not worthy of his time, respect or explanations. He acts like everyone should just bow down to him and let him get on with more important things. It’s not how a good principal would act. Besides that, the old principal Mr. Forester is so nice� it’s sad that he is taken out of his role as a principal of the middle school.
I could totally relate to Bruce’s struggles at witnessing. Well, not totally I guess. because I’ve never had a crush on the outspoken atheist/agnostic person in my class. (Also, why does Bryce have a crush on Lynnette? She’s rude and opinionated, and obviously has no respect for his beliefs). I do understand though, not wanting everyone to think of you as a weird Jesus Freak or something � partially because it is embarrassing to be singled out and also because it limits witnessing opportunities if no one respects you. It is also very hard to find the balance between sticking up for your beliefs and also being kind and considerate of others. In the middle of an argument, we can get so caught up in winning our little debate that we forget we’re talking to another person who doesn’t know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. They need Him too, and if we aren’t careful with our words, we could put them off from ever accepting the Truth.
I think it’s kind of funny how Boo starts helping the Timberlines in this book. They’re not quite friends yet, but they’re working out some of their differences (or at least putting them to the side for the time being).
My personal rating: 3/5 stars.
Link to blog:
February 20, 2021
Eighth grade is supposed to be the best year in middle school, but after the new principal takes away the most fun thing in their lives, things get bad. Bryce encounters Internet threats, Ashley is stuck with the school bully, and they suddenly find themselves separated.
I've enjoyed this series. Bryce and Ashley are great characters and winners. Tension in middle school with the new principal and a bully. Excellent plot.
I've enjoyed this series. Bryce and Ashley are great characters and winners. Tension in middle school with the new principal and a bully. Excellent plot.
August 16, 2011
I just finished reading Instance Menace by Jerry B Jenkins and Chris Fabry. This is a mystery geared towards pre-teens and teenagers.
Bryce and Ashley are twins, and they are Christian sleuths. If there's a mystery, they are going to get to the bottom of it! This is the first book of the series I have read, so it makes a great stand-alone book as well, although I'm sure the other books would be good as well.
In Instant Menace, Bryce and Ashley are separated at school by the new principal. The last principal thought they would do well together after their dad died in a plane crash, but the new principal thinks it's best they are separated. And why did the last principal, Mr. Forster, leave?
First day of school brings enough changes, but then a teacher's prized coins go missing from a locked cabinet. Who took those? And does it have anything to do with Mr. Forster?
The 8th grade class is split into "teams" to come up with a community project. The Red Team decides to create a secret chat room. Bryce is turned into the principal because of threats he made to another student in the chat room. Only Bryce says he didn't make them.
Being the mystery-solvers they are, Bryce and Ashley find a clue which solves the entire mystery.
I really enjoyed this book. I'm not the targeted age but it was a great read and I think anyone in the targeted age range, boy or girl, would enjoy this!
Bryce and Ashley are twins, and they are Christian sleuths. If there's a mystery, they are going to get to the bottom of it! This is the first book of the series I have read, so it makes a great stand-alone book as well, although I'm sure the other books would be good as well.
In Instant Menace, Bryce and Ashley are separated at school by the new principal. The last principal thought they would do well together after their dad died in a plane crash, but the new principal thinks it's best they are separated. And why did the last principal, Mr. Forster, leave?
First day of school brings enough changes, but then a teacher's prized coins go missing from a locked cabinet. Who took those? And does it have anything to do with Mr. Forster?
The 8th grade class is split into "teams" to come up with a community project. The Red Team decides to create a secret chat room. Bryce is turned into the principal because of threats he made to another student in the chat room. Only Bryce says he didn't make them.
Being the mystery-solvers they are, Bryce and Ashley find a clue which solves the entire mystery.
I really enjoyed this book. I'm not the targeted age but it was a great read and I think anyone in the targeted age range, boy or girl, would enjoy this!
June 20, 2011
RED ROCK MYSTERIES: INSTANT MENACE #9
By Jerry B. Jenkins and Chris Fabry
Eighth grade brings new challenges and surprises for twins Ashley and Bryce. Mr. Foster is no longer the principal and has been accused of various crimes. Bryce and Ashley don’t believe the accusations, but when the new principal separates them their investigation is stymied.
With chat-room threats and lessons in Separation of Church and State eighth grade becomes a lesson in real life. Will Ashley and Bryce make the grade?
Prepare a mystery of untold menace!
By Jerry B. Jenkins and Chris Fabry
Eighth grade brings new challenges and surprises for twins Ashley and Bryce. Mr. Foster is no longer the principal and has been accused of various crimes. Bryce and Ashley don’t believe the accusations, but when the new principal separates them their investigation is stymied.
With chat-room threats and lessons in Separation of Church and State eighth grade becomes a lesson in real life. Will Ashley and Bryce make the grade?
Prepare a mystery of untold menace!
March 15, 2015
I'm particularly fond of this series because I would read them aloud with my sister. I think I connected to the books because the siblings in it shared a bond like the one I shared with my sister. Their relationship was so real! We would spend half as much time laughing as we did reading! We would stay up late at night to finish these books. That was when Mom worked night shift, so we didn't have to worry about waking anyone with our laugher. I wish I could live those times over again!!
September 24, 2008
this is a really good book...it kept me reading! it deals with bullying (on the internet) and it was just really good!
Read
July 8, 2010this book was awesome mr forster is an innocent guy and that jeuvi center helped boo im glad the twins became friends again
Read
August 8, 2012Good read, especially for tweens & teens.
February 11, 2014
I like this whole series. This one deals with some discussion in the classroom & school between non believers and believers. Interesting & handled well.
October 6, 2014
I liked this book. It is fun to read about Bryce's and Ashley's mystery-solving abilities, and their interactions with their friends/classmates.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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