Book One Synopsis

Ben Webster dreams of two things, making the basketball team and joining his globe trotting uncle, Henry, on a world expedition. But he faces two obstacles. He can’t play basketball, and his parents won’t let him tag along with Henry.

Ben’s life soon changes. After months of practice, his skills on the court miraculously improve and he’s a contender for the team roster. It is then his uncle arrives on the heels of a raging storm and announces a challenge of his own. A digital game that involves tracking down ancient tribal artifacts hidden around the world. If Ben completes the game in seven days, he’ll earn the adventure of a lifetime: a place on his uncle’s final expedition.

Ecstatic, Ben digs in only to be stuck on the first challenge, a hieroglyphic password. Once solved, the puzzles become more complex and he’s forced to enlist his neighborhood friends — Grace Choeden and Carlos Lopez — for help. But it also means including his arch nemeses, Serise Hightower – an extraordinary hacker, and his sister April. Together the five rush to decipher the clues and avoid booby traps only to be blocked at every turn by their own parents. Working in secret, they soon discover the game points to an even bigger mystery and leads to a devastating discovery about the true nature of the family business.

…..Be careful what you wish for.