Mission New York: A Scavenger Hunt Adventure (For Kids)

Great concept, but the small serif font, faint print, busy pages, mission tasks, and info details would be best for older kids. I'd say at least 4th or 5th grade and up. Also, check the Table of Contents to confirm you'll be going to the featured places - and spending enough time at them to go through all the parts necessary to find the scavenger hunt items! (I didn't think that through.) The layout, appearance, and missions would have overwhelmed and frustrated our 8yo. For younger kids, I'd recommend Kid's Travel Journal New York City by Jeff Sechler. I'm assigning 4 stars because it's not for all ages as described and because regardless of user's age, I think the print is too faint (although older kids may not care about that).

My kids and I live in NYC. We are so excited to visit these sites with a new lens. It's a great way to learn about NY history and feel like a spy! The kids even get a certificate once you complete the mission! Any age can use this book!

Nothing wrong with the book but too advanced for my students,

I was very happy to see a Mission held in the city I grew up in!As in her other Mission books the author makes visiting a city with children a real learning as well as fun experience In order to gain points for meriting a Secret Agent certificate, it is recommended that the participants, “play tourist” so that that they can gather information while blending in with the surroundings. The many activities are creative and keep the promising Secret Agent on his toes. I have always adored the Metropolitan Museum of Art and so I found it really wonderful for having the agents search out certain famous paintings. But not only. They are told to give a critical eye on these works and even compare them. This to me is a fantastic method for having young people use their intelligence and their capacity to express their opinions. It’s a learning tool they will be helpful all through their schooling. Discovering that there actually existed a “James Bond” and finding out his name (William Stephenson), was probably a surprise to many. His nickname was Intrepid which shows he was considered fearless and this was exactly why Iam Fleming chose him to create James Bond! Children of all ages will enjoy this book as it takes them to places that stimulate their imagination and leaves them will many happy memories of a trip they will surely never forget.

This was given to me as a gift and I love it! Since I work with the global population, I am always looking for tools that will support them as they move around the world. Mission, New York is perfect because so many families sooner or later take a trip to New York. I liked how the Special Agents were given details on what to do but the Case Officers (grownups) were also involved so it would be perfect for a family vacation. Because Aragon suggests you do a variety of things in the unique locations, it really is a game. It helps build excitement when you know you will be "snapping your photo in front of the Moai Model".I can see this being a great tool for a tri-generational vacation or if you family is lucky enough to move to New York City - What do you do when Grandma and Grandpa come to visit? I'd send my kids off with them to the Museum of Natural History to complete the mission. The stroll through Central Park might be perfect for some families.Because I do work with people that have lived all over the world, I really liked the suggestions for the two million square feet of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The three exhibits of foreign countries could convince someone that your Special Agent has been to China, Egypt or Morocco. I also think the threesome of Dali, Warhol and Picasso causes the kids to be learning while they are on vacation or at the Museum of Art. It was nice to see that Grand Central Terminal and the Brooklyn Bridge were even learning spaces. Sometimes when kids go on school trips they learn so much more than when they go on trips with their parents. That was before parents could get a tool like this one. Aragon has done all the hard work, all you need to do is follow her plan.Who won't want to search for a smiling food cart vendor in New York City?

Catherine Aragon is inveterate traveler and obviously loves exploring every city she visits intensely to discover ALL of the secrets and sights she can possible uncover. Now she has created a series of book that make traveling a game of thrills and learning for youngsters (an oldsters new to that destination) - and a learning experience at the same time. The Scavenger Hunt Adventure series takes young travelers through the famous sights of cities, engaging them with exciting scavenger hunt activities as you discover city landmarks together. She adds an element of intrigue and mystery and detective work that children will love.She opens with a document from the SIA (Secret International Agency) that secretly collects intelligence in all corners of the globe and this is an announcement that you the reader have been selected as a Special Agent. All is arranged in a task force/training environment for fun, but the fun comes with seeing the sights and learning about them. Sheets with questions and points for answering the questions correctly are part of the packet. Photographs supplied are splendid - many few of us have ever seen!Briefly the New York Mission consists of a Pre-Arrival Brief and then goes on to explore all aspects of the Museum of Natural History, Central Park, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Museum of Modern Art, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Terminal. Empire State vs Top of the Rock, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of liberty, Ellis Island Museum, Sights of NYC (including foods and funky places and people), and Anytime Missions.This is one great idea for learning about other places and a travel guide children will love. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, April 15

I can only describe this book as amazing! If the other books in this series are anything like this one, then Catherine Aragon has written something that everyone, kids and parents, will enjoy. It really is a winner. It has excitement, intrigue, games, observation, education, you name it, I'm sure any kid will love it.If only I'd had this book when I visited New York four years ago, I would never have worried about getting lost. Who would have thought about looking at a lamp post? Not me that's for sure, but this book tells you exactly how to use the ones in Central Park. That's just one of many fascinating topics.So choose for yourself, do you want to hear your kids saying, "Is that it? Can we go home now? I'm bored..." Or do you want them to be involved, excited and having FUN! I know what I'd want - go get it! I thoroughly recommend it.

A really fun guide book alternative which gives sightseeing a purpose. Not to big either so it's easy to complete it on a average duration holiday. Thumbs up :)