Silver Vessels

Gr 6-8–Josh, Hope, and Hunter embark on a trip to Florida to spend the summer with Grandpa Matt and his husband, which covers up their actual plan to go treasure-hunting, unbeknownst to any of the adults in their lives. While there, they are discovered by a secret society of nefarious super villains called The Apex who enlist the vacationers on adventurous missions to find the lost Silver Vessels. These strange misadventures include a foray through a museum diorama that comes to life (similar to Night at the Museum), an undersea shipwreck dive with no scuba gear, and cave-diving with dinosaurs who somehow flourish underground. With The Apex on their heels, and a blossoming love triangle, Josh struggles to keep their adventures hidden from his family, while Hope and Hunter reveal they are both questioning their sexuality and places on the gender spectrum. The teens, who are referred to as “tiny explorers,” are described as college-bound high school students, but are portrayed as much younger and smaller in appearance, and the dialogue is not always authentic to the suggested age. The writing can get formulaic and there are some lackluster humor and gags. While the characters are diverse and resources for LGBTQIA+ youth are included, the secret treasure hunt feels forced, and seems to be simply a vehicle for bringing the characters together to reveal issues of sexual orientation.