Flip the Silver Switch had a great premise that unfortunately didn’t hit the mark. The writing didn’t grip me. I didn’t love the characters enough to keep me interested. I liked the concept of this book but the execution wasn’t there for me.

This was a cute Middle Grade book and the series is definitely one I will continue. The futuristic setting gave a great backdrop to a fun story.

This is a second book in a series. I didn't get to read the first book, before Netgalley let me read this one. I would recommend reading one before jumping into book two. This book doesn't stand on it's own all the way. However, the author does reintroduce the characters, which is helpful!


I like most of the science in the book, and it's not too technical. It was cool how each of the subjects and interests were put together. The characters are interesting and funny. They are a cute group of friends, working to solve problems together. A middle grade reader or even younger would enjoy this book a lot I believe. 3 out of 5 stars.

I actually didn't know this was the second book in the series. Which led to confusion but after a few chapters I got over it. This is a pretty interesting middle grade book with an interesting premise. I did have a few problems with it and was confused at certain points but that didn't hinder my overall experience. 3 stars for me!

I was very happy to learn there was another book with the Crimson Five, since I enjoyed Spin the Golden Light Bulb so much.

Kia and the rest of the Crimson Five are of to the Piedmont Challenge Global Championships, where if they place well their invention will be developed, making the stakes even higher. Then they learn they have even more to do than they initially thought. It's good they have new tasks, because that is where the team and the narrative excel at being inventive (pun intended).

I love the group's dynamics, as the importance and power of friendship is emphasized again. Patience is a virtue and must be practiced, even if you don't understand someone else's point of view. And let us not forget teamwork.

Not sure how I feel about the return of the principal. His meddling at the beginning is just distracting. Only later does it make sense.

Sweet, charming, the author's creativity soaring again with the plethora of all the gadgets, humorous names & activities etc, gifting you with childlike enthusiasm. This book is not only extremely entertaining, but also inspiring.

I liked the subtlety of the messages behind "Flip the Silver Switch" and how The Crimson Five brought out the best in each other through teamwork to compete in the Piedmont Global Championships. Great read for Middle Grade and Young Adult readers!

In this dystopia middle-school book, the Piedmont Company controls how all children, worldwide learn in the schools. The story is set 53 years in the future. Children all learn the same basic subjects, again, worldwide, and when they get into sixth grade, they will have to concentrate on one subject, only, to prepare themselves to enter the workforce.

But, if they win the Piedmont Challenge, they will be allowed to study all subjects, and be much more well-rounded people.

There is a sinister undertone to these books, this is the second in the series, that the Piedmont Company is up to something, but we never learn what that is, at least not in the last book, or the second book in the series.

Kia is an ok protagonist, but she is so unsure of herself that it drives me crazy. She was unsure of herself in the last book, as well, so no surprises there. And like the first book, this lack of confidence drives me crazy until we get to the meat of the story, about 60-70% into the book, where things start to happen.

The book stresses the importance of being well-rounded, and how kids have to work together to solve problems, and how some problems have to be thought of from a different angle in order to solve them. I sort of wish we had seen more of the puzzles the kids had to solve.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.