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The Coin Slot Chronicles #1
Arcade and the Triple T Token
In Arcade and the Triple T Token, eleven-year-old Arcade Livingston has a problem. Several, actually. The Tolley twins, a.k.a. neighborhood bullies, are making Arcade’s move to a new city even harder than it needs to be. They expect him to do their research papers and interactive displays for the sixth-grade career expo’s theme: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Besides doing their work, Arcade doesn’t even know his own answer to that question.
While at the library—Arcade’s favorite place to chill—a mysterious old woman gives him a golden arcade token that grants him a unique gift. A gift that allows him to time travel between different places including his own future. From sitting in the dugout with Babe Ruth, to hanging on to the back of a bucking bull, to performing life-saving surgery on a dog, Arcade has no shortage of adventure! Together with his older sister, Zoe, Arcade explores life’s biggest thrills and challenges, and the two also have a big mystery to solve. Who is the rightful owner of the incredible Triple T Token that leads to such astounding adventures?
Arcade’s circle of friends begins to widen as the Triple T Token hangs from his neck. Pulsing. Beckoning another adventure. The question for Arcade, Zoe, and their new friends is no longer, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s, “Where will we go next?”
While at the library—Arcade’s favorite place to chill—a mysterious old woman gives him a golden arcade token that grants him a unique gift. A gift that allows him to time travel between different places including his own future. From sitting in the dugout with Babe Ruth, to hanging on to the back of a bucking bull, to performing life-saving surgery on a dog, Arcade has no shortage of adventure! Together with his older sister, Zoe, Arcade explores life’s biggest thrills and challenges, and the two also have a big mystery to solve. Who is the rightful owner of the incredible Triple T Token that leads to such astounding adventures?
Arcade’s circle of friends begins to widen as the Triple T Token hangs from his neck. Pulsing. Beckoning another adventure. The question for Arcade, Zoe, and their new friends is no longer, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s, “Where will we go next?”
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
31 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Rashad Jennings
12 books11 followersNew York Times bestselling author and retired NFL running back Rashad Jennings is an impactful influencer, inspirational speaker, and nationally recognized personality. Throughout his successful eight-year career in the NFL, as well as during his championship-winning Season 24 Dancing with the Stars, Rashad gained the love and support of fans throughout the country. Today, Rashad is driven to make a national impact and lasting legacy through The Rashad Jennings Foundation, established in 2013. This award-winning foundation is dedicated to inspiring youth through the foundation’s Flagship Literacy program which is currently successfully implemented in 12 of the 32 NFL cities, in addition to providing mentorship and promoting health and fitness nationwide. Rashad has also authored The If In Life: How to Get Off Life’s Sidelines and Become Your Best Self. Follow Rashad on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
December 25, 2020
Thank you so much to MsWOCReader and Deidra for putting me on to this new series! It's so fun and interesting
This was an awesome new middle grade find. Arcade and the Triple T Token focuses on a main character named Arcade as he navigates his new school after he moves to New York. While spending time in the library, an elderly lady approaches him and gives him a token. This token ends up being a magical item that takes Arcade and his friends on lots of different journeys closely related to the events happening at school. This adventures involve time travel in which Arcade and his friends see different events from the past as well as future timelines of their lives.
One of my favorite elements of this book was the friendships. I was that kid that moved schools quite a bit (I went to three different middle schools, one for each year) so I definitely related to Arcade's want to be home with friends he knew and already had as well as the difficulty that comes with making new friends. I was excited to see him able to make new friends and continue to have those relationships even with the powers of the token coming into play. While Arcade does make some friends, there is bullying that takes place on page with two other characters. I was truly fascinated with his ability to handle the bullies and the request (more like demands) for him to complete their school project.
This novel is fast paced and definitely a great starting point for a new and exciting series. There is a great balance of friendship, family, and adventure. Plus readers get to see a lot of library love. Arcade loves to read and spends a great deal of time at the library. If you're looking for a new middle grade series, I would definitely recommend checking this out.
This was an awesome new middle grade find. Arcade and the Triple T Token focuses on a main character named Arcade as he navigates his new school after he moves to New York. While spending time in the library, an elderly lady approaches him and gives him a token. This token ends up being a magical item that takes Arcade and his friends on lots of different journeys closely related to the events happening at school. This adventures involve time travel in which Arcade and his friends see different events from the past as well as future timelines of their lives.
One of my favorite elements of this book was the friendships. I was that kid that moved schools quite a bit (I went to three different middle schools, one for each year) so I definitely related to Arcade's want to be home with friends he knew and already had as well as the difficulty that comes with making new friends. I was excited to see him able to make new friends and continue to have those relationships even with the powers of the token coming into play. While Arcade does make some friends, there is bullying that takes place on page with two other characters. I was truly fascinated with his ability to handle the bullies and the request (more like demands) for him to complete their school project.
This novel is fast paced and definitely a great starting point for a new and exciting series. There is a great balance of friendship, family, and adventure. Plus readers get to see a lot of library love. Arcade loves to read and spends a great deal of time at the library. If you're looking for a new middle grade series, I would definitely recommend checking this out.
December 20, 2019
More like 3.5⭐ but I rounded up.
TBH I only stood in line to get this at BookCon because I wanted to meet the former NFL running back lol.
Turns out he wrote an amusing middle grade.
Who knew?!
The story is original, exciting and has some great morals included.
The writing could use some polishing (felt hurried at times) and I'm sure as this series progresses he will likely develop his own panache.
For now...just a quick and easy adventure.
TBH I only stood in line to get this at BookCon because I wanted to meet the former NFL running back lol.
Turns out he wrote an amusing middle grade.
Who knew?!
The story is original, exciting and has some great morals included.
The writing could use some polishing (felt hurried at times) and I'm sure as this series progresses he will likely develop his own panache.
For now...just a quick and easy adventure.
December 22, 2020
Just wow. Another late in the year fave pulling up! So I teared up a little in the middle of this short middle grade book. Not because it was sad...there was nothing sad about this book. I teared up at how much fun this was! And the family dynamics were excellent! And the friendships that developed! There is a mild CW for some bullying. But nothing too extreme considering how mean kids can be. Mostly just name calling and threats of violence for the record. Anyway, what are words? I don't have them to properly articulate my level of enjoyment. The best part is that Arcade is a book nerd and his adventure largely takes place in a library or surrounding books! My bookish heart could barely take it! Pick this up if you enjoy middle grade at all. I read it all via audiobook borrowed from hoopla and the narrator was great!
July 22, 2022
This is a fun middle grade series about a boy named Arcade who has recently moved to New York. He's having trouble adjusting to his new neighborhood and school while also dealing with bullies. One day while at the public library a woman gives him an arcade token that allows him to time travel.
I enjoyed the adventures and liked following Arcade just being a kid dealing with making friends. Finding out where you fit in is never easy. I also liked that there's a little bit of Christianity sprinkled in to this because many of us do grow up in religious households. Reading this reminded me of listening to Adventures in Odyssey at that age.
This is also fast-paced and easy to read which is a bonus for that age group.
I enjoyed the adventures and liked following Arcade just being a kid dealing with making friends. Finding out where you fit in is never easy. I also liked that there's a little bit of Christianity sprinkled in to this because many of us do grow up in religious households. Reading this reminded me of listening to Adventures in Odyssey at that age.
This is also fast-paced and easy to read which is a bonus for that age group.
April 18, 2021
This was absolutely amazing. I enjoyed the ride with Arcade, Zoe and his friends. I loved the use of scripture and how Rashad created such a fun story all about spiritual warfare. This was a fun read. I also loved how I related to Arcade as a book nerd. This was fun and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I will also read this with my son for sure.
February 23, 2019
Don't let doubts steal your identity.
Eleven-year-old Arcade Livingston is new to the Big Apple and his new school. Twin bullies are trying to force Arcade into doing their research projects about their future careers. On top of that, Arcade is stuck on his own project, having no idea what he wants to be when he grows up. But with a golden arcade token that gives him the power to travel to different places in time, he may be able to gain a new perspective in Arcade and the Triple T Token by author Rashad Jennings.
I became a fan of Arcade pretty much right off the bat. He's a tremendous bookworm with a great sense of humor, and he even had me laughing out loud at times. But, of course, this tale isn't one of empty fun and games. Meaningful little nuggets of wisdom are scattered throughout Arcade's adventure—pretty awesome nuggets that eventually come together.
And the story's handling of the bullies isn't exactly what I would've expected, which is great!
Now, different parts here and there were a bit slow for me. The novel ends with a main resolution but some unanswered questions and a cliffhanger. Also, there are a few recurring punctuation errors connecting the dialogue to action beats, which gives me a little extra concern for young readers who'll still be new to learning proper punctuation.
Nevertheless, this entertaining novel with likable characters and an inspiring message certainly has me anticipating the next book in The Coin Slot Chronicles.
_________
BookLook Bloggers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
Eleven-year-old Arcade Livingston is new to the Big Apple and his new school. Twin bullies are trying to force Arcade into doing their research projects about their future careers. On top of that, Arcade is stuck on his own project, having no idea what he wants to be when he grows up. But with a golden arcade token that gives him the power to travel to different places in time, he may be able to gain a new perspective in Arcade and the Triple T Token by author Rashad Jennings.
I became a fan of Arcade pretty much right off the bat. He's a tremendous bookworm with a great sense of humor, and he even had me laughing out loud at times. But, of course, this tale isn't one of empty fun and games. Meaningful little nuggets of wisdom are scattered throughout Arcade's adventure—pretty awesome nuggets that eventually come together.
And the story's handling of the bullies isn't exactly what I would've expected, which is great!
Now, different parts here and there were a bit slow for me. The novel ends with a main resolution but some unanswered questions and a cliffhanger. Also, there are a few recurring punctuation errors connecting the dialogue to action beats, which gives me a little extra concern for young readers who'll still be new to learning proper punctuation.
Nevertheless, this entertaining novel with likable characters and an inspiring message certainly has me anticipating the next book in The Coin Slot Chronicles.
_________
BookLook Bloggers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
May 14, 2019
**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
About the Book:
The Coin Slot Chronicles series, by former NFL running back and Dancing with the Stars champion Rashad Jennings, is a humorous and imaginative series that explores the power of friendship and imagination, the challenges in finding your place, and the reality of missing home.
Eleven-year-old Arcade Livingston has a problem. Several, actually. The Tolley twins, a.k.a. neighborhood bullies, are making Arcade’s move to a new city even harder than it needs to be. They expect him to do their research papers and interactive displays for the sixth-grade career expo’s theme: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Besides doing their work, Arcade doesn’t even know his own answer to that question.
Then at the library—Arcade’s favorite place to chill—a mysterious old woman gives him a golden arcade token that grants him a unique gift. A gift that allows him to time travel between different places including his own future. From sitting in the dugout with Babe Ruth, to hanging on to the back of a bucking bull, to performing life-saving surgery on a dog, Arcade has no shortage of adventure! Together with his older sister, Zoe, Arcade explores life’s biggest thrills and challenges, and the two also have a big mystery to solve. Who is the rightful owner of the incredible Triple T Token that leads to such astounding adventures?
Arcade’s circle of friends begins to widen as the Triple T Token hangs from his neck. Pulsing. Beckoning another adventure. The question for Arcade, Zoe, and their new friends is no longer, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s, “Where will we go next?”
My Review:
Poor Arcade, just when he thinks his life can settle down a bit along comes two people that are anything but kind and it definitely shows. Arcade is given a somewhat impromptu gift at the library, his favorite hiding place. Zoe, Arcades sister, figures she better go and keep her brother company, when he discovers that this gift is no ordinary gift.
Arcade and Zoe are soon able to travel between time periods and events like nobody's business. Follow along with these two and discover some much more than you ever imagined could happen to two new city kids.
About the Book:
The Coin Slot Chronicles series, by former NFL running back and Dancing with the Stars champion Rashad Jennings, is a humorous and imaginative series that explores the power of friendship and imagination, the challenges in finding your place, and the reality of missing home.
Eleven-year-old Arcade Livingston has a problem. Several, actually. The Tolley twins, a.k.a. neighborhood bullies, are making Arcade’s move to a new city even harder than it needs to be. They expect him to do their research papers and interactive displays for the sixth-grade career expo’s theme: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Besides doing their work, Arcade doesn’t even know his own answer to that question.
Then at the library—Arcade’s favorite place to chill—a mysterious old woman gives him a golden arcade token that grants him a unique gift. A gift that allows him to time travel between different places including his own future. From sitting in the dugout with Babe Ruth, to hanging on to the back of a bucking bull, to performing life-saving surgery on a dog, Arcade has no shortage of adventure! Together with his older sister, Zoe, Arcade explores life’s biggest thrills and challenges, and the two also have a big mystery to solve. Who is the rightful owner of the incredible Triple T Token that leads to such astounding adventures?
Arcade’s circle of friends begins to widen as the Triple T Token hangs from his neck. Pulsing. Beckoning another adventure. The question for Arcade, Zoe, and their new friends is no longer, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s, “Where will we go next?”
My Review:
Poor Arcade, just when he thinks his life can settle down a bit along comes two people that are anything but kind and it definitely shows. Arcade is given a somewhat impromptu gift at the library, his favorite hiding place. Zoe, Arcades sister, figures she better go and keep her brother company, when he discovers that this gift is no ordinary gift.
Arcade and Zoe are soon able to travel between time periods and events like nobody's business. Follow along with these two and discover some much more than you ever imagined could happen to two new city kids.
April 12, 2019
Arcade Livingston and his sister Zoe have just moved to New York City with their family and are starting new schools at the end of March. Arcade has a passion for learning and loves to visit the library. He is given a mysterious token that bears strange powers that are able to transport him into the past and alternate futures.
Arcade's school assignment is to create a presentation and display about a future career. Arcade makes new friends, as he navigates the assignment, goes on adventures, and uses his wits to do the right thing when in a tough spot.
A delightfully fun-filled read, perfect for readers 9 to 14. There aren't a lot of Christian books for young people and even less for tweens and early teen aged youths, so I was excited to find this book. Arcade is a intelligent young man with a hunger for learning and a helping hand attitude. He and his sister are new to New York, and even though they tease each other, they have a great relationship and are very supportive of each other.
I loved how Arcade was able to step out of his comfort zone and help others, and as a result make many new friends. He tries many new things and all along the way has a positive attitude.
Overall a fantastic read. I will admit that I'm not familiar with Rashad Jennings outside of his authorship of this great book, but he really nailed it with this fast-past, funny, and adventure-packed foray into Middle-Grade fiction. Good positive themes of helping others, encouragement, and trusting God, as well as a healthy love for the library, and responsible phone use. A great launch of a fun new series, with plenty of the token's mysteries still to be unraveled. This will be a great addition to my church's library.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."
Arcade's school assignment is to create a presentation and display about a future career. Arcade makes new friends, as he navigates the assignment, goes on adventures, and uses his wits to do the right thing when in a tough spot.
A delightfully fun-filled read, perfect for readers 9 to 14. There aren't a lot of Christian books for young people and even less for tweens and early teen aged youths, so I was excited to find this book. Arcade is a intelligent young man with a hunger for learning and a helping hand attitude. He and his sister are new to New York, and even though they tease each other, they have a great relationship and are very supportive of each other.
I loved how Arcade was able to step out of his comfort zone and help others, and as a result make many new friends. He tries many new things and all along the way has a positive attitude.
Overall a fantastic read. I will admit that I'm not familiar with Rashad Jennings outside of his authorship of this great book, but he really nailed it with this fast-past, funny, and adventure-packed foray into Middle-Grade fiction. Good positive themes of helping others, encouragement, and trusting God, as well as a healthy love for the library, and responsible phone use. A great launch of a fun new series, with plenty of the token's mysteries still to be unraveled. This will be a great addition to my church's library.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."
July 18, 2019
Ah! I love this book! With all the video games and technology competing for our kids' attention, how refreshing to find fun, truly engaging book they delight in! This is a win, @zonderkidz! Thanks for sending a copy our way for review--we love it!
September 7, 2022
Where's the story? I needed something in here... like a plot... because while Jennings likely created the story from his character Arcade, nothing of substance transpired to create a story. It felt like re-explanations like the chorus from a song that never propelled the narrative. I was disappointed in this.
May 20, 2024
Creative idea with interesting characters and a strong spiritual focus without being preachy.
February 1, 2020
Arcade and the Triple T Token, written by the amazing Rashad Jennings, is Book 1 in the highly entertaining Coin Slot Chronicles series. It is perfect for tweens and teens, 4th through 8th grade, and would make an awesome addition to any classroom or home library. From page one, readers will find themselves thoroughly engaged in the storyline, as they tackle some of life's toughest questions alongside the main characters, starting with, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Not only will they feel a strong connection to the characters, but they will also find themselves easily relating to the situations these characters face in their everyday lives. From moving to a new city and dealing with bullies to making friends and accepting oneself, this middle-grade reader is filled with thrilling adventures, wonderful life lessons, and thought-provoking messages that will keep even the most reluctant readers glued to the pages, eager to find out what lies ahead on their journey with 11-year-old, Arcade Livingston.
My overall enjoyment of the book was heightened by the illustrations that are strategically sprinkled throughout. Honestly, I would have loved to see more of them. Some chapters include a couple small illustrations to the side of the text, while others don’t include any at all. As a young reader, I was always excited to reach the pages that contained pictures. Some might say that the inclusion of illustrations prevent kids from creating their own “mind movie” of the plot, but as a teacher, I have to disagree. This is my 21st year teaching high school in an urban-setting Title 1 district; many of my students are struggling readers, and some of them rely on those illustrations to help jump-start their own imaginations. Sometimes, all it takes is a little support to help us open doors to worlds we never even knew existed. For Arcade, the Triple T Token is a portal to the answers he seeks...for those who are still searching, this book just might help you find what you're looking for!
Another one of my favorite features of this book is the length of the chapters. Although they vary in pages, they are all generally short. Some of you might think this is odd to mention, but I absolutely love short chapters, especially for kids who don't read often. Long chapters sometimes feel like a task, causing kids to put the book aside for later...or never again...because they feel overwhelmed by the length. When chapters are short, I find that kids either read for longer periods of time or they read more frequently. Short chapters also invite statements such as, "Just one more chapter!" As a teacher, that's music to my ears! Short chapters also allow kids more time to think about and discuss what they are reading because there are more places to stop and take a breath. For this reason, the Coin Slot Chronicles series would be perfect for an after-school book club! With the help of the included reading guide and discussion questions, leaders will be able to enjoy the books just as much as the kids because all the work is already done for you! All you have to do is provide a safe, well-lit environment the same day and time each week, and before you know it, kids will be making new friends and bonding over books. Each week as their love for reading deepens, they will grow increasingly excited to share their thoughts about what they have learned - about themselves and how to apply those learnings to their own real-life situations. And, if you bring snacks, your group might even double in size! Give it a try!
Without hesitation, Arcade and the Triple T Token by Rashad Jennings deserves 5 out of 5 stars. Being that it is Book 1 in the Coin Slot Chronicles series, it can be read as a stand-alone novel, but I guarantee that after completing it, readers will be begging for Book 2. The fast-moving, adventurous plot, relatable characters, positive messages, and life lessons make this a true winner. I recommend this novel to kids, ages 8-15, who enjoy mystery, fantasy, time travel, humor, and inspirational reads. I recommend the series to teachers and parents who are looking to fill their home and classroom libraries with novels that contain engaging storylines and funny, realistic, and diverse characters. And, finally, I recommend this book to adults who are interested in remembering what life was like as a kid; you, too, will find this Zonderkidz published novel, Arcade and the Triple T Token, entertaining and well worth the trip! Happy reading!
I'd like to thank Jessica Westra at Harper Collins for gifting me this book to review for the Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 event (1/31/20). #ReadYourWorld
My overall enjoyment of the book was heightened by the illustrations that are strategically sprinkled throughout. Honestly, I would have loved to see more of them. Some chapters include a couple small illustrations to the side of the text, while others don’t include any at all. As a young reader, I was always excited to reach the pages that contained pictures. Some might say that the inclusion of illustrations prevent kids from creating their own “mind movie” of the plot, but as a teacher, I have to disagree. This is my 21st year teaching high school in an urban-setting Title 1 district; many of my students are struggling readers, and some of them rely on those illustrations to help jump-start their own imaginations. Sometimes, all it takes is a little support to help us open doors to worlds we never even knew existed. For Arcade, the Triple T Token is a portal to the answers he seeks...for those who are still searching, this book just might help you find what you're looking for!
Another one of my favorite features of this book is the length of the chapters. Although they vary in pages, they are all generally short. Some of you might think this is odd to mention, but I absolutely love short chapters, especially for kids who don't read often. Long chapters sometimes feel like a task, causing kids to put the book aside for later...or never again...because they feel overwhelmed by the length. When chapters are short, I find that kids either read for longer periods of time or they read more frequently. Short chapters also invite statements such as, "Just one more chapter!" As a teacher, that's music to my ears! Short chapters also allow kids more time to think about and discuss what they are reading because there are more places to stop and take a breath. For this reason, the Coin Slot Chronicles series would be perfect for an after-school book club! With the help of the included reading guide and discussion questions, leaders will be able to enjoy the books just as much as the kids because all the work is already done for you! All you have to do is provide a safe, well-lit environment the same day and time each week, and before you know it, kids will be making new friends and bonding over books. Each week as their love for reading deepens, they will grow increasingly excited to share their thoughts about what they have learned - about themselves and how to apply those learnings to their own real-life situations. And, if you bring snacks, your group might even double in size! Give it a try!
Without hesitation, Arcade and the Triple T Token by Rashad Jennings deserves 5 out of 5 stars. Being that it is Book 1 in the Coin Slot Chronicles series, it can be read as a stand-alone novel, but I guarantee that after completing it, readers will be begging for Book 2. The fast-moving, adventurous plot, relatable characters, positive messages, and life lessons make this a true winner. I recommend this novel to kids, ages 8-15, who enjoy mystery, fantasy, time travel, humor, and inspirational reads. I recommend the series to teachers and parents who are looking to fill their home and classroom libraries with novels that contain engaging storylines and funny, realistic, and diverse characters. And, finally, I recommend this book to adults who are interested in remembering what life was like as a kid; you, too, will find this Zonderkidz published novel, Arcade and the Triple T Token, entertaining and well worth the trip! Happy reading!
I'd like to thank Jessica Westra at Harper Collins for gifting me this book to review for the Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 event (1/31/20). #ReadYourWorld
October 15, 2023
This is an amazing book I have the whole series and decided to sit and read and it WAS WORTH IT!
February 25, 2019
I was so excited to see that this NFL Star Rasherd Jennings. I had seen this author for the first time in Dancing with the Stars. I admired his dedication and his drive to get better with his skills each week. It was amazing to see him grow as a dancer and as a person. He’s always had to work hard than most to achieve his goals. It’s a good quality that he shares in this first book in the series. I was thrilled to see him going in this direction in encouraging the youth in these creative and fun stories.
I liked the forward which reveals a few things this author has had to overcome, "From myself and that little overweight kid with glasses, asthma, 0.6 GPA, and an impossible dream; and to all the present and future kids of the Rashad Jennings Foundation - If there was one place I could grab you by the hand and take you right now, it would be to that day in your life when you finally decided in your heart that, "No matter what it takes, I'm going to become the absolute best version of myself! "Truly, that is when your own Arcade adventures begin...."
Arcade Livingston, moves to a new town and checks out his favorite place - the library where he can take adventures through the books he discovers. The story begins with Arcade in the library after he's carefully picked out a ton of books he's looking forward to taking home. Now his mom says he can’t get them all the books, there is no way for them to carry all that on the subway. Now to decide which ones would stay. He tells the librarian Ms. Weekles. She's glad wants to help put the books away and that he knows the Dewey Decimal system. She says, “Because we all know, a misshelved book is a…”Lost book!”
Arcade happens upon a mysterious woman who gives him an arcade token, which will allow him to experience things in person, rather than simply reading about it in a book. It kind of reminded me of the TV series titled The Librarians (but for kids).
I liked the life lessons and how Arcade dealt with getting adjusted to a new home and community. This novel had likable characters I cared about. It’s an enjoyable read that leaves you wondering what adventures he’s goes next.
This is a fun, quick and easy read; geared for 3-7 year olds. This would work well for a book club pick too. There are 15 discussion questions included in the back of the book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher/BookLook. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine https://www.bookfun.org/page/past-iss...
I liked the forward which reveals a few things this author has had to overcome, "From myself and that little overweight kid with glasses, asthma, 0.6 GPA, and an impossible dream; and to all the present and future kids of the Rashad Jennings Foundation - If there was one place I could grab you by the hand and take you right now, it would be to that day in your life when you finally decided in your heart that, "No matter what it takes, I'm going to become the absolute best version of myself! "Truly, that is when your own Arcade adventures begin...."
Arcade Livingston, moves to a new town and checks out his favorite place - the library where he can take adventures through the books he discovers. The story begins with Arcade in the library after he's carefully picked out a ton of books he's looking forward to taking home. Now his mom says he can’t get them all the books, there is no way for them to carry all that on the subway. Now to decide which ones would stay. He tells the librarian Ms. Weekles. She's glad wants to help put the books away and that he knows the Dewey Decimal system. She says, “Because we all know, a misshelved book is a…”Lost book!”
Arcade happens upon a mysterious woman who gives him an arcade token, which will allow him to experience things in person, rather than simply reading about it in a book. It kind of reminded me of the TV series titled The Librarians (but for kids).
I liked the life lessons and how Arcade dealt with getting adjusted to a new home and community. This novel had likable characters I cared about. It’s an enjoyable read that leaves you wondering what adventures he’s goes next.
This is a fun, quick and easy read; geared for 3-7 year olds. This would work well for a book club pick too. There are 15 discussion questions included in the back of the book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher/BookLook. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine https://www.bookfun.org/page/past-iss...
October 27, 2020
When I saw Arcade and the Triple T Token on the bookshelf at a local Christian bookstore, I did a double take. I immediately picked up the book, thumbed through it, read the jacket synopsis, and knew I was going to buy it, read it, and most definitely enjoy it. And I did.
Books like this one are rare. First of all, there are not a ton of Christian middle grade fiction novels out there. Since middle grade fiction tends to be fairly clean, many Christian families buy general middle grade books for their kids. Second, and this is perhaps the most important, I believe this is the very first Christian fiction book I have ever read that featured a kid of color as the lead character. Aside from a couple of books set back during the Civil War or during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, (and even those often have a white lead character who is "struggling to understand" what is happening during those time periods) there are very few Christian middle grade books written from the African American perspective featuring a lead character who is also African American.
In the first book of The Coin Slot Chronicles, Arcade Livingston finds himself in a new city, attending a new school, dealing with new bullies, finding new friends, and also discovering a mysterious token that takes him and his friends to new places, times, and worlds. As Arcade and his sister are just beginning to figure out how the token works, they discover that someone else is after it as well. Someone who wants to use the token for evil. Can they keep the token out of evil hands and finish their homework?
Rashad Jennings has given us an incredible first entry to a great series. I laughed out loud several times while reading and also gasped as the plot unraveled. Arcade is instantly one of the most likeable heroes of middle grade fiction, and has his own journey to travel throughout the book.
I will say there are plenty of mysteries to solve here, and by the end of the book, only a few reveals are given, leaving other mysteries to be solved in book two. If your kids are looking for a fun, lighthearted, slightly fantastical read (or if you're looking for one as well!) you cannot do wrong by picking up Arcade and the Triple T Token.
Now on to book two!
Books like this one are rare. First of all, there are not a ton of Christian middle grade fiction novels out there. Since middle grade fiction tends to be fairly clean, many Christian families buy general middle grade books for their kids. Second, and this is perhaps the most important, I believe this is the very first Christian fiction book I have ever read that featured a kid of color as the lead character. Aside from a couple of books set back during the Civil War or during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, (and even those often have a white lead character who is "struggling to understand" what is happening during those time periods) there are very few Christian middle grade books written from the African American perspective featuring a lead character who is also African American.
In the first book of The Coin Slot Chronicles, Arcade Livingston finds himself in a new city, attending a new school, dealing with new bullies, finding new friends, and also discovering a mysterious token that takes him and his friends to new places, times, and worlds. As Arcade and his sister are just beginning to figure out how the token works, they discover that someone else is after it as well. Someone who wants to use the token for evil. Can they keep the token out of evil hands and finish their homework?
Rashad Jennings has given us an incredible first entry to a great series. I laughed out loud several times while reading and also gasped as the plot unraveled. Arcade is instantly one of the most likeable heroes of middle grade fiction, and has his own journey to travel throughout the book.
I will say there are plenty of mysteries to solve here, and by the end of the book, only a few reveals are given, leaving other mysteries to be solved in book two. If your kids are looking for a fun, lighthearted, slightly fantastical read (or if you're looking for one as well!) you cannot do wrong by picking up Arcade and the Triple T Token.
Now on to book two!
July 25, 2020
Arcade and the Triple T Token by Rashad Jennings is the first book in a junveile fiction series probably best for 4-6th graders.
Eleven-year-old Arcade Livingston has some typical kid problems--he's moved to a new city and is the new kid at school, some bullies have him in their sights and having to take the subway everywhere makes it difficult to check out all the library books he wants. But he also has one very unusual problem... a mysterious token that seems to be transporting him on some pretty crazy adventures.
Together with his older sister, Zoe, Arcade will learn to navigate his new home, while trying to uncover the secrets of this magical token that appeared out of no where.
This was a really fun read and quick too! I found the characters super relatable, each in their own way, and Arcade is someone you can definitely see being a friend. There's almost this idea of stepping into another person's shoes that the author is playing with, through the lens of "what do I want to be when I grow up," a question that a lot of middle grade kids are just starting to explore. I sort of loved that each of Arcade's adventures were tied in to one of his friends interests and desires.
Arcade is sort of this "go to guy," the guy who knows all the answers, even if he has no idea what he wants to be himself. He's smart in an observant way and I liked how he sees the world around him.
There's also a secondary lesson going on in the background with this one--this idea of why should we only think inside the box, when there are other ways of looking at the world. It's a more obscure theme, but it's there.
The fifth book is about to come out in this series, so I think this would be a great one for both boys and girls in 4-6th grade. There's a lot to discuss and a lot that can be explored about ones own aspirations. This book gets a high 4.5 stars from me.
Eleven-year-old Arcade Livingston has some typical kid problems--he's moved to a new city and is the new kid at school, some bullies have him in their sights and having to take the subway everywhere makes it difficult to check out all the library books he wants. But he also has one very unusual problem... a mysterious token that seems to be transporting him on some pretty crazy adventures.
Together with his older sister, Zoe, Arcade will learn to navigate his new home, while trying to uncover the secrets of this magical token that appeared out of no where.
This was a really fun read and quick too! I found the characters super relatable, each in their own way, and Arcade is someone you can definitely see being a friend. There's almost this idea of stepping into another person's shoes that the author is playing with, through the lens of "what do I want to be when I grow up," a question that a lot of middle grade kids are just starting to explore. I sort of loved that each of Arcade's adventures were tied in to one of his friends interests and desires.
Arcade is sort of this "go to guy," the guy who knows all the answers, even if he has no idea what he wants to be himself. He's smart in an observant way and I liked how he sees the world around him.
There's also a secondary lesson going on in the background with this one--this idea of why should we only think inside the box, when there are other ways of looking at the world. It's a more obscure theme, but it's there.
The fifth book is about to come out in this series, so I think this would be a great one for both boys and girls in 4-6th grade. There's a lot to discuss and a lot that can be explored about ones own aspirations. This book gets a high 4.5 stars from me.
August 17, 2020
My name is Arcade Livingston, and my life changed when an old lady gave me a necklace with a magical token. I don't know how it works, and I can't predict when it will start burning, but it always transports my sister Zoe and I on new adventures. My first trip sent me right into the middle of a bronco bull rodeo! The token has allowed me to help my friends choose careers for our school project, but I wish it would give me some ideas. I don't know what I'm good at, and I can't decide what I want to do. I'm also distracted by a mysterious man who's saying the token belongs to him. I'm a little scared, because he knows my name and I don't know what he might do. My parents will never believe me, although I suspect my mom might be able to help.
The early part of the book left me a little confused, as I couldn't figure out when or why the token transported Arcade and Zoe. The characters and I learned to accept the unpredictable nature of the token and enjoyed the ride. The minor characters in Arcade's group each had a moment of surprise before fully embracing the token's powers. That surprised me a bit. The book never fully explained how the token worked. Did the kids travel into the future? Did their experiences actually happen? The veterinary trip seemed to have occurred but what about the pit crew? It was cool that Zoe wanted to protect Arcade and didn't want him traveling alone. The parents were busy with their careers, but the father managed to write daily, motivational notes to the kids. The parents were prepared to drop everything if Arcade needed them. That was an inspiring portrayal of a modern family unit. Overall, this was a fun story, and I recommend you give it a shot. The story's resolution presented some questions, so I've already reserved the sequel from my library.
The early part of the book left me a little confused, as I couldn't figure out when or why the token transported Arcade and Zoe. The characters and I learned to accept the unpredictable nature of the token and enjoyed the ride. The minor characters in Arcade's group each had a moment of surprise before fully embracing the token's powers. That surprised me a bit. The book never fully explained how the token worked. Did the kids travel into the future? Did their experiences actually happen? The veterinary trip seemed to have occurred but what about the pit crew? It was cool that Zoe wanted to protect Arcade and didn't want him traveling alone. The parents were busy with their careers, but the father managed to write daily, motivational notes to the kids. The parents were prepared to drop everything if Arcade needed them. That was an inspiring portrayal of a modern family unit. Overall, this was a fun story, and I recommend you give it a shot. The story's resolution presented some questions, so I've already reserved the sequel from my library.
April 12, 2019
The book for review is “ Arcade and the Triple T Token ( The Coin Slot Chronicles” by Rashad Jennings. This book falls in the genre of juvenile and fiction.
Meet our main character Arcade Livingston. He is your normal 11-year-old kid. But he has a problem. Well more than one. His family just moved to NY from Virginia and they know no one. Okay that isn’t true. He does know the Tolly twins who are bullies that live in his neighborhood. They convince him, like he has a say in saying no, to do their project in school. It doesn’t end there.
There’s more. With being an avid reader and frequent visitor at his library it is no surprise that it is there that an old woman gives him a gift- a golden arcade token. Before he can object she is gone and he is left wondering what to do.
Together with new friends from school and his older sister they embark on adventures that they could not predict. Why? The token is a time portal. Cool. Well that is until someone is on the prowl to get that token back from him at all cost.
This is a good read for the age group this book is intended for. It has friendship, family and adventure from beginning to end. The pages will turn fast for any young reader as they will want to know what happens next since the pace is on target.
There are discussion questions in the back that could make this a good book club book for youngsters. And if kids do enjoy this book the second one in this series will be coming around the corner for them to enjoy.
I received this book for free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.
Meet our main character Arcade Livingston. He is your normal 11-year-old kid. But he has a problem. Well more than one. His family just moved to NY from Virginia and they know no one. Okay that isn’t true. He does know the Tolly twins who are bullies that live in his neighborhood. They convince him, like he has a say in saying no, to do their project in school. It doesn’t end there.
There’s more. With being an avid reader and frequent visitor at his library it is no surprise that it is there that an old woman gives him a gift- a golden arcade token. Before he can object she is gone and he is left wondering what to do.
Together with new friends from school and his older sister they embark on adventures that they could not predict. Why? The token is a time portal. Cool. Well that is until someone is on the prowl to get that token back from him at all cost.
This is a good read for the age group this book is intended for. It has friendship, family and adventure from beginning to end. The pages will turn fast for any young reader as they will want to know what happens next since the pace is on target.
There are discussion questions in the back that could make this a good book club book for youngsters. And if kids do enjoy this book the second one in this series will be coming around the corner for them to enjoy.
I received this book for free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2019
Arcade and his family just moved to New York City. It is mid school year and his parents are very busy getting established in their new jobs. Arcade, a sixth grader, and Zoe, a high schooler at a private school, are left on their own much of the time. A lady gives Arcade a token when he is at the public library. Zoe and Arcade soon find out the magic behind the token. Meanwhile they both try to fit in at their new school. Arcade has a group project where each member of the group has to determine a career they would like to pursue and then make a presentation for the whole elementary school. Arcade succeeds in helping others determine a career but he can’t figure out one for himself. The magic token takes them in some interesting adventures which help make some of those career decisions.
Rashad Jennings has written a fantasy novel for mid grade students that will leave them wanting to read more in The Coin Slot Chronicles. His characters are believable. He successfully touches on the topics of friendship, bullying, family, and being the new kid. Periodic sketches by Rashad Jennings illustrate the text which helps create “white space” making the book less intimidating for the reluctant reader.
I want to thank Book Look for the complimentary copy of Arcade and the Triple T Token. I can’t wait to share this title with my third to fifth graders at my Christian School.
Rashad Jennings has written a fantasy novel for mid grade students that will leave them wanting to read more in The Coin Slot Chronicles. His characters are believable. He successfully touches on the topics of friendship, bullying, family, and being the new kid. Periodic sketches by Rashad Jennings illustrate the text which helps create “white space” making the book less intimidating for the reluctant reader.
I want to thank Book Look for the complimentary copy of Arcade and the Triple T Token. I can’t wait to share this title with my third to fifth graders at my Christian School.
Read
May 26, 2020Arcade and his family move to New York. He is assigned a group presentation about what he wants to be when he grows up. While researching options at the library, a mysterious old woman gives him a token and tells him "Happy Travels". Soon he discovers that the token allows him and his friends to travel to alternate realities where they can experience various careers. But, someone doesn't want Arcade to have the token. I ended up enjoying this a lot more than I thought that I would. One thing that I really like is that the family wasn't dysfunctional or broken. Arcade and his sister fought as siblings do, but they also had each other's backs. During good times as well as bad. No the parents don't know about the token- they are busy not disinterested. And they also made sure to talk to/ communicate with their kids. (The dad leaves each kids a note in the morning.) It was nice to see positive black family representation in a children's book. As he travels and experiences various careers his friends soon discover careers that they are interested in. Arcade still struggles with finding his. This is unexpected as situations don't end as one would expect them to. I will definitely continue on with this series , and will get them in print for my son (who I think will enjoy this series a lot.)
August 20, 2019
If you have a middle-grade reader that also happens to be a boy then you need to take a look at this book. Arcade and the Triple T Token has a lot to offer for the reader. Arcade Livingston has just moved to a new town and is starting a new school so obviously the story deals with what it is like to be the new kid. It deals with bullying and some creative ways to handle it. It has a bit of time-travel which adds to the excitement. And it also has an element of mystery. What else could you want?
This story is well-written and as an adult I thought the pace moved along quite well. I think it will easily hold the attention of a young reader. It definitely has the slant of appealing to the boys but I think girls would enjoy the story too.
My favorite part is that of Arcade Livingston himself. He's a bit on the nerdy side (he loves the library for heavens sake!) but somehow he makes being a nerd cool. One of the biggest take aways for the story is to learn to be comfortable with who you are. I think that's such an important lesson especially at this age.
I'm looking forward to the future books in this series. I think the second installment comes out in September 2019 so you don't have too long to wait.
I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.
This story is well-written and as an adult I thought the pace moved along quite well. I think it will easily hold the attention of a young reader. It definitely has the slant of appealing to the boys but I think girls would enjoy the story too.
My favorite part is that of Arcade Livingston himself. He's a bit on the nerdy side (he loves the library for heavens sake!) but somehow he makes being a nerd cool. One of the biggest take aways for the story is to learn to be comfortable with who you are. I think that's such an important lesson especially at this age.
I'm looking forward to the future books in this series. I think the second installment comes out in September 2019 so you don't have too long to wait.
I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.
November 17, 2020
Enjoyed it.
May 20, 2020
I wasn’t sure what to expect with the plot of this book, but I do know that it was better than expected! The main character is a bookworm who knows he doesn’t necessarily fit in, but is doing his best the way that any middle school kid does. Issues of bullying play a fairly large role in the story. (If you read the author’s note, it talks a bit about his inspiration and why he chose to feature some of the issues he did in the story.) The gist of the story is that he is able to travel through space and time, exploring the world around him on his quest to get a grip on this world and his life goals. The book leaves itself open to be part of a larger series, and I’ll be interested to see what is tackled next.
April 22, 2020
I wasn't sure if I would like this one at all, but was very pleasantly surprised -- the writing and storytelling is excellent, with short chapters that keep the plot moving along. Downsides: there's some plot challenges -- the Token adventures are a little random, and don't always make very much sense. Jennings doesn't resolve very much in this first book. There was also quite a bit of Christianity-inspired instruction, which seemed appropriate for the characters, but which I did not enjoy.
Great sibling dynamics, however, and an unusual take on dealing with bullying. Altogether, if you're ok with a certain level of moralizing and a kid who loves nothing better than the library, this book is for you. Also bonus points for Arcade's love of wearing unusual socks on Fridays.
Great sibling dynamics, however, and an unusual take on dealing with bullying. Altogether, if you're ok with a certain level of moralizing and a kid who loves nothing better than the library, this book is for you. Also bonus points for Arcade's love of wearing unusual socks on Fridays.
July 12, 2020
Definitely an odd duck of a book in that there's little in the way of tension or conflict, and even less explanation. Arcade and the Triple T Token is nonetheless enjoyable for its bright sense of humor and endearing characters. Arcade is relentlessly positive, and the friends he gathers around him are all quirky and fun to be around. It doesn't shy away from direct talk about Christianity, which (I find) is unusual in a J-fiction. Nothing even close to controversial, but still worth noting.
It's a warm and lighthearted read for those that aren't afraid of some unexplained magical elements, but it never really does try to address the "why?", leaving the reader to figure out for themselves what the book is about.
It's a warm and lighthearted read for those that aren't afraid of some unexplained magical elements, but it never really does try to address the "why?", leaving the reader to figure out for themselves what the book is about.
August 3, 2019
I enjoyed this book. Definitely will encourage my students to read. He gives the curious student the okay to stay curious. It’s okay to not know what you want to be yet. Keep your eyes open and learn as much as you can, yet FOCUS on the fun and exploring new things. I enjoyed how Arcade shared his adventures with his friends allowing them to step out the box as well. He was able to be himself.
January 31, 2019
Loved this adventure! Arcade maneuvers the transition to a new school, handles bullies on his own, wrestles with what he wants to be in the future, and time travels through fun adventures, including hanging in the dugout with Babe Ruth. I really appreciated Arcade's example of how to negotiate bullying, especially as kids usually see this done because of an adult's leadership.
May 6, 2020
My son and I read this book together, he enjoyed it so much that we got the second one in the series from the library.
Highly recommend for the isolation COVID time, allows for imagination and good discussion questions at the end which checks not only his comprehension but challenges him to think "what if?"
Highly recommend for the isolation COVID time, allows for imagination and good discussion questions at the end which checks not only his comprehension but challenges him to think "what if?"
September 30, 2020
What a fun story! This has an upper elementary level reading level, but a very original story. Give this one to all your readers close to the age of the protagonist--he's a sixth grader. I bought this on a whim when I saw Rashad Jennings on a talk show hyping the newest book in this series. So glad I did. I will definitely read the rest.
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