I just finished reading "The Gollywhopper Games" by Jody Feldman. The author has created an exciting adventure. Gil wins the opportunity to participate in the Gollywhopper games; beating out 5000 other kids. He begins the competition as part of a team. They need to complete 5 puzzles and 5 stunts.
You can complete the puzzles too. Read the puzzle. Think about what you know about logic and what has happened in the story. Once you have it figured out, continue reading the story to see if you solved it the same as Gil.
In the beginning of the story, I'm reminded of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 500 tickets to participate in the first phase of the game can be found in the products sold by the Gollywhopper Toy Company. After the 2 teams are selected, I'm reminded of the 1980's movie, Running Man. The contestants participate in what seems like a very, very large building and the observers watch from an observation deck not visible to the contestants.
The reader becomes interested in Gil from the first page where we learn that his dad was wrongly accused of embezzling money from the The Gollywhopper Toy Company. And the interest in Gil continues to the very last page. He makes friends, stays calm and thinks.