Begin the road trip
Start with Mission Unstoppable, where Coke and Pepsi first learn why strangers are pursuing them.
Book Series · 5 Books
The Genius Files Books
In order from Mission Unstoppable to License to Thrill.
Twelve-year-old twins Coke and Pepsi McDonald cross the United States, visit unusual landmarks, and dodge villains who know they are exceptional kids.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read The Genius Files Books
Read the five adventures in publication order, beginning with Mission Unstoppable. They follow one escalating cross-country story, so later books assume readers know the twins, their pursuers, and the secret Genius Files project.
Maps, photographs, and weird-but-true tourist stops are part of the series' appeal, but the plotted danger is fictional.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The comic road trips involve repeated attempts to kill or kidnap the twins, explosions, fires, falls, weapons, car crashes, threats, and dangerous stunts. The violence is exaggerated and often played for absurd humor, but the danger is frequent enough that sensitive readers may find it more intense than a typical family-vacation comedy.
Real maps and photographs encourage geography learning and can prompt families to look up the unusual American landmarks the McDonalds visit.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$674
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2011
Mission Unstoppable
By Dan Gutman
Twins on a road trip face mysterious threats and secret codes.
304 pages· 51,368 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Twins Coke and Pepsi McDonald thought their family vacation was ordinary until danger struck. Chased by mysterious foes and decoding secret messages, they must uncover the truth about The Genius Files. From California's quirky museums to Wisconsin's oddities, their journey is a thrilling race against time. Can they outsmart the threats and solve the mystery before it's too late?
In reading order
The Genius Files Series
5 books · Published 2011–2015
#1
Sale price
$674
Mission Unstoppable
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2011
Twins on a road trip face mysterious threats and secret codes.
#2
Sale price
$674
Never Say Genius
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2012
Twins on a wild road trip face bizarre dangers and a relentless villain.
#3
Sale price
$1597
You Only Die Twice
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2013
Twins on a wild road trip face deadly foes and shocking surprises en route to Graceland.
#4
Sale price
$799
From Texas with Love
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2014
Twins on a road trip face cryptic threats and hidden dangers in Texas.
#5
Sale price
$759
License to Thrill
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2015
Twins face perilous adventures and villains on a wild road trip home.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Genius Files series?
There are 5 books in the Genius Files series. It began with Mission Unstoppable in 2011, and the newest book, License to Thrill, was published in 2015.
What order should you read the Genius Files books in?
Start with Mission Unstoppable and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #5.
What ages are the Genius Files books best for?
The series is best for ages 9–12, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Genius Files book is the longest?
Mission Unstoppable (Book #1) is the longest book in the series at 51,368 words (304 pages).
Which Genius Files book is the shortest?
License to Thrill (Book #5) is the shortest at 42,799 words (272 pages).
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring The Genius Files to life.
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