Sunday, March 15, 2009

Counterfeit Son by Elaine Marie Alphin (180 pages)

Cover image for Counterfeit sonCameron’s father is a serial killer.  He abducts young boys, takes them back to his home, locks Cameron in the basement, and kills the boys.  Do I have your attention?  This book certainly caught mine quite quickly.  From the start, Cameron’s father has been killed by the police and Cameron has decided that rather than being punished by the police for not helping any of the boys his father took, he will assume the identity of one of the boys: Neil Lacey.  Neil was abducted six years earlier when he was only 8, the same age as Cameron.  Neil’s family had given up hope that their son was still alive, but are thrilled when Cameron says he is Neil.  There are many similarities between Neil and Cameron, but one police officer is not convinced.  What will Cameron do to keep his secret safe - and what will he do when his murderer father’s friend comes looking for him?  Find out in this thriller!  (for mature audiences)

Miss Simer’s Rating: ***1/2

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Sunday, September 7, 2008

Overnight by Adele Griffin (151 pages)

Cover image for OvernightGray Rosenfeld is a member of the elite Lucky 7 group of her private school.  The seven girls are the most popular and powerful of their school.  At Caitlin’s twelfth birthday party sleepover, Gray isn’t having the greatest time.  Her mom is sick with cancer, so Gray is depressed and distracted.  Excusing herself from the board game the girls are playing, Gray heads to the kitchen to find something to eat.  While there, a strange woman comes to the back door and says she’s sorry for being late to the party.  Gray thinks she may be Caitlin’s neighbor and opens the door.  The woman is NOT a neighbor; she is a stranger who takes Gray.  The girls don’t realize she’s missing until half an hour later and even then are not convinced that she didn’t leave on her own free will.  This novel examines how easy it is to fall prey to a stranger, and how selfish adolescent friends can be.

Miss Simer’s Rating: **1/2

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Monday, March 31, 2008

Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz (323 pages)

Cover image for Ark angel

Fourteen-year-old Alex Rider, an MI6 agent, is recovering in a hospital from a bullet injury, when four men, belonging to an eco-terrorist group called Force Three, try to kidnap a fellow patient, Paul Drevin.  Paul Drevin is the son of a billionaire Nikolai Drevin, who owns Ark Angel, the first outer space hotel.  Alex prevents Force Three from kidnapping Paul, and he gets close to Mr. Drevin while further recuperating at his estates.  After a while, Nikolai confides in Alex that he is planning to launch a rocket to Ark Angel to supposedly make some improvements to the outer space hotel.  However, this is not exactly the truth.  When Alex figures out what Nikolai is really planning, it could be too late for him to save millions of people.  This book is so exciting that it will be finished before you know it!  

Hank H.’s Rating: ****

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Thursday, June 21, 2007

The Twisted Window by Lois Duncan (183 pages)

Tracy Lloyd lives a quiet life in Winfield, Texas .  She moved there from New York after her mother was murdered.  Living with her aunt and uncle, she tries to keep to herself.  While she and a friend are chatting in the cafeteria at school, she notices a rather handsome new student watching her.  His name is Brad Johnson, a transfer from New Mexico .  Tracy is drawn to his intense stare and personable demeanor.  Brad, feeling the same for Tracy , boldly asks for her phone number.  What Tracy doesn’t know is that Brad isn’t really a new student at the school.  He has come to Texas with the sole purpose of finding his younger sister, Mindy, who he believes was kidnapped by his step-father and taken to Winfield.  Brad wants Tracy to pose as a baby-sitter so he can take his sister back home to New Mexico .  Tracy , wrapped up in Brad’s emotional story, agrees wholeheartedly.  The plan is set in motion.  Brad and Tracy work together to find the girl and then take her to New Mexico .  However, when the little girl doesn’t respond to the name Mindy and insists her name is Cricket, Tracy wonders if Brad was telling her the truth about his sister.  Find out in this mystery by Lois Duncan!

 

Miss Simer’s Rating: ***

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