Stormbreaker

Title- Stormbreaker

Author – Anthony Horowitz

ISBN- 074455943

Publication Information- Walker Brothers, 2000

 

Plot Summary-Alex Rider is awakened in the middle of the night to discover that his uncle, Ian, has been killed in a car accident. After attending the funeral, Alex discovers that his uncle was instead murdered in his car. He is quickly picked up by MI6 who want to hire him to continue in his uncle's line of work- a spy. He goes undercover as a teenage computer whiz to discover the ultimate purpose of the Stormbreaker computer system that is being donated to every student in the country. He is given a host of special gadgets by MI6 to help him survive.

Critical Evaluation- This is the first in a series of books. Although it is a fun and quick read, it is not particularly complex. If you like the James Bond stories and films, then this is a good fit. The protagonist is obviously meant to be a junior 007. The special gadgets are equally outrageous as those found in the early James Bond movies. The books are tame in the violence category living much to the imagination, which might keep it appropriate for young teen readers but equally unbelievable for older teens. With six titles in the series, it can bring months of good reading time to reluctant readers who like the series.

Reader's Annotation- Can the world's youngest spy save the children of England from a company seeking to control them?

Author Information- Horowitz lived a life not entirely different from his protagonist. He grew up in a wealthy household never really knowing what his father did for a living. After his father mysteriously moved all their money to an unknown account, he died, leaving the family searching for the money for years. His favorite source of entertainment was James Bond movies. They appeal to all things 14 year old boys want in an adult life. Horowitz is also an acclaimed screen writer in England for virtually every mystery show produced by the BBC. He has written over 50 other novels to date.

Curricular Ties- Criminal Justice

Genre- Action Adventure

Book talking ideas- Are Alex's toys and gadgets too good to be true? How would you react to discovering your uncle was a spy?

Challenge issues- I don't think there would be any objections to this novel

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age 13- 18

Why I selected this piece- I read this novel a few years back at the behest of a student who loved it. I had intended on reading the rest of the series, but I never got back to it.