Horowitz, Anthony. Stormbreaker. Philomel Books: 2000. ISBN: 0399236201.
Alex is woken in the middle of the night by a knock at the door. Good news never arrives at 3 a. m. Alex's Uncle Ian, with whom he lives has been killed in a car accident. The police report that Ian Rider was not wearing his seat belt and was hit by a truck. This immediately strikes Alex as odd because Uncle Ian had a particular fetish about wearing seat belts. Alex investigates on his own and finds out that his uncles car is not smashed from an accident, but is riddled with bullet holes. His uncle was murdered. Determined to find the truth, Alex goes to the bank where Uncle Ian worked to try and find out more. What he finds is hard to believe, but the puzzles pieces fit. Uncle Ian was a government spy and was killed because he discovered something important about the Stormbreakers, a new computer that a business man is donating to each and every student in England. This case is so important that the government decides to send in fourteen year old Alex Rider to finish his Uncle's job.
Critical Evaluation:
The book begins with Alex Rider as a typical fourteen year old, but quickly we see that he is anything but ordinary. Alex has been raised by his Uncle Ian, a spy for the English government. Ian is grooming Alex to take his place someday. This is almost beyond the realm of reality, but within this story it makes sense. Teens like to read stories about other teens who are powerful, not in a physical sense necessarily, but teens that can have an effect on the situations and people around them. It is similar to the idea of Harry Potter. A basically normal teen is put into extraordinary circumstances and prevails, thwarting evil along the way. Alex Rider doesn't use magic or the supernatural, but he has a level of expertise about martial arts and weaponry that most teens do not posses. Alex is a likable protagonist, he is brave, smart and has bouts of insecurity that appeals to readers. Working successfully through his insecurities provides the action and character development while being entertaining as well.
Reader's Annotation:
Alex is expected to follow into the family business. How hard can it be, right?
Information About the Author:
Anthony Horowitz had a horrible childhood.Born in England and part of a wealthy family, he was overweight, unhappy and lived at a boarding school. One positive to result from such unhappy circumstances was Anthony's ability to make up a good story. The very popular Alex Rider series is celebrating it's tenth year and has also been made into a movie in 2006. To date there are eight Alex Rider novels, one more just completed will finish the series.
The newest series from Anthony Horowitz is The Power of Five, a supernatural thriller with a boy protagonist. Also part of Anthony's resume is writing for television including Foyle's War and an episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot.
Genre:
Adventure/Espionage and Terrorism
Curriculum Ties:
Espionage
Terrorism
Children doing adult's work
Booktalking Ideas:
Could you avenge a family members death?
The ability to work under pressure, knowing it is life and death.
Would you be able to kill someone in self defense?
Reading Level/Interest Age:
9th +
Challenge Issues:
None
Why Include This Book?
A teen boy who usually only uses the computers recommended this book. I wanted to read it to be able to have a conversation with him.
Alex is woken in the middle of the night by a knock at the door. Good news never arrives at 3 a. m. Alex's Uncle Ian, with whom he lives has been killed in a car accident. The police report that Ian Rider was not wearing his seat belt and was hit by a truck. This immediately strikes Alex as odd because Uncle Ian had a particular fetish about wearing seat belts. Alex investigates on his own and finds out that his uncles car is not smashed from an accident, but is riddled with bullet holes. His uncle was murdered. Determined to find the truth, Alex goes to the bank where Uncle Ian worked to try and find out more. What he finds is hard to believe, but the puzzles pieces fit. Uncle Ian was a government spy and was killed because he discovered something important about the Stormbreakers, a new computer that a business man is donating to each and every student in England. This case is so important that the government decides to send in fourteen year old Alex Rider to finish his Uncle's job.
Critical Evaluation:
The book begins with Alex Rider as a typical fourteen year old, but quickly we see that he is anything but ordinary. Alex has been raised by his Uncle Ian, a spy for the English government. Ian is grooming Alex to take his place someday. This is almost beyond the realm of reality, but within this story it makes sense. Teens like to read stories about other teens who are powerful, not in a physical sense necessarily, but teens that can have an effect on the situations and people around them. It is similar to the idea of Harry Potter. A basically normal teen is put into extraordinary circumstances and prevails, thwarting evil along the way. Alex Rider doesn't use magic or the supernatural, but he has a level of expertise about martial arts and weaponry that most teens do not posses. Alex is a likable protagonist, he is brave, smart and has bouts of insecurity that appeals to readers. Working successfully through his insecurities provides the action and character development while being entertaining as well.
Reader's Annotation:
Alex is expected to follow into the family business. How hard can it be, right?
Information About the Author:
Anthony Horowitz had a horrible childhood.Born in England and part of a wealthy family, he was overweight, unhappy and lived at a boarding school. One positive to result from such unhappy circumstances was Anthony's ability to make up a good story. The very popular Alex Rider series is celebrating it's tenth year and has also been made into a movie in 2006. To date there are eight Alex Rider novels, one more just completed will finish the series.
The newest series from Anthony Horowitz is The Power of Five, a supernatural thriller with a boy protagonist. Also part of Anthony's resume is writing for television including Foyle's War and an episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot.
Genre:
Adventure/Espionage and Terrorism
Curriculum Ties:
Espionage
Terrorism
Children doing adult's work
Booktalking Ideas:
Could you avenge a family members death?
The ability to work under pressure, knowing it is life and death.
Would you be able to kill someone in self defense?
Reading Level/Interest Age:
9th +
Challenge Issues:
None
Why Include This Book?
A teen boy who usually only uses the computers recommended this book. I wanted to read it to be able to have a conversation with him.
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