Adventure: Trackers

Patrick Carman's newest series starts with a police interview: the kind you never want to be in. Eighth grader Adam Henderson is a computer prodigy. He's been building and fixing computers at his dad's shop in Seattle since he was nine years old: he's so good that even Microsoft brings their machines to the Hendersons for repair.

But sometimes being smart can get you in trouble. Adam and his friends Finn, Emily and Lewis are developing surveillance technology that they hope to sell to the government for millions. Adam believes his tech is so advanced that he can find anyone, anywhere. When a training mission goes wrong and a secret puzzle is revealed to Adam alone, the four kids find themselves in way over their heads...with no way to back out. If they don't find the person they're seeking, the entire world's electronic systems could be compromised: and they'd be to blame.

Trackers is written in a short, interview format that includes interrogation questions and short video clips that can be accessed online using codes from the book. This unique multimedia format is fantastic for reluctant readers, and makes this title a hit with tween and teen reluctant reader book groups. The technological details and espionage themes are also hits with boys: I can't think of many other books that are as perfectly packaged for reading support, while still retaining the bones of a strong story.

The first in a planned series, Trackers will be followed by the sequel Shantorian in December 2010.

Adventure fiction
Grades 5-9
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