Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz Date of Publication: 2000 ISBN: 0698119320 Number of Pages: 192

REQUIRED READING ABILITY: Average
GENRES: Mystery, Adventure, Realism
THEMES: Life versus Death, Responsibility, Coming of Age, Survival, Good versus Evil, Appearance versus Reality, Revenge, Prejudice

SUMMARY:
Alex Rider is orphaned at the tender age of 14. His uncle, the only family member he had, was killed in an auto accident…or was he?

The police tell Alex that his uncle Ian was not wearing a seatbelt and was killed in a truck/car accident late one evening. Alex cannot accept this as the truth. His uncle ALWAYS wore his belt and was very conscious of safety. A few other unsettling details appear at and after his uncle's funeral, and Alex is convinced that his uncle was more than just an overseas banker for England.

The more Alex digs for the truth, the deeper involved he becomes in Ian's secret life. He soon discovers that his uncle was really a secret agent for MI6 – Britain's top-secret Intelligence Service – and now Alex must join them to unearth his uncle's killers.

Is all this too much for a young teen? How can a 14-year-old become a spy…a young James Bond? Can Alex survive this dangerous mission? Will he bring his uncle's killers to justice? He’d better…because his very life depends on it.

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? A kid who...

• enjoys books about spies and teenage heroes
• likes adventure and suspense stories
• is able to suspend disbelief and just get wrapped up in the storyline
• likes stories that have male protagonists
• doesn't mind that this young boy is living in truly adult situations and is able to handle himself better than most adults can
• has dreams of being a hero/spy
• doesn’t mind violent death scene

WHAT ELSE?
This is truly a thriller! Students cannot put it down once they begin the read, and it is perfect for reluctant readers of both sexes. The rest of the Alex Rider Series is just as engaging and there are now six titles on shelves, and a movie being made.
This is a very enjoyable and quick read, as it is non-stop action from beginning to end. Alex is totally likable and most students are able to relate with him, despite his exciting and risky life. Be warned that students who have recently lost a family member might find Ian’s death and Alex’s orphaned state upsetting. This novel never digs too deep into emotions and/or levels beyond the plot and action, however, so it shouldn’t be too upsetting. That lack of depth makes it less than absorbing for your higher-level students to discuss in literature circles, so try to encourage them to other choices if possible.

RELATED LINKS:
Author Bibliography and Brief Biography
Anthony Horowitz Teacher's Notes