Horowitz, Anthony. Stormbreaker.
Philomel Books; 2006,
ISBN: 0142406112.
Reader’s Annotation
Alex knows that his Ian was a spy killed in the middle of a dangerous mission to stop a terror attack against Britain’s school children—now he finds out that he must take over where his uncle left off.
Plot Summary
When Alex rider gets word that his Uncle Ian had been killed in a car accident, and that he hadn’t been wearing his seatbelt, Alex is immediately suspicious. His uncle/adopted parent always wore his seat belt. After a little investigating, Alex discovers that Ian Rider was murdered. Alex gets a visit from Alan Blunt and Mrs. Jones form Mi6, who proceeds to explain that not only was Ian Rider a spy, but he was killed in the middle of an assignment. They want Alex to pick up where his uncle left off. Alex’ uncle has trained him for years in skills that would serve a spy—Alex can speak five languages and is a black belt in karate. Alex agrees, and finds himself investigating Herod Sayle, an Egyptian billionaire who is donating, supposedly out of the goodness of his heart, Stormbreaker Computers to school children all over England. Sayle is set to give the computers in a ceremony with the Prime Minister, who will then activate the computers. Mi6 creates a ruse to get Alex into Sayle’s home in Cornwall. There, using clues left by his uncle, Alex finds a secreat computer manufacturing facility where computers are being tainted with the small pox virus, which will be spread when the PM presses the button to activate the computers. When Alex is discovered, Sayle leaves him in a giant tank with his deadly, pet Portuguese man-o-war. Alex manages to escape, and makes his way (via a stolen airplane) to the ceremony. But will Alex be in time to stop the virus from being released?
Critical Evaluation
A little bit like James Bond meets Harry Potter, Alex Rider makes for a fun, adventurous character. Definitely larger than life, the story is really character driven and fortified with cool escape maneuvers and high-tech gadgetry. Still, the use of a network of donated computers as a means of terrorist attack is cleverly done, and brings the action to a personal level for teen readers. Stormbreaker is book 1 in the Alex Rider series.
Information about the Author
From the time he was eight, Anthony Horowitz knew that he wanted to be a writer. Born in England in 1956, Horowitz was part of a wealthy family. When Anthony’s father faced bankruptcy, however, he put the family wealth in an account under a pseudonym. He died before he told anyone, and the family was never able to find the money. Horowitz, overweight and lonely as a child, loved to read. When he was sent to boarding school, he would entertain he schoolmates by telling them his favorite stories, especially Frankenstein and Dracula. He graduated from the Univeristy of York with a B.A. in literature in 1977, and he now lives in London with his wife Jill, and two sons. For more information go to: Anthony Horowitz.
Action/Adventure
Curriculum Tie-ins
Booktalk Ideas
- Discuss the significance of Yassin’s appearance at the end. What do you think will happen next?
- Do you think an agency such as the CIA or Mi6 would ever really employ teens?
Reading level/Interest age
Young Adult (ages 12+)
Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas
Some violence
- Present the library’s selection policy
- Refer to ALA Intellectual Freedom resources
Why I included this work
- New York Times #1 Children's Bestseller
- School Library Journal Best Books
- YALSA Best Book
- ALA Notable Book
Great Quote from the Book:
The assassin Yassin: "Believe me, It would be better if we didn't meet again. Go back to school. Go back to your life. And next time they ask you, say no. Killing is for grown-ups and your still a child."
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