Stormbreaker

Stormbreaker

By Anthony Horowitz

Philomel Books, 2001. 192 pages. Adventure.

ISBN: 9780399236204

Reading/Interest Level: Ages 10+

Curriculum ties: N/A

Booktalk Ideas: Classified/Top Secret: You grew up thinking you had a normal life with a normal family, only to discover that espionage is in your blood.

Challenge Issues: N/A

Challenge Response: First Defense File

Reader’s Annotation:

When his uncle dies under what Alex Rider feels are suspicious circumstances, he begins investigating, only to discover that his uncle was actually a major spy! It’s up to Alex to pick up on the mission where his uncle left off.

Plot Summary:

When Alex Rider finds out that his uncle was killed in a car accident because he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, Alex finds it strange. He decides to investigate and when he finds his uncle’s car discovers that it wasn’t destroyed, but has a bullet hole in it. Clearly something fishy is going on.

Alex goes to his uncle’s place of employment to investigate further, and discovers that the bank he supposedly worked for, is actually a front for an MI6 spying operation. Alex’s uncle was killed while on a mission and now they need someone to take up the spot.

Luckily, Alex is the perfect candidate. MI6 is investigating something suspicious with a new computer for students called the Stormbreaker. Alex must pose as someone else to gain access to the supercomputer and figure out what exactly it is meant to do, because it’s not going to act as advertised.

Critical Evaluation:

Plot wise this book is very contrived and has little basis in reality, but the story itself is intense and action packed. Think James Bond for kids. The chapters were short, which made this an easy book to get through because you couldn’t help but think, well, on more chapter. Why not? It’s extremely exciting with many various near death experiences and close call situations.

When it comes to the technology Alex used, this book is very clearly dated. Advances in technology are rapid and it’s almost comical when Alex uses his Game Boy Color as a weapon. That being said, readers probably won’t care. While it’s possible that some readers may not know what a Game Boy Color is, they’ll probably be able to figure out it’s a hand held game simply by the context. Horowitz used what was modern at the time, but unfortunately things have changed so much in the 13 years since the book was published that spy gadgets today are far different than what they would have been then.

About the Author:

Anthony Horowitz is one of the most prolific and successful writers working in the UK – and is unique for working across so many media. Anthony is a born polymath; juggling writing books, TV series, films, plays and journalism.

Anthony has written over 40 books including the bestselling teen spy series Alex Rider, which he adapted into a movie that was released worldwide in 2006. The Alex Rider series is estimated to have sold 19 million copies worldwide. Anthony is also an acclaimed writer for adults and was commissioned by the Conan Doyle Estate and Orion Books to write a new Sherlock Holmes novel. The House of Silk was published in November 2011 and was internationally lauded as the top title of the autumn. He is currently working on the sequel. His highly anticipated novel, Oblivion, the epic conclusion to the Power of Five series, was published in October 2012.

Anthony is responsible for creating and writing some of the UK’s most beloved and successful television series, producing the first seven episodes (and the title) of Midsomer Murders. He is the writer and creator of award-winning drama series Foyle’s War, which was the Winner of the Lew Grade Audience award for BAFTA. DCS Foyle was voted the nation’s favourite detective in 2011. Anthony has also written other original complex dramas for ITV, particularly thrillers. Collision, a major five part “state of the nation” piece was transmitted on ITV1 in November 2009 to seven million viewers a night. He followed this with the equally successful legal thriller Injustice, also for ITV 1 - transmitted in June 2011. Foyle’s War returned in March 2013 as a Cold War thriller and was greeted with such critical acclaim and demands for more – that he is now working on another new series

Anthony recently joined the board of the Old Vic. He regularly contributes to a wide variety of national newspapers and magazines on subjects ranging from politics to education. He has been a patron to East Anglia Children’s Hospices and the anti-bullying charity, Kidscape, since 2008.

Anthony was awarded an OBE for his services to literature in January 2014.

-from author’s website-

Justification of Selection:

This book is an exciting read that, even though it may be geared more for younger teens and tweens, will appeal to low level readers and get them excited about reading. Especially for kids to like spy movies like James Bond, this is an excellent option. This book has also won several awards and been made into graphic novel, movie, and video game. It can serve as a bridge for teens to explore different literacies.