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Young adult book reviews for ages 12 and up - middle school and high school students




*The Project* by Brian Falkner - young adult book review  
The Project
by Brian Falkner
Ages 12-15 288 pages Random House August 2011 Hardcover    

Combining terrific science fiction with a bit of alternative history, Brian Falkner’s The Project is an exciting adventure which begins with “the most boring book in the world.”

Fifteen-year-old friends living in Iowa, Luke and Tommy, are assigned to read yet another dull book—The Last of the Mohicans. After a little Internet research, they learn that a 19th-century book, Leonardo’s River, is considered the most boring book in the world. Only one copy was ever printed, and it is extremely valuable.

When their town is inundated by a flood, the boys help to protect the university library by loading sand bags and moving books out of the library basement. In the rush of the emergency, they recognize Leonardo’s River and later go back to retrieve the book. At this point they hear voices talking in German and discover that someone else is also after the book. Shortly thereafter, their teacher is kidnapped.

At this point, the plot expands and the pace picks up as the boys learn that the survivors of the Nazi group known as the Werewolves have made an archaeological discovery of a time machine designed by Leonardo DaVinci. Leonardo’s River contains the code to making the machine work.

If they can make the machine work, the Werewolves can take the technology of the atom bomb back to Hitler and Germany will win the war. Tommy and Luke must go back in time to save the world from a terrible fate.

Falkner masterfully employs an element of suspense at the end of each of his relatively short chapters, begging the reader to continue to find out what happens next. Young readers will enjoy the twists and turns of the plot, and especially the special skills and devices used by the boys to succeed in their mission. Tommy has a photographic memory and happens to be a descendent from the Amana community in Iowa, so he speaks and understands German. He also has a significant collection of spy gadgets which allows them to stealthily spy on the enemy and steal important documents.

Recommended for readers fascinated by both science and history or any young teenager looking for an action-packed science fiction adventure with a touch of mystery.
 
Young adult book reviews for ages 12 and up - middle school and high school students

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  Kristine Wildner/2011 for curled up with a good kid's book  






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