Stormbreaker : the Graphic Novel by Anthony Horowitz and others

Horowitz, A. (2006). Stormbreaker: The Graphic Novel (Alex Rider) (p. 144). Philomel.

ISBN : 0399246339

$14.99 paperback


Reader's Annotation: Alex Rider attempts to avenge his murdered uncle by helping a British spy agency stop a terrorist from unleashing a deadly virus.


Summary: An adaptation of the book by the same title. Alex Rider knows something is suspicious about the car accident that killed his uncle, and only living relative. But he is surprised to discover his uncle, whom he always knew as a banker, is actually a spy for Britan's top spy agency, MI6. Even more surprising, the MI6 folks want Alex's help. He's given a bit of training, and sent in to finish the mission his uncle started. Darrius Sayle is an entrepreneur who has developed a new supercomputer, the Stormbreaker. He's offered to give one to every school in Britain, and a ceremony has been planned to commemorate the occasion, with the Prime Minister flicking the switch to activate all the computers at once. The MI6 officers think there is more to Sayle than generosity, and it's up to Alex to find out what the computer are really supposed to do.


Genre: adventure, series, action




Series : Two Alex Rider graphic novels have been published to date:

  1. Stormbreaker
  2. Point Blank

Evaluation: Having read this back to back with the novel, I was rather put out by the changes that were made to the story. With a bit of research, I decided the graphic novel was closer in plot to the movie version than the novel version of the story. I enjoyed the graphic novel more than the book, even with the changes.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: Having another version of this popular story in a tween collection would be a good idea. Tweens who have read the book might pick up the graphic novel, and reluctant readers could be drawn to the novel via the graphic novel version.

Readalikes :
  • Hardy Boys graphic novels by Scott Lobdell
  • Redwall graphic novels by Brian Jacques
Other Useful Info:
Reviews:
From Booklist
An ode to rampant commercialism, this is not exactly based on Anthony Horowitz's thrill-a-second novel about 14-year-old Alex Rider, who discovers that his deceased uncle was a superspy and that Alex himself must face an evil businessman and his multitude of gruesome killers. No, this graphic novel springs from the screenplay for the recent movie, which is based on the novel--which, itself, is a clever compilation of James Bond movies. If it's possible, this is even more rapidly paced than the novel. Alex remains an appealing hero here, and the idea of a heroic teen up against insidious adults continues to be an extremely powerful draw for readers. The female art team casts the action in exciting manga style, and the digital colors produce an anime-like sense of depth and motion. Readers who already like Alex Rider will want this; even adventure lovers unfamiliar with the books will find it difficult to resist the hyperkinetic fun, although they may feel they have sold a bit of their souls to get it. Jesse Karp
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Horowitz, A. (2004). Stormbreaker (p. 256). Puffin.

ISBN : 014240165X

$17.99 hardback


Reader's Annotation: Alex Rider attempts to avenge his murdered uncle by helping a British spy agency stop a terrorist from unleashing a deadly virus.


Summary: Alex Rider knows something is suspicious about the car accident that killed his uncle, and only living relative. But he is surprised to discover his uncle, whom he always knew as a banker, is actually a spy for Britan's top spy agency, MI6. Even more surprising, the MI6 folks want Alex's help. He's given a bit of training, and sent in to finish the mission his uncle started. Herod Sayle is an entrepreneur who has developed a new supercomputer, the Stormbreaker. He's offered to give one to every school in Britain, and a ceremony has been planned to commemorate the occasion, with the Prime Minister flicking the switch to activate all the computers at once. The MI6 officers think there is more to Sayle than generosity, and it's up to Alex to find out what the computer are really supposed to do.


Genre: adventure, series, action






Series : Seven Alex Rider novels have been published to date:

  1. Stormbreaker
  2. Point Blank
  3. Skeleton Key
  4. Eagle Strike
  5. Scorpia
  6. Arkangel
  7. Snakehead

Evaluation: This was certainly a non-stop action sort of book. While it's not exactly my favorite sort of book, I would certainly have no trouble recommending it to readers in search of action adventure stories.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: This would be a great pick for a reluctant reader who craves action stories. There is no extraneous descriptions, the writing is tight and focused. Alex is a great hero, well trained and rarely complaining, smart and strong. Additionally, there are six more books to read after this one, plus graphic novel adapations and a movie tie in. With all the slick publicity surrounding these books, a tween collection without them would be unthinkable.

Readalikes :
  • Young James Bond books (Silverfin, etc) by Charlie Higson
  • Maxium Ride series by James Patterson
  • Among the Hidden series by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Other Useful Info:
Reviews:

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-9-Alex Rider's world is turned upside down when he discovers that his uncle and guardian has been murdered. The 14-year-old makes one discovery after another until he is sucked into his uncle's undercover world. The Special Operations Division of M16, his uncle's real employer, blackmails the teen into serving England. After two short weeks of training, Alex is equipped with several special toys like a Game Boy with unique cartridges that allow it to scan, fax, and emit smoke bombs. Alex's mission is to complete his uncle's last assignment, to discover the secret that Herod Sayle is hiding behind his generous donation of one of his supercomputers to every school in the country. When Alex enters Sayle's compound in Port Tallon, he discovers a strange world of secrets and villains including Mr. Grin, an ex-circus knife catcher, and Yassen Gregorovich, professional hit man. The novel provides bang after bang as Alex experiences and survives unbelievably dangerous episodes and eventually crashes through the roof of the Science Museum to save the day. Alex is a strong, smart hero. If readers consider luck the ruling factor in his universe, they will love this James Bond-style adventure. With short cliff-hanger chapters and its breathless pace, it is an excellent choice for reluctant readers. Warning: Suspend reality.

Lynn Bryant, formerly at Navarre High School, FL

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Mister Monday by Garth Nix

Nix, G. (2003). The Keys to the Kingdom, Book 1: Mister Monday (p. 368). Scholastic Paperbacks.

ISBN : 0439551234

$16.45 school and library binding


Reader's Annotation: Arthur Penhaligon discovers a key shaped like the minute hand of a clock. Mister Monday wants his key back, and Arthur's adventure begins.


Summary: Arthur Penhaligon is an unlikely, asthmatic hero. He was destined to die, until a small key, shaped like the minute hand of a clock, saves his life. The key was delivered by a stranger, Mister Monday, from another dimension, along with a plague that threatens to destroy the world Arthur knows. He takes the key into a house that only he can see, in an attempt to save everything he knows. This key is only the first of seven, and Arthur's adventures have only just begun.


Genre: fantasy





Series : First of seven books in the "Keys to the Kingdom" series.

  1. Mister Monday
  2. Grim Tuesday
  3. Drowned Wednesday
  4. Sir Thursday
  5. Lady Friday
  6. Superior Saturday
  7. Lord Sunday (not yet released)
Evaluation: I had been meaning to read this one for a while, given how popular they are with older readers in the Kids Room at my library. The cover art and clever titles have also appealed to me. I found the story very compelling at the start, I had a hard time tearing myself away from the book. As it went on though, my interest waned a little, and I found myself ready to get to the end. I'd read Tuesday, though, for certain.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: Readers finished with Harry Potter and looking for their next fantasy series would enjoy these books. The world is fully realized, the characters are approachable (boys and girls are friends, so far no romance) and while the violence is fairly tame, the overall timbre of the book is slightly dark, which makes it feel unlike a children's story. The plot and vocabulary are rich and varied, but not prohibitive. Additionally, the hero is asthmatic, which is an unusual character trait, and could possibly be inspiring to a reader with the same condition.

Readalikes :
  • The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster and Jules Feiffer (for younger tweens)
  • Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
  • The Wrinkle in Time books by Madeline L'Engle
  • The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula LeGuin
Other Useful Info:
Reviews:
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-Arthur Penhaligon's school year is not off to a good start. On his first day, he suffers an asthma attack while running cross country and dreams that a mysterious figure hands him a key shaped like the minute hand of a clock. However, when he wakes up, he still has the key. That's when strange things begin to happen. Mister Monday dispatches terrifying, dog-faced Fetchers to retrieve it, a bizarre sleeping illness sweeps the city, and only Arthur can see the weird new house that appears in his neighborhood. The seventh grader knows it all has something to do with the key, one of seven elusive fragments of the Will to which he has become heir apparent, and a mysterious atlas. When he ventures inside the house, he meets more strange characters than he could have imagined, none of whom are what they seem. And, of course, he must battle Monday, who will do anything to get the key back. With the help of the key, Arthur must fight his way out. The first in a seven part series for middle graders is every bit as exciting and suspenseful as the author's previous young adult novels. Readers will eagerly anticipate the sequels.
Ginny Collier, Dekalb County Public Library, Chamblee, GA

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