Boy Nobody

Book Cover
Average Rating
Publisher
Little, Brown
Publication Date
2013.
Language
English

Description

They needed the perfect assassin.Boy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school, the one few notice and nobody thinks much about. He shows up in a new high school in a new town under a new name, makes a few friends, and doesn't stay long. Just long enough for someone in his new friend's family to die -- of "natural causes." Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, moving on to the next target. But when he's assigned to the mayor of New York City, things change. The daughter is unlike anyone he has encountered before; the mayor reminds him of his father. And when memories and questions surface, his handlers at The Program are watching. Because somewhere deep inside, Boy Nobody is somebody: the kid he once was; the teen who wants normal things, like a real home and parents; a young man who wants out. And who just might want those things badly enough to sabotage The Program's mission.In this action-packed series debut, author Allen Zadoff pens a page-turning thriller that is as thought-provoking as it is gripping, introducing an utterly original and unforgettable antihero.

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ISBN
9780316199681

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Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Though set in very different times and places -- Unknown Assassin takes place in near-future America and His Fair Assassin takes place in 15th-century France -- these compelling novels feature young, unwilling female assassins in the thrall of dark forces. -- Jennifer Brannen
Teenaged assassins star in these socially aware novels of rebellion and identity set in grim dystopian landscapes. Featuring plenty of action and suspense, both series include a touch of romance and a growing understanding of the responsibilities of adulthood. -- Jennifer Brannen
The lives of covert operatives -- an assassin in Unknown Assassin and a spy in Alex Rider - drive these action-packed tales. Though Assassin is more gruesome and Rider's protagonist is more likable, both series are suspenseful and crackle with excitement. -- Jennifer Brannen
These series have the genre "thrillers and suspense"; and the subjects "assassins," "teenage boys," and "teenage assassins."
These series have the appeal factors suspenseful, action-packed, and fast-paced, and they have the subjects "assassins" and "conspiracies."
These series have the appeal factors suspenseful, action-packed, and fast-paced, and they have the genres "thrillers and suspense" and "techno-thrillers"; and the subjects "assassins," "teenage boys," and "human experimentation in medicine."
These series have the appeal factors suspenseful, action-packed, and fast-paced, and they have the subjects "assassins," "teenage boys," and "sixteen-year-old girls."
These series have the appeal factors suspenseful, fast-paced, and intricately plotted, and they have the subjects "teenage boys" and "teenagers."
These series have the appeal factors action-packed, gruesome, and fast-paced, and they have the subjects "assassins," "teenage boys," and "seventeen-year-old boys."
These series have the appeal factors suspenseful, action-packed, and fast-paced.
These series have the theme "lost and altered memories"; and the genre "thrillers and suspense."
These series have the appeal factors suspenseful, action-packed, and fast-paced.
These series have the appeal factors suspenseful, action-packed, and fast-paced, and they have the subjects "assassins," "teenage boys," and "conspiracies."
These series have the appeal factors suspenseful, action-packed, and fast-paced, and they have the subjects "assassins" and "teenage boys."
These series have the appeal factors action-packed and fast-paced, and they have the subjects "assassins," "teenage boys," and "secret societies."
These series have the appeal factors action-packed, and they have the subjects "assassins," "teenage boys," and "secret societies."

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NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These books have the appeal factors intricately plotted, and they have the genres "thrillers and suspense" and "mysteries"; and the subject "kidnapping."
NoveList recommends "Hit (Delilah S. Dawson)" for fans of "Unknown assassin". Check out the first book in the series.
How to lead a life of crime - Miller, Kirsten
In both fast-paced spy thrillers, orphaned teen guys use a variety of high-tech gadgetry as they are sent by shadowy organizations on dangerous missions. -- Kathy Stewart
Though they're trained to follow orders, the teen assassins in these gripping reads find themselves wondering if they're on the right side…or if a right side even exists. Dear Killer is chilling and gruesome, while Boy Nobody is more action-packed. -- Rebecca Honeycutt
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Though Ben (Boy) is an assassin, and Grace (Lies) is a con artist, both find themselves falling for someone whose lives they are to destroy. These books are suspenseful, compelling, and fast-paced, with some steamy romance. Sequels follow. -- Lindsey Dunn
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Twilight, the graphic novel, vol. 1 - Kim, Young
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Plot twists and non-stop, taut pacing amp up the adrenaline in both suspenseful stories in which teens are working with organizations in which crime and espionage are not only condoned, they're essential. -- Kathy Stewart

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Though Zadoff is known more for humor than Tharp, both authors create compelling, character-driven fiction about boys who are navigating the uncertainties of their teen years. Both authors address issues like family tensions, social pressure, and romantic relationships from a male perspective. -- Kelly White
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Published Reviews

Booklist Review

Boy Nobody is a coldly dispassionate teenage assassin working for a mysterious organization called the Program. When it assigns him his next mission to assassinate the mayor of New York it seems at first like business as usual. But then he meets Sam, the mayor's beautiful daughter. Suddenly, his mission is abruptly changed, and all bets are off. The formerly obedient Boy Nobody begins asking questions that are dangerous to his mission and to himself. Readers may question that a teenager is capable of playing the role assigned to Boy Nobody, but books like these require a suspension of disbelief, and most readers will be willing to make that suspension for the sake of the fast-paced plot and the surprisingly sympathetic protagonist. Operating in the tradition of both James Bond and of Robert Cormier's I Am the Cheese (1977), Boy Nobody is an auspicious first volume in a promised new series of action-adventure thrillers that will keep readers clamoring for more.--Cart, Michael Copyright 2010 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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Publisher's Weekly Review

Zadoff (Since You Left Me) switches gears and shines in this violent, entertaining twist on the teen spy novel. His unnamed 16-year-old protagonist lost his identity when he was kidnapped and his parents murdered. Forced into a grueling training program, the teen now gets sent on undercover missions, befriending the children of powerful targets, getting invited to their houses, and killing their parents. He never questions his orders or actions until he's given five days to infiltrate a ritzy private school and kill the mayor of New York City. Between the unreasonably short timetable and his attraction to Sam, the mayor's gorgeous half- Israeli daughter, he begins to wonder about his purpose and question the secretive Program that has trained and groomed him. Zadoff doesn't break new ground, but he builds a tense and exciting story with a strong cast; Sam's overprotective friend Darius and her frenemy Erica, in particular, are more complex than is typical for characters in those roles. If Zadoff occasionally pushes it with the gadgety spycraft, the blunt and hard-edged narration and twists will keep readers riveted. Ages 15-up. Agent: Stuart Krichevsky, Stuart Krichevsky Agency. (June)? (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
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School Library Journal Review

Gr 9 Up-In this fast-paced thriller, readers quickly learn that 16-year-old "Boy Nobody," a Jason Bourne-like assassin, doesn't have friends. He receives his assignments from a clandestine group called "The Program." Intelligent and skilled in combat, he's been trained to ignore sentiment and emotion in favor of finely tuned instincts and intuition to kill. But nagging questions about his past, The Program, and his role in it are brought to the forefront when his handlers, "Mother" and "Father," give him a new mission on an accelerated time line. The latest target is beautiful Sam Goldberg's father, who's also the lauded mayor of New York City. This novel is predominately narrated by Boy Nobody in first-person present tense (save for the occasional revelatory flashback). The teen characters are world-weary and mature, but at the same time realistically vulnerable and susceptible to manipulation. Sex is suggested or happens off page. With short, action-filled chapters, this is a good choice for reluctant readers. It reads much like popular adult thrillers and will certainly find its way into the hands of guys, but also holds appeal for any suspense-novel fan. Unresolved mysteries and an open-ended conclusion make this a promising start to an exciting new series.-Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJ (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Horn Book Review

Assassin Boy Nobody serves a mysterious organization called The Program, assuming new identities to get close to his targets. When an assignment involving the mayor of New York stirs up memories of Boy Nobody's past, it complicates his mission. Zadoff's action-packed text suffers from excessive exposition, but the book's intriguing concept and unanswered questions set up anticipation for future installments. (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Kirkus Book Review

An unnamed teen assassin finds himself torn between a girl and his mission. Zadoff's 16-year-old protagonist saw the life of his father ripped away by a close friend when he was 12. Since then, he's been under the employ of "Mother" and "Father," the heads of an organization that uses children as hired killers. He's one of the best: He's professional and always finishes the job smoothly and cleanly without a mess. The killings all have low levels of blood and gore and usually look like accidents so he can escape the scene without any suspicion. When he's charged with taking out the mayor of New York City, however, things get complicatedespecially when he crushes on the mayor's daughter, who goes to his school. Zadoff's chapters are short, staccato and to-the-point, mirroring the narrative voice of his protagonist. His paragraphs rarely run over four lines long. His nameless, tough-as-nails lead character has just the right balance of cunning, heart and conscience to win the respect and admiration of many teen readers, even reluctant ones. The plot speeds along seamlessly with plenty of action and drama, and hairpin turns will keep readers guessing; a twist in the end will have them begging for more. Fast, furious and fun. (Thriller. 14 up)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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Booklist Reviews

Boy Nobody is a coldly dispassionate teenage assassin working for a mysterious organization called the Program. When it assigns him his next mission—to assassinate the mayor of New York—it seems at first like business as usual. But then he meets Sam, the mayor's beautiful daughter. Suddenly, his mission is abruptly changed, and all bets are off. The formerly obedient Boy Nobody begins asking questions that are dangerous to his mission and to himself. Readers may question that a teenager is capable of playing the role assigned to Boy Nobody, but books like these require a suspension of disbelief, and most readers will be willing to make that suspension for the sake of the fast-paced plot and the surprisingly sympathetic protagonist. Operating in the tradition of both James Bond and of Robert Cormier's I Am the Cheese (1977), Boy Nobody is an auspicious first volume in a promised new series of action-adventure thrillers that will keep readers clamoring for more. Copyright 2013 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2013 Booklist Reviews.
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Publishers Weekly Reviews

Zadoff (Since You Left Me) switches gears and shines in this violent, entertaining twist on the teen spy novel. His unnamed 16-year-old protagonist lost his identity when he was kidnapped and his parents murdered. Forced into a grueling training program, the teen now gets sent on undercover missions, befriending the children of powerful targets, getting invited to their houses, and killing their parents. He never questions his orders or actions until he's given five days to infiltrate a ritzy private school and kill the mayor of New York City. Between the unreasonably short timetable and his attraction to Sam, the mayor's gorgeous half- Israeli daughter, he begins to wonder about his purpose and question the secretive Program that has trained and groomed him. Zadoff doesn't break new ground, but he builds a tense and exciting story with a strong cast; Sam's overprotective friend Darius and her frenemy Erica, in particular, are more complex than is typical for characters in those roles. If Zadoff occasionally pushes it with the gadgety spycraft, the blunt and hard-edged narration and twists will keep readers riveted. Ages 15–up. Agent: Stuart Krichevsky, Stuart Krichevsky Agency. (June)¦

[Page ]. Copyright 2013 PWxyz LLC

Copyright 2013 PWxyz LLC
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School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 9 Up—In this fast-paced thriller, readers quickly learn that 16-year-old "Boy Nobody," a Jason Bourne-like assassin, doesn't have friends. He receives his assignments from a clandestine group called "The Program." Intelligent and skilled in combat, he's been trained to ignore sentiment and emotion in favor of finely tuned instincts and intuition to kill. But nagging questions about his past, The Program, and his role in it are brought to the forefront when his handlers, "Mother" and "Father," give him a new mission on an accelerated time line. The latest target is beautiful Sam Goldberg's father, who's also the lauded mayor of New York City. This novel is predominately narrated by Boy Nobody in first-person present tense (save for the occasional revelatory flashback). The teen characters are world-weary and mature, but at the same time realistically vulnerable and susceptible to manipulation. Sex is suggested or happens off page. With short, action-filled chapters, this is a good choice for reluctant readers. It reads much like popular adult thrillers and will certainly find its way into the hands of guys, but also holds appeal for any suspense-novel fan. Unresolved mysteries and an open-ended conclusion make this a promising start to an exciting new series.—Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJ

[Page 146]. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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