The recruit
(Book)

The first book in Muchamore's CHERUB series, a bestselling line in the U.K. since 2004, offers an enjoyable mix of action and teen drama, while avoiding some of the wackiness that can plague teen spy novels. When 11-year-old James is orphaned after his petty criminal mother dies, he comes to the attention of CHERUB, a spy agency that only uses minors as agents, because kids make such unlikely suspects. Much of the novel is standard spy training stuff, including a grueling boot camp (complete with a relentlessly tough and sadistic instructor), bonding sequences with his fellow recruits, and a first mission that goes awry. In this case, that mission involves infiltrating a camp of ex-hippies who are planning to attack oil company executives. If the plot is predictable, Muchamore presents both the spies and the dangers they face realistically, avoiding over-the-top gadgets sand slapstick. Well-fleshed out minor characters-including James's training partner/crush, as well as his sister-help elevate the story above the standard fare. Ages 12-up. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Recruited into CHERUB, a secret division of British Intelligence made up of adolescent spies, James successfully completes his training and tackles his first mission, infiltrating a commune that is planning to release anthrax. The narrative tends to explain thoughts and motivations rather than letting James's actions speak for themselves, but its fast pace and teen-spy action will grab readers' attention. Copyright 2010 of The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.

The first book in Muchamore's CHERUB series, a bestselling line in the U.K. since 2004, offers an enjoyable mix of action and teen drama, while avoiding some of the wackiness that can plague teen spy novels. When 11-year-old James is orphaned after his petty criminal mother dies, he comes to the attention of CHERUB, a spy agency that only uses minors as agents, because kids make such unlikely suspects. Much of the novel is standard spy training stuff, including a grueling boot camp (complete with a relentlessly tough and sadistic instructor), bonding sequences with his fellow recruits, and a first mission that goes awry. In this case, that mission involves infiltrating a camp of ex-hippies who are planning to attack oil company executives. If the plot is predictable, Muchamore presents both the spies and the dangers they face realistically, avoiding over-the-top gadgets sand slapstick. Well-fleshed out minor characters—including James's training partner/crush, as well as his sister—help elevate the story above the standard fare. Ages 12–up. (Apr.)