Alex Rider, the gadgets : [blueprints and complete technical data]
(Book)

Gr. 5-8. Horowitz, using the voice of M16 covert weapons specialist Derek Smithers, details the gadgets he developed for 14-year-old spy Alex Rider during his first five adventures. For each device Smithers clarifies the setting in which the contrivance was used, offers a detailed description of its operation, and provides a labeled schematic diagram. The inventions, engineered with wonderful kid-appeal, include a high-tensile yo-yo, a radio mouth brace, and an exploding ear stud. Smithers emphasizes that none of the M16 gadgets are deadly (Alex is, after all, still a boy), although he also describes Scorpia's pizza delivery assassin kit and the CIA Geiger counter games console. Horowitz/Smithers' frequently tongue-in-cheek commentary will remind young readers that these gadgets are still the stuff of fiction, although an appended glossary of scientific and technical terms makes it clear that the contraptions aren't that far-fetched. A sure bet for Alex Rider's many fans; classes teaching technical writing may also find this an interesting model. --Kay Weisman Copyright 2006 Booklist

For fans of the Alex Rider series, Anthony Horowitz offers a nifty paper-over-board handbook, Alex Rider: The Gadgets, an overview of "all devices used by [the hero] on his first five missions." An opening memo from Alan Blunt expresses concern that these inventions from Scorpia could fall into the wrong hands, and with good reason-each gadget gets (at least) a spread with gatefold, showing precisely how each works, from the Cutter CD Player used to penetrate Point Blanc Academy to the Geiger Counter Games Console that the CIA gave to Alex for his trip to Cuba. This will serve as the perfect segue to Alex Rider's sixth assignment, Ark Angel, in which eco-terrorists target this titular hotel, the first luxury lodgings in outer space, as an environmental threat. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Gr 5-10-Since Alex Rider is a teenage spy, the gadget inventors must come up with various devices that someone his age would logically have in his possession. The resulting equipment includes a hand-held game console, radio mouth brace, a pizza-delivery assassin kit, etc. Each device is shown in blueprint format, with a brief explanation of its purpose. The cases in which the gadgets appeared are referenced, so readers can now visualize how Alex got out of the scrapes he got into. A glossary explains the key scientific terms used in the explanations. A must-have for fans of the adventure/mystery series.-Lynn Evarts, Sauk Prairie High School, Prairie du Sac, WI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr. 5-8. Horowitz, using the voice of M16 covert weapons specialist Derek Smithers, details the gadgets he developed for 14-year-old spy Alex Rider during his first five adventures. For each device Smithers clarifies the setting in which the contrivance was used, offers a detailed description of its operation, and provides a labeled schematic diagram. The inventions, engineered with wonderful kid-appeal, include a high-tensile yo-yo, a radio mouth brace, and an exploding ear stud. Smithers emphasizes that none of the M16 gadgets are deadly (Alex is, after all, still a boy), although he also describes Scorpia's pizza delivery assassin kit and the CIA Geiger counter games console. Horowitz/Smithers' frequently tongue-in-cheek commentary will remind young readers that these gadgets are still the stuff of fiction, although an appended glossary of scientific and technical terms makes it clear that the contraptions aren't that far-fetched. A sure bet for Alex Rider's many fans; classes teaching technical writing may also find this an interesting model. ((Reviewed April 1, 2006)) Copyright 2006 Booklist Reviews.

For fans of the Alex Rider series, Anthony Horowitz offers a nifty paper-over-board handbook, Alex Rider: The Gadgets, an overview of "all devices used by [the hero] on his first five missions." An opening memo from Alan Blunt expresses concern that these inventions from Scorpia could fall into the wrong hands, and with good reason-each gadget gets (at least) a spread with gatefold, showing precisely how each works, from the Cutter CD Player used to penetrate Point Blanc Academy to the Geiger Counter Games Console that the CIA gave to Alex for his trip to Cuba. This will serve as the perfect segue to Alex Rider's sixth assignment, Ark Angel, in which eco-terrorists target this titular hotel, the first luxury lodgings in outer space, as an environmental threat. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Gr 5-10 -Since Alex Rider is a teenage spy, the gadget inventors must come up with various devices that someone his age would logically have in his possession. The resulting equipment includes a hand-held game console, radio mouth brace, a pizza-delivery assassin kit, etc. Each device is shown in blueprint format, with a brief explanation of its purpose. The cases in which the gadgets appeared are referenced, so readers can now visualize how Alex got out of the scrapes he got into. A glossary explains the key scientific terms used in the explanations. A must-have for fans of the adventure/mystery series.-Lynn Evarts, Sauk Prairie High School, Prairie du Sac, WI