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First Strike

by Justin Richards
224p. 978-0-39925-240-2.
COPY ISBN
Gr 9-Up Each film on these widely abused substances is organized into three to five chapters specific to each drug, preceded by a common introduction. The chapters deal with the drug's short- and long-term effects on the body and the brain, and the environmental and genetic risk factors of addiction. In all the programs, professionals from the Drug Enforcement Administration and The National Institute on Drug Abuse give expert testimony on the use and effects of the drugs. The explanations are illustrated with 3-D animation of the human body and brain. Users are shown injecting, smoking, sniffing, and drinking the substances. The legitimate current and historic use of each drug is explained, as well as its origin and required processing. Illustrations and explanations of how hormones such as endorphins, dopamine, and encephalin work are redundant from program to program, but each film does stand on its own and would be useful in health classes based on the specific challenges of the community.-"Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Prep., San Jose, CA" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.
With Justin Richards. The Chance Twins, Rich and Jade, find themselves ensnared in another nonstop adventure as a terrorist group from China takes the White House hostage in an attempt to gain American nuclear launch codes. The breathless chase never lets up, giving spy-adventure fans the action they crave.
A fast and fun read, packed with chase scenes, hidden passageways, and cheeky banter. Jack Higgins and Justin Richards have a talent for making even the most elaborate action scenes easy to visualize and follow. The characters are delightfully inventive. At one point, Jade uses the president’s heart monitor to relay messages in Morse code. At another, a family friend uses his fake leg to evade and attack the enemy. Readers will enjoy vicariously discovering and exploring secret rooms and tunnels in the White House. First Strike makes international relations seem exciting—and following the news an important requisite for adventure.

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