Fledgling

Gr 5—7—Set during the 1960s and 1970s, the novel follows Jason Steed from his birth, which caused his mother's death and created a rift between him and his father, to a critical mission he accidentally joins at age 11. Jason is almost superhuman: his martial arts skills across several styles are amazing, his linguistic ability incredible, and his tenacity and resolve, even at age five, are impressive. But despite his amazing skills and his knack for getting himself into places and organizations where he shouldn't be, Jason has normal emotions: he craves his father's love, he develops firm friendships, he takes a stand against bullies, and he mourns when he cannot prevent the deaths of his friends. The action is fast, and the spy and military aspects of the Sea Cadets, a British organization that trains youngsters for the military, seem designed to appeal to reluctant male readers. The novel is violent, particularly in Jason's final (and accidental) mission, and the deaths that impact him are handled with grace, even while physical injuries are graphically described. The writing is a little unpolished, and Jason's maturity and abilities are over the top, but the adventure is exactly on target for the intended audience.—Alana Joli Abbott, formerly at James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT