Investigating Julius Drake

Gr 7 Up—A coming-out story set against a backdrop of villainous online behavior. Henry Walker, 14, starts the year with a scholarship to a prestigious private school. He becomes intrigued by an eccentric classmate with a troubled reputation. As a self-described army brat whose father is currently deployed, Henry has a freedom from parental supervision that allows him to quickly become caught up in the investigations of the aloof and calculating Julius into the apparent suicide attempt of a bully who clashed with Henry in the cafeteria. Julius and Henry ultimately find themselves facing deadly peril as they attempt to draw out the culprit behind "The Other Woman," the online persona manipulating their classmates into danger. The protagonist's internal conflict around his identity and his resulting treatment of his new friends and a very temporary girlfriend provide moments of authenticity in this flawed novel. The pacing is inconsistent, with the suspense kicking in halfway through when the investigation heats up and heads toward a melodramatic climax. Consider this coming-of-age tale for collections seeking an addition with a more suspenseful tone than Tim Federle's heartwarming and humorous Five, Six, Seven, Nate! or Becky Albertalli's Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.