The Blood Guard

Gr 5–8—Ronan Truelove (please don't use his given name, Evelyn!) would like to believe he is a typical 13-year-old. But most 13-year-olds are not trained in krav maga, trapeze, and fencing. When bad guys show up, Ronan's mother reveals that she is a member of the Blood Guard, and instructs Ronan to board a specific train and trust no one. The action and humor never flag as Ronan locates gently sarcastic Jack Dawson, joins up with lockpicker/firearms expert Greta, and tries to stay alive as they make their way to safety in Washington, DC. The ending clearly indicates more books to come. Nick Podehl's fabulous narration will keep listeners on the edge of their seats. His accents and pitches bring the characters to life, from spunky Greta to threatening adults and Dawson's wry "English bloke" tone to nervous foster kid Sammy. With an action-packed story line, diverse and non-stereotypical characters, frequent humor, and Podehl's captivating accents, this book is easy to recommend for any public or school library with an audiobook collection.—Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX