The Doomsday Box

Gr 5—9—Building on an urban legend about U.S. World War II-era time-travel experiments, Brennan crafts a plot around the dangers of time travel and germ warfare. In this sequel to The Shadow Project (HarperCollins, 2010), his four modern British teens are sent to 1962 to warn a CIA operative that his future actions will unleash a deadly plague that will destroy civilization. With the fate of humanity resting squarely on their young shoulders, the protagonists are pushed through a secret time portal on Long Island and land in Langley, VA, at the height of the Cold War. From there it is on to Soviet Russia, hot on the heels of secret agent "Cobra," who is working under deep cover. The book doesn't really succeed as science fiction but the spy angle will attract some readers. While several plot elements stretch credulity to very near the breaking point, there is plenty of action with harrowing chases and even some good, old-fashioned KGB torture. That, along with the "only these kids can save the world" theme, will attract readers looking for a quick, entertaining adventure. Fans of Robert Muchamore's "Cherub" series (S & S) and Anthony Horowitz's "Alex Rider" books (Philomel) may enjoy this one.—Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School, CA