Playing with Fire by Bruce Hale. School for S.P.I.E.S. #1. Illustrated by Brandon Dorman. 306 p. Disney/ Hyperion, June, 2013. 9781423168508.
Publisher synopsis: Juvenile delinquent and budding pyromaniac Max Segredo belongs in juvie hall. At least, that's what his most recent foster family would tell you. Instead, Max ends up on the doorstep of Merry Sunshine Orphanage-their very heavily guarded doorstep. As he begins to acclimate to his new home, Max learns a few things straightaway: first, cracking a Caesar Cipher isn't as hard as it seems; second, never sass your instructor if she's also holding throwing knives; and third, he may not be an orphan after all. Soon, Max and the rest of the students are sent on a mission to keep a dangerous weapon out of the hands of LOTUS, an international group bent on world domination. Of course, all Max cares about is finding out more about his father, the man he's now sure is still alive. As the stakes get higher, Max must make some difficult choices, including who to trust, and finally learns the true meaning of family.
First Line: Max Segredo stood by the curb and watched his house burn.
Page 56: is an illustration in the arc. Here's a line from page 55.
"Hit the trigger (laser detection) and it snatches you right up in a steel claw" Stones shook his head admiringly, and his dreadlocks swayed like dancing snakes. " These blokes are thorough. They've got everything but lava and a shark pool."
The author's Chet Gecko series really cracked me up. When I worked in a K - 8 school, third and fourth graders loved them. Now that I'm in a 5 - 8 middle school, I have a harder time getting students to try one. This title should have appeal for my fifth and sixth graders.
That first line just makes your heart stand still with fright. Can't imagine how people feel who see their homes burning. Sometimes a family member is inside, a child, grandparent makes it all the worse.
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