Alex Rider is your average 14 year old. He's into video games, sports, and girls. But there's something not so average about him. He is a spy for the British Intelligence Agency, MI6. In the end of the last book, Alex was walking out of building when he was shot. An attempted murder by a hired hit man. Against all odds, Alex was not killed. Now we've just started Ark Angel. While recovering in world-renowned St. Dominics Hospital, he saw several suspicious men pull up in a dark vehicle. He took the elevator down to see that these men meant serious business. Listening through the door, Alex heard them asking for a Paul Drevin, the very boy that was staying next to him. After a while, he heard gunshots and the receptionist was dead. Using Alex's quick-thinking, he went upstairs and switched names and room numbers with Paul Drevin in the next room. He waited opposite the elevator in a long-hallway. After the men came, they asked him if he was Paul. He said yes, ran, and the chase began. Alex manages to knock out 4 of the 4 men. But later when Alex is catching his breath, he is hit in the back of the head... He woke up several hours later in an abandoned building. After a while, Alex is let in on the plan. All of this is led by an organization called Force Three. They are your "Eco-Freaks" so to speak. However, they will go to unimaginable heights to protect the earth's natural "jewels". In regards to Paul Drevin, he is the son of billionaire entrepreneur Nikolai Drevin. Nikolai Drevin has launched a program that will build the first luxury hotel in space. However, many of the rockets they send up carrying supplies give off harmful gasses. These gasses destroy the natural ozone layer that protects the earth and this does not sit well with Force Three. What will happen now? Find out what happens in Ark Angel.
I recommend this book for a plethora of reasons. First of all, I think that classes could use a little bit of excitement. The tone of the book in general and the voice of the characters makes this a very enjoyable book to read. Especially out loud. I feel that it will make people excited to come to English class. Like something to look forward to. Also, even though this is a series book, each book is very individualized. You pretty much don't need to read books 1,2, and 3 to understand what's going on in 4. This is an advantage because teachers can read a different book every year while still posing the same types of questions. This way, teachers don't have to read the same book 10 years in a row. My final and most important reason for recommending this book to be part of an English curriculum is that it poses real-world issues in a passive way. I'm sure if there was a book called The Very Real Issues of the World That Can Affect Future Generations and Should Receive More Attention no kid, even adult would WANT to read it. But by integrating a problem (Terrorism) with an action book with the main character being around the same age as the readers, it can actually make kids interested. And that is what is great about this book. It passively introduces reality into an exciting fiction novel.
I give this book a very genuine 10/10.
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