Michael Simmons (2)

At the beginning of Finding Lubchenko we find out that the main character, Evan, is a wise-cracking teenager who is generally in trouble for doing something he shouldn't have. His father, who is usually his biggest critic, has been arrested for murder and accused of bioterrorism. Evan seeks to clear his father because his illegal business venture of stealing equipment from his father's business and selling it online has led him to taking a laptop that contains evidence that would probably clear his father's name. Evan can't just turn over the laptop because it would expose him to his father's anger and possibly get him arrested for theft. Evan talks his friends Ruben and Erika to taking a trip with him to Paris to find Lubchenko, who is the only clue that Evan has.

Evan is an interesting character who seems to have a some sense of right and wrong, but rarely follows the most logical course of action to achieve his goal. The mystery was pretty easy to figure out, but the obvious attraction to the story is the character of Evan with his quirks, flaws, and sarcastic nature.… (plus d'informations)

In the sequel to Finding Lubchenko, Evan Macalister is once again saving the world; this time from an Smallpox infestation that would kill millions. His stained relationship with his father has not improved, and he continues to be happily oblivious to the feelings of others. He and his friends, Rueben and Erika are off to Paris to stop his father's business partner from selling a strain of Smallpox that their company uses to research vaccinations and cures for the disease.

It is hard to like Evan. The author shows him thinking a lot about his feelings for family and friends, but it's really nothing more than self-serving emotions designed to make him more likeable to the audience. The book was well written, but there were no real revelations or twists to make it more than just an okay story about an unlikeable teen and the messes he creates for himself.… (plus d'informations)

Read this on the recommendation of my 11-year-old, who told me, "Brett and I are a lot alike." without, I believe, understanding the implications of that statement. Brett is self-involved and spoiled, a one-time rich kid who's lost all his money, and the story involves the adult who comes along to teach him about life.

It's a bit of a story about redemption, a Secret Garden updated to the modern age, or a Thief Lord without the magic. I like that Brett doesn't actually have a complete, Scrooge-like change of heart - "From that time forward I became a better person" - but the changes in him are realistic.

The characters and scenario are quite realistic overall. A thoughtful, understated story of growing up in modern-day, upper-class California.… (plus d'informations)