Infiltration

March 1, 2012

Gr 7 Up-During the day, Bex keeps to himself and stays under the radar, but at night he is the rock star of urban exploration, a hobby for people who like to break into buildings, explore the forbidden interiors, and then post pictures to online forums. He has hacked into more buildings than any other urban explorer in the city. He is careful not to take anything but pictures and leaves nothing but footprints. When a new student, Kieran, shows up and asks him to be part of a dangerous, but potentially lucrative, exploration mission, Bex finds himself breaking his own rules when he agrees to participate. When it turns out that Kieran has ulterior motives, Bex has to figure out how to get them both out of the situation alive. The book is intended for reluctant readers, and they will appreciate the authentic dialogue, and fast-paced ending, but the rest of the story line lacks enough tension and suspense to get them there.-Rachael Myers-Ricker, Horace Mann School, Bronx, NY

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2011
Grades 7-12 Bex is one of a number of urban explorers, people who break into old and abandoned buildings around the city, take photos to prove they were there, and then post them on the Internet. One of the best, Bex is like a rock star who can successfully hack any building,until a new boy, Kieran, comes to school with a plan unlike any Bex has undertaken before. Will he succeed? Will he even survive? Although Bex?s motivation is a bit shaky, Rodman?s first novel, a title in the popular and reliable Orca Soundings series, is a fast-paced action-adventure story. It will appeal especially to teens who read below level, though the page-turning suspense it generates and the fascinating hook of urban-exploration should grab any reader.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2012
Bex is an "urban explorer." He gets into abandoned buildings and places, takes pictures, and gets out. When new-to-school Kieran convinces Bex to push his personal limits and moral boundaries with the promise of money, adrenaline-inducing events occur. Tight, concise writing, along with a fast-moving plot, makes this a good choice for struggling and reluctant readers.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)