SUMMER READING IDEAS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 8-9
If you love to read--and even if you don't--you'll find something on this list that will surprise and delight you!
The Accidental Highwayman by Ben Tripp
"In eighteenth-century England, young Christopher "Kit" Bristol unwittingly takes on the task of his dead master, notorious highwayman Whistling Jack, who pledged a fairy he would rescue feisty Princess Morgana from an arranged marriage with King George III."
"In eighteenth-century England, young Christopher "Kit" Bristol unwittingly takes on the task of his dead master, notorious highwayman Whistling Jack, who pledged a fairy he would rescue feisty Princess Morgana from an arranged marriage with King George III."
"Calvin by Martine Leavitt
"Calvin's personality seems to have been destined: he was born on the day comic strip "Calvin and Hobbes" ended, his grandfather gave the infant a Hobbes-like tiger toy that was his constant childhood companion, and his best (and only) friend was always Susie. But now important senior-year assignments are going undone, Susie has abandoned him for more popular kids, and suddenly Calvin is convinced that Hobbes is right there with him. It's schizophrenia. Calvin is placed on a locked ward for treatment. He decides his last, best hope is to go on a dangerous pilgrimage--to hike all the way across frozen Lake Erie from his Canadian home to Cleveland, where the comic-strip creator lives." (Kirkus Reviews) This is a wonderful coming-of-age, adventure and survival story."
"Calvin's personality seems to have been destined: he was born on the day comic strip "Calvin and Hobbes" ended, his grandfather gave the infant a Hobbes-like tiger toy that was his constant childhood companion, and his best (and only) friend was always Susie. But now important senior-year assignments are going undone, Susie has abandoned him for more popular kids, and suddenly Calvin is convinced that Hobbes is right there with him. It's schizophrenia. Calvin is placed on a locked ward for treatment. He decides his last, best hope is to go on a dangerous pilgrimage--to hike all the way across frozen Lake Erie from his Canadian home to Cleveland, where the comic-strip creator lives." (Kirkus Reviews) This is a wonderful coming-of-age, adventure and survival story."
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
"Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who's ever been chosen. That's what his roommate Baz says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right. Half the time, Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here. It's their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up."
"Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who's ever been chosen. That's what his roommate Baz says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right. Half the time, Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here. It's their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up."
City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau
"In the year 241, twelve-year-old Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day to be a Messenger to run to new places in her decaying but beloved city, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown Regions."
"In the year 241, twelve-year-old Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day to be a Messenger to run to new places in her decaying but beloved city, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown Regions."
The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
“When Will Stanton wakes up on the morning of his birthday, he discovers an unbelievable gift — he is immortal. Bemused and terrified, he finds he is the last of the Old Ones, magical men and women sworn to protect the world from the source of evil, the Dark. At once Will is plunged into a quest to find six magical Signs to aid the powers of the Light. Six medallions — iron, bronze, wood, water, fire, and stone — created and hidden by the Old Ones centuries ago. But the Dark has sent out the Rider: evil cloaked in black, mounted upon a midnight stallion, and on the hunt for this youngest Old One, Will. He must find the six great Signs before the Dark can rise, for an epic battle between good and evil approaches.” (Publisher's Note)
“When Will Stanton wakes up on the morning of his birthday, he discovers an unbelievable gift — he is immortal. Bemused and terrified, he finds he is the last of the Old Ones, magical men and women sworn to protect the world from the source of evil, the Dark. At once Will is plunged into a quest to find six magical Signs to aid the powers of the Light. Six medallions — iron, bronze, wood, water, fire, and stone — created and hidden by the Old Ones centuries ago. But the Dark has sent out the Rider: evil cloaked in black, mounted upon a midnight stallion, and on the hunt for this youngest Old One, Will. He must find the six great Signs before the Dark can rise, for an epic battle between good and evil approaches.” (Publisher's Note)
Down the Rabbit Hole: An Echo Falls Mystery by Peter Abrahams
"Like her idol Sherlock Holmes, eighth grader Ingrid Levin-Hill uses her intellect to solve a murder case in her home town of Echo Falls."
"Like her idol Sherlock Holmes, eighth grader Ingrid Levin-Hill uses her intellect to solve a murder case in her home town of Echo Falls."
Eleven Things I Promised by Catherine Clark
"Frances is in over her head. Months ago she signed up for a 350-mile charity bike ride with her best friend Stella. Now Stella is home recuperating from serious injuries sustained while training, and Frances is on her own, having pledged to complete the ride for Stella. She even vows to fulfill Stella’s Bike Trip F(ix)-It List—10 things Stella had wanted to do on the ride to shake up her life. But Frances isn’t Stella. ... Extremely entertaining!" (Kirkus Reviews)
"Frances is in over her head. Months ago she signed up for a 350-mile charity bike ride with her best friend Stella. Now Stella is home recuperating from serious injuries sustained while training, and Frances is on her own, having pledged to complete the ride for Stella. She even vows to fulfill Stella’s Bike Trip F(ix)-It List—10 things Stella had wanted to do on the ride to shake up her life. But Frances isn’t Stella. ... Extremely entertaining!" (Kirkus Reviews)
Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger
"In an alternate England of 1851, spirited fourteen-year-old Sophronia is enrolled in a finishing school where, she is suprised to learn, lessons include not only the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also diversion, deceit, and espionage.In an alternate England of 1851, spirited fourteen-year-old Sophronia is enrolled in a finishing school where, she is suprised to learn, lessons include not only the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also diversion, deceit, and espionage".
"In an alternate England of 1851, spirited fourteen-year-old Sophronia is enrolled in a finishing school where, she is suprised to learn, lessons include not only the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also diversion, deceit, and espionage.In an alternate England of 1851, spirited fourteen-year-old Sophronia is enrolled in a finishing school where, she is suprised to learn, lessons include not only the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also diversion, deceit, and espionage".
Eyes Wide Open: Going Behind the Environmental Headlines by Paul Fleischman
"We're living in an aha moment. Take 250 years of human ingenuity. Add abundant fossil fuels. The result: a population and lifestyle never seen before. The downsides weren't visible for centuries, but now they are. Suddenly everything needs rethinking - suburbs, cars, fast food, cheap prices. It's a changed world. This book explains it. Using politics, psychology, and history for attitude, Eyes Wide Open shows how to see the principles driving events and attitudes, from vested interests to denial to big-country syndrome. Here's the briefing you need to comprehend the twenty-first century"
"We're living in an aha moment. Take 250 years of human ingenuity. Add abundant fossil fuels. The result: a population and lifestyle never seen before. The downsides weren't visible for centuries, but now they are. Suddenly everything needs rethinking - suburbs, cars, fast food, cheap prices. It's a changed world. This book explains it. Using politics, psychology, and history for attitude, Eyes Wide Open shows how to see the principles driving events and attitudes, from vested interests to denial to big-country syndrome. Here's the briefing you need to comprehend the twenty-first century"
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
"In the country of Carthya, a devious nobleman engages four orphans in a brutal competition to be selected to impersonate the king's long-missing son in an effort to avoid a civil war." A fast-paced, exciting adventure story.
"In the country of Carthya, a devious nobleman engages four orphans in a brutal competition to be selected to impersonate the king's long-missing son in an effort to avoid a civil war." A fast-paced, exciting adventure story.
Genius: The Game by Gout Leopoldo
"Meet Rex, a 16-year-old programing genius who is determined to find his brother, Teo, no matter what the cost. Rex creates WALKABOUT, a very complicated code that once run will allow him to track down his brother; the only catch is he has to find a quantum computer to run it. Meet Tunde, a 14-year-old self-taught engineering genius who lives in rural Nigeria. It is not until the cruel General Iyabo visits Tunde's village to demand his help in creating a weapon that he realizes that his genius may be the detriment of his f family. Meet Painted Wolf, a 16-year-old genius who lives in Shanghai. The infamous teen is one of China's leading microbloggers who takes pride in exposing public officials who take bribes from mob figures. She knows her online presence can never be linked to her true self or her family will be in danger. It is not until the three protagonists learn of a competition called the Game , hosted by one of the biggest names in technology, Kiran Biswas, that they realize their meeting may help to resolve their individual problems." School Library Journal
"Meet Rex, a 16-year-old programing genius who is determined to find his brother, Teo, no matter what the cost. Rex creates WALKABOUT, a very complicated code that once run will allow him to track down his brother; the only catch is he has to find a quantum computer to run it. Meet Tunde, a 14-year-old self-taught engineering genius who lives in rural Nigeria. It is not until the cruel General Iyabo visits Tunde's village to demand his help in creating a weapon that he realizes that his genius may be the detriment of his f family. Meet Painted Wolf, a 16-year-old genius who lives in Shanghai. The infamous teen is one of China's leading microbloggers who takes pride in exposing public officials who take bribes from mob figures. She knows her online presence can never be linked to her true self or her family will be in danger. It is not until the three protagonists learn of a competition called the Game , hosted by one of the biggest names in technology, Kiran Biswas, that they realize their meeting may help to resolve their individual problems." School Library Journal
The Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse
"In Nazi-occupied Holland, Hanneke seems like an ordinary girl working at a funeral parlor to help support her family during wartime. But her Aryan features and charming smile allow her to work as a courier on the black market smuggling cigarettes, meat, and other unavailable items to paying customers. While Hanneke is not a member of the Dutch resistance, her actions are a direct result of the loss of Bas, her boyfriend. Lying about his age, he enlisted and died on the frontlines during the German invasion. When one of her best customers asks for her assistance in finding a Jewish girl she was hiding, Hanneke is stunned. But soon after, she is drawn into the mysterious disappearance of the girl in the blue coat. What she uncovers as she searches for answers leads her on a journey of self-discovery, self-realization, and redemption." (School Library Journal)
"In Nazi-occupied Holland, Hanneke seems like an ordinary girl working at a funeral parlor to help support her family during wartime. But her Aryan features and charming smile allow her to work as a courier on the black market smuggling cigarettes, meat, and other unavailable items to paying customers. While Hanneke is not a member of the Dutch resistance, her actions are a direct result of the loss of Bas, her boyfriend. Lying about his age, he enlisted and died on the frontlines during the German invasion. When one of her best customers asks for her assistance in finding a Jewish girl she was hiding, Hanneke is stunned. But soon after, she is drawn into the mysterious disappearance of the girl in the blue coat. What she uncovers as she searches for answers leads her on a journey of self-discovery, self-realization, and redemption." (School Library Journal)
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
"Accompanied by her daemon, Lyra Belacqua sets out to prevent her best friend and other kidnapped children from becoming the subject of gruesome experiments in the Far North."
"Accompanied by her daemon, Lyra Belacqua sets out to prevent her best friend and other kidnapped children from becoming the subject of gruesome experiments in the Far North."
The Gospel Truth by Caroline Pignat
This "stunning and heartbreaking" verse novel tells the story of Phoebe and her life as a slave on a Virginia tobacco plantation in 1858,
This "stunning and heartbreaking" verse novel tells the story of Phoebe and her life as a slave on a Virginia tobacco plantation in 1858,
The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever by Jeff Strand
"Justin and his pals Bobby and Gabe have been making movies for a while now, but none has gained much traction. Their films have been poorly received on YouTube, and few of their fellow students show much interest in their moviemaking exploits. After their vampire movie falls apart, the trio resolves to go big or go home, and going big means making the greatest zombie movie ever. With a $5,000 loan from Justin's grandmother and the most popular girl in school as its star, Justin's film is off to a good start. But...." A very funny book! (Kirkus Reviews)
"Justin and his pals Bobby and Gabe have been making movies for a while now, but none has gained much traction. Their films have been poorly received on YouTube, and few of their fellow students show much interest in their moviemaking exploits. After their vampire movie falls apart, the trio resolves to go big or go home, and going big means making the greatest zombie movie ever. With a $5,000 loan from Justin's grandmother and the most popular girl in school as its star, Justin's film is off to a good start. But...." A very funny book! (Kirkus Reviews)
Hunter by Mercedes Lackey
"A teenage girl leaves home to join the legendary Hunters, who protect the people from the terrifying monsters that have overrun their world."
"A teenage girl leaves home to join the legendary Hunters, who protect the people from the terrifying monsters that have overrun their world."
The Leveller by Julia Durango
"Nixy Bauer is focused on earning enough money to get into a good college. She's a bounty hunter, hired by frustrated parents to pull their kids out of MeaParadisus--the kids call it MEEP--a virtual world where kids can go on spending sprees in virtual malls, remake themselves into the most popular kids at school, and experience danger and adventure, all while vegging out in their rooms. Her motto is "Nixy Bauer, Home in an Hour," and she delivers. So it's no surprise that she gets the call to rescue Wyn Salvador…except Wyn's dad created MEEP and should have been able to extract him without Nixy's help. It isn't until Nixy finds her way into Wyn's re-creation of pre-revolutionary Cuba and finds him stranded that she realizes Wyn's been kidnapped and can't get back…and now, neither can she." (Kirkus Reviews) This highly entertaining story will appeal to both gamers and non-gamers.
"Nixy Bauer is focused on earning enough money to get into a good college. She's a bounty hunter, hired by frustrated parents to pull their kids out of MeaParadisus--the kids call it MEEP--a virtual world where kids can go on spending sprees in virtual malls, remake themselves into the most popular kids at school, and experience danger and adventure, all while vegging out in their rooms. Her motto is "Nixy Bauer, Home in an Hour," and she delivers. So it's no surprise that she gets the call to rescue Wyn Salvador…except Wyn's dad created MEEP and should have been able to extract him without Nixy's help. It isn't until Nixy finds her way into Wyn's re-creation of pre-revolutionary Cuba and finds him stranded that she realizes Wyn's been kidnapped and can't get back…and now, neither can she." (Kirkus Reviews) This highly entertaining story will appeal to both gamers and non-gamers.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
"Thirteen-year-old Conor awakens one night to find a monster outside his bedroom window, but not the one from the recurring nightmare that began when his mother became ill--an ancient, wild creature that wants him to face truth and loss."
.
"Thirteen-year-old Conor awakens one night to find a monster outside his bedroom window, but not the one from the recurring nightmare that began when his mother became ill--an ancient, wild creature that wants him to face truth and loss."
.
Moonshot: the Indigenous Comics Collection
A wonderful collection of short comics by and about Native peoples. Writers such as Richard Van Camp and Buffy Sainte-Marie base their vignettes on traditional stories.
A wonderful collection of short comics by and about Native peoples. Writers such as Richard Van Camp and Buffy Sainte-Marie base their vignettes on traditional stories.
The Nest by Kenneth Oppel
"When wasps come to Steve in a dream offering to fix his sick baby brother, he thinks all he has to do is say yes. But yes may not mean what Steve thinks it means."
"When wasps come to Steve in a dream offering to fix his sick baby brother, he thinks all he has to do is say yes. But yes may not mean what Steve thinks it means."
Paper Hearts by Meg Wiviott
"Amid the brutality of Auschwitz during the Holocaust, a forbidden gift helps two teenage girls find hope, friendship, and the will to live in this novel in verse that is based on a true story."
"Amid the brutality of Auschwitz during the Holocaust, a forbidden gift helps two teenage girls find hope, friendship, and the will to live in this novel in verse that is based on a true story."
Peanut by Ayun Halliday
"Sadie lies about having a deathly allergy to peanuts to help her make friends at her new high school." (SLJ) A great graphic novel!
"Sadie lies about having a deathly allergy to peanuts to help her make friends at her new high school." (SLJ) A great graphic novel!
The Prom Goer's Interstellar Excursion by Chris McCoy
"Minutes after eighteen-year-old Bennett Bardo of Gordo, New Mexico, asks Sophie Gilkey, his dream girl, to prom and she says yes, she is abducted by aliens and Bennett catches a ride across the galaxy with a band of misfit musicians to find her."
"Minutes after eighteen-year-old Bennett Bardo of Gordo, New Mexico, asks Sophie Gilkey, his dream girl, to prom and she says yes, she is abducted by aliens and Bennett catches a ride across the galaxy with a band of misfit musicians to find her."
The Relucltant Assassin by Eoin Colfer
n London, Albert Garrick, an assassin-for-hire, and his reluctant young apprentice, Riley, are transported via wormhole to modern London, where Riley teams up with a young FBI agent to stop Garrick from returning to his own time and using his newly acquired scientific knowledge and power to change the world forever."
n London, Albert Garrick, an assassin-for-hire, and his reluctant young apprentice, Riley, are transported via wormhole to modern London, where Riley teams up with a young FBI agent to stop Garrick from returning to his own time and using his newly acquired scientific knowledge and power to change the world forever."
The Riverman by Aaron Starmer
"The first book in a trilogy about a girl who claims she is visiting a parallel universe where a nefarious being called The Riverman is stealing the souls of children and the boy she asks to write her biography because she fears her soul may be next."
"The first book in a trilogy about a girl who claims she is visiting a parallel universe where a nefarious being called The Riverman is stealing the souls of children and the boy she asks to write her biography because she fears her soul may be next."
The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow
"The teenage princess of a future-world Canadian superpower, where royal children are held hostage to keep their countries from waging war, falls in love with an American prince who rebels against the brutal rules governing their existences."
"The teenage princess of a future-world Canadian superpower, where royal children are held hostage to keep their countries from waging war, falls in love with an American prince who rebels against the brutal rules governing their existences."
The Screaming Suitcase by Jonathan Stroud
"Follows three young operatives of a Psychic Detection Agency as they battle an epidemic of ghosts in London."
The Six by Mark Alpert
"Adam, crippled by muscular dystrophy, and five other terminally ill teenagers sacrifice their bodies and upload their minds into weaponized robots to battle a dangerously advanced artificial intelligence program bent on destroying humanity."
"Adam, crippled by muscular dystrophy, and five other terminally ill teenagers sacrifice their bodies and upload their minds into weaponized robots to battle a dangerously advanced artificial intelligence program bent on destroying humanity."
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
"Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction--if they don't kill each other first"--
"Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction--if they don't kill each other first"--
Shadows Cast by Stars by Catherine Knutsson
"To escape a government that needs antigens in aboriginal blood to stop a plague, sixteen-year-old Cassandra and her family flee to the Island, where she not only gets help in communicating with the spirit world, she learns she has been chosen to be their voice and instrument." (Catherin Knutsson is a Metis writer living on Vancouver Island)
"To escape a government that needs antigens in aboriginal blood to stop a plague, sixteen-year-old Cassandra and her family flee to the Island, where she not only gets help in communicating with the spirit world, she learns she has been chosen to be their voice and instrument." (Catherin Knutsson is a Metis writer living on Vancouver Island)
Squirrel Power!: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 1
"Supervillains and criminals meet their match with Tony Stark's friend Squirrel Girl, aka Doreen Green, a college freshman with the appearance, speed, and agility of a squirrel." (School Library Journal) A hilarious graphic novel.
"Supervillains and criminals meet their match with Tony Stark's friend Squirrel Girl, aka Doreen Green, a college freshman with the appearance, speed, and agility of a squirrel." (School Library Journal) A hilarious graphic novel.
Steve Jobs: Insanely Great by Jessie Hartland
This graphic biography, which has been described as "hip and cool", looks at Steve Jobs in all his complexities. Includes a great deal of information as well as technical descriptions and quotations.
This graphic biography, which has been described as "hip and cool", looks at Steve Jobs in all his complexities. Includes a great deal of information as well as technical descriptions and quotations.
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
"Sixteen-year-old Malencia (Cia) Vale is chosen to participate in The Testing to attend the University; however, Cia is fearful when she figures out her friends who do not pass The Testing are disappearing."
"Sixteen-year-old Malencia (Cia) Vale is chosen to participate in The Testing to attend the University; however, Cia is fearful when she figures out her friends who do not pass The Testing are disappearing."
The Trouble in Me by Jack Gantos
"Fourteen-year-old Jack falls under the spell of a delinquent Florida neighbor and gets way more trouble than he bargained for."
"Fourteen-year-old Jack falls under the spell of a delinquent Florida neighbor and gets way more trouble than he bargained for."
Vango by Timothee de Fombelle
"A gripping mystery-adventure set in the 1930s interwar period about a character desperately searching for his identity.Paris, 1934. Fleeing form the police and more sinister forces on his trail, Vango must race against time to prove his innocence."
"A gripping mystery-adventure set in the 1930s interwar period about a character desperately searching for his identity.Paris, 1934. Fleeing form the police and more sinister forces on his trail, Vango must race against time to prove his innocence."
War Brothers by Sharon E. McKay
"Jacob and Oteka find themselves in the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda and must try to survive." This terrifying, shocking story is based on real events."
"Jacob and Oteka find themselves in the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda and must try to survive." This terrifying, shocking story is based on real events."
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
"Meg Murry and her friends become involved with unearthly strangers and a search for Meg's father, who has disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government."
"Meg Murry and her friends become involved with unearthly strangers and a search for Meg's father, who has disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government."
Zeroboxer by Lee Fonda
"Boxing gets an upgrade to zero gravity in this futuristic outing.Living centuries in the future, Carr, at 17, has dreams of winning the title. Carr is a zeroboxer, trading punches in a zero-G cube. Carr was born on Earth in "balmy Toronto." As a Terran, he's low on the totem pole socially; Martians, resented on Earth for their genetic modifications, look down on Earth as a backwater. After a few wins, Carr gets a pay raise and a brandhelm to manage his career. However, he learns a secret that brings him close to a criminal conspiracy, and he can't see a way out. Lee creates a believable future world by attaching new surroundings to common experiences. Carr lives in the inner circle on a space station; the wealthy can afford outer apartments with views of Earth. Boxing keeps its familiar customs, such as loud announcers, title belts and trash-talking opponents, but includes weightless flying. As a sports hero, Carr copes with interviews and fans just as today's star athletes do. More interestingly, the book focuses on ethical issues such as the genetic modifications humans undertook to begin living on Mars and promotes social awareness, focusing on Carr's humble beginnings and his still-impoverished young friend, Enzo. It all adds up to a superior sci-fi outing that doesn't need mad scientists to provide suspense. Top-notch science fiction and a great sports novel too. "
"Boxing gets an upgrade to zero gravity in this futuristic outing.Living centuries in the future, Carr, at 17, has dreams of winning the title. Carr is a zeroboxer, trading punches in a zero-G cube. Carr was born on Earth in "balmy Toronto." As a Terran, he's low on the totem pole socially; Martians, resented on Earth for their genetic modifications, look down on Earth as a backwater. After a few wins, Carr gets a pay raise and a brandhelm to manage his career. However, he learns a secret that brings him close to a criminal conspiracy, and he can't see a way out. Lee creates a believable future world by attaching new surroundings to common experiences. Carr lives in the inner circle on a space station; the wealthy can afford outer apartments with views of Earth. Boxing keeps its familiar customs, such as loud announcers, title belts and trash-talking opponents, but includes weightless flying. As a sports hero, Carr copes with interviews and fans just as today's star athletes do. More interestingly, the book focuses on ethical issues such as the genetic modifications humans undertook to begin living on Mars and promotes social awareness, focusing on Carr's humble beginnings and his still-impoverished young friend, Enzo. It all adds up to a superior sci-fi outing that doesn't need mad scientists to provide suspense. Top-notch science fiction and a great sports novel too. "