Author: Alan Gratz
Year Published: 2015
Genre: YA fiction
Pages: 278
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Location (my 2018 Google Reading map): USA (AZ, TN, DC, WV)
FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my school library
Summary (from the inside flap of the book): Kamran Smith has it all. He's the star of the football team, dates the most popular girl, and can't wait to enlist in the army like his big brother, Darius. Although Kamran's mother is from Iran, Kamran has always felt 100% American. Accepted.
And then everything implodes.
Darius is accused of being a terrorist. Kamran refuses to believe it. But Darius has been filmed making threats against his country, hinting at an upcoming deadly attack. Suddenly, everyone in Kamran's life turns against him and his family.
Kamran knows it's up to him to clear his brother's name. In a race against time, Kamran must piece together a series of clues and codes that will lead him to Darius--and the truth. But is it a truth Kamran is ready to face? And is he putting his own life at risk?
Review: I have been looking forward to this book for a while because it's Alan Gratz. This book is similar to his other books that I've read in that it is intense, realistic, and deals with war / trauma. However, it is different in that it seems more fantastical and adventure-filled, a little bit less possible (think spy novel) than the others.
Of course, I like Kamran, the main character. He is honest, wholesome, and real. He is angry, afraid, and seventeen. There are tons of other characters that play less major and even minor roles and they are all great, too. Through the characters we get an interesting look at terrorism, the CIA / Department of Homeland Security, and Joe-Public America.
Gratz also deals with really important issues in this book, which is no surprise. He seems to be the master at that. This novel deals with Islamophobia, the role of the US in the world, jihad, and trust. All in all, it's a quick read that kept my attention from the first page.
FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my school library
Summary (from the inside flap of the book): Kamran Smith has it all. He's the star of the football team, dates the most popular girl, and can't wait to enlist in the army like his big brother, Darius. Although Kamran's mother is from Iran, Kamran has always felt 100% American. Accepted.
And then everything implodes.
Darius is accused of being a terrorist. Kamran refuses to believe it. But Darius has been filmed making threats against his country, hinting at an upcoming deadly attack. Suddenly, everyone in Kamran's life turns against him and his family.
Kamran knows it's up to him to clear his brother's name. In a race against time, Kamran must piece together a series of clues and codes that will lead him to Darius--and the truth. But is it a truth Kamran is ready to face? And is he putting his own life at risk?
Of course, I like Kamran, the main character. He is honest, wholesome, and real. He is angry, afraid, and seventeen. There are tons of other characters that play less major and even minor roles and they are all great, too. Through the characters we get an interesting look at terrorism, the CIA / Department of Homeland Security, and Joe-Public America.
Gratz also deals with really important issues in this book, which is no surprise. He seems to be the master at that. This novel deals with Islamophobia, the role of the US in the world, jihad, and trust. All in all, it's a quick read that kept my attention from the first page.
Challenges for which this counts:
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