Dead Cat Bounce

Gr 8–11—This story begins with a heart-pounding hook, a prologue that drops readers smack into a riveting life-or-death drama. Sixteen-year-old Jonah and his dad narrowly escape murderous thugs after downloading computer files. Chapter one is set four years earlier when a young Jonah accompanies his emotionally distant father to his job on the trading floor of a London brokerage firm. Jonah is fascinated with the fast-paced, winner-take-all trading and the sudden wealth it brings. The Baron, a bigwig hedge-fund manager, takes Jonah under his wing, strokes his ego, and plies him with attention, compliments, and gifts. Jonah leaves school early and joins the firm where he eventually discovers that all the wealth isn't always earned honestly. When a trade goes wrong and his dad is blamed for losing billions, he asks Jonah for help. The two find themselves in the middle of a worldwide financial conspiracy where the key players consider murder a part of the game. This high-octane read will appeal to fans of Anthony Horowitz's "Alex Rider" series (Philomel). The only complaint will be the cliff-hanger ending.Patricia N. McClune, Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, PA