Rat Runners

Gr 6–9—An engrossing dystopian thriller, perfect for fans of the genre. McGann draws readers in from the start with an exciting chase scene, and the excitement just keeps building. Nimmo, Scope, Manikin, and FX are four young thieves living in a version of London that is controlled by a corporation called WatchWorld. London's streets are littered with cameras and patrolled by Safe-Guards, half-human, half-robot patrols that keep the citizens in check. But the criminal underworld still exists. Move-Easy is one of many gang members who has gone underground, away from all and any cameras in order to avoid detection. Shortly before witnessing the murder of Watson Brundle, Nimmo was asked to hide a leather case from a Safe-Guard patrol that was looking for it. After Brundle's murder, Nimmo must go into hiding and prevent whatever is in the case from falling into the wrong hands. Rat Runners has all the elements that dystopian readers are looking for, while still remaining a unique contribution to the genre, combining action, mystery, and suspense. .—Patrick Tierney, Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary School RI