Shantorian

Gr 5—9—In Trackers (Scholastic, 2010), Adam, Finn, Lewis, and Emily found themselves pulled deeper and deeper into the world of high-tech hacking—and "tracking," the ability to trace online criminals' movements by the signs they leave behind. Now, billions of dollars have vanished into the ether, and Carman mixes a quick-cut, TV procedural-style of dialogue and narration as the four teens find themselves in the custody of an FBI-style intelligence force. Adam is interrogated by an agent who believes he is lying; the agent swears that he will "break him." Then there's the mysterious Shantorian, the super-hacker the Trackers are pursuing, as well as furtive Lazlo and gorgeous, smart Zara, who may be the Trackers' allies—or maybe not. The book is accompanied by a website filled with video files that support the story. Primarily of interest to fans of the first book.—Walter Minkel, Austin Public Library, TX