STORM:  The Black Sphere (Storm (Hardback))
Grade 5–9—Summer in London has begun to seem routine following the stimulating events of Christmas in St. Petersburg inThe Infinity Codeand Easter in Venice inThe Ghost Machine(both Dial, 2008). STORM's three genius 14-year-olds are occupying themselves with their "normal" day-to-day activities such as working with the British Government to create a mind-altering spray, creating exploding ink, or hacking into printers across the UK to prove that secret documents can be stolen from a safe distance. When Will sneaks into an international conference to test some of his new inventions, he, Gaia, and Andrew are kidnapped. Their abductor, Abigail Pope, reveals that her uncle was one of six scientists working on a top-secret project. He is now the only surviving scientist from the group, but seems to be missing. Abigail hires STORM to locate and bring her uncle to safety. Young intersperses the teens' ensuing adventure in Interlaken, Switzerland, with new and interesting inventions like "Hard Wear" (body armor), an Invisible Glove, and cockroaches with built-in listening devices. These 14-year-olds climb mountains, blow up restaurants, make deals with ex-mercenaries, maneuver hydrospeed boards through dangerous caves, and discover more about their own abilities and relationships along the way. YAs will once again be sucked right into the secret-agent world of STORM. Well written and containing real explanations for the inspirations for all of the science and technology, this installment in the series is an excellent addition.—Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CTEND