Terrorists are planning a huge attack against schools across the US and have targeted secret agent, Sam Timberline, for murder, along with his family—including twin thirteen-year-olds, Ashley and Bryce Timberline. While cleaning an abandoned building with the church youth group, Ashley and Bryce discover old wallets hidden in the ceiling. Bryce finds an ancient love letter in one of the wallets and embarks upon some detective work to find the two estranged lovers. Meanwhile, Ashley receives notes, balloons and an invitation to the eighth grade dance from her secret admirer, and then Bryce decides to use the old letter as part of his entry into a writing competition. When the writing judges show and turn out to be the terrorist kingpins, Bryce embarks upon some nail-biting spying, and is subsequently captured. Will Bryce’ step-father, Sam Timberline, rescue his family and thwart the terrorist plot? Either way the ending is bound to be a bang.
The authors apply Christian principles to some awkward middle school relational situations as both protagonists try to live as believers and do the right thing. Interestingly, they also have unbelievers in their family giving the story a strong evangelical imperative throughout. Switching points of view from Ashley to Bryce and back again in very short chapters usually provides great pace. However, some action adventure readers might find this plot a little slow for the first half of the book.
Age Range: 8-12
Genre: Action Adventure
Tyndale House 2006
Series: 15 of 15
Available: Amazon, Christianbook.com Also ask for this book at your local library
