A heart-stopping middle grade survival adventure where the only way to survive is to evolve. Hatchet meets a young Jason Bourne, for readers of Margaret Peterson Haddix. His mother is a scientist. His dad was a soldier. Ash is something new altogether. Kidnapped, Ash McCarthy wakes up on a remote tropical island. Why is he there? What is this medical facility around him? Most importantly, what's happening inside of him?Ash needs answers. He has twenty-four hours to get them.To escape, Ash must risk his life. But what's more dangerous: the jungle, his captors, or the mysterious chemical injected into his veins? Gr 4–6—Smith's latest middle grade novel is an action-packed jungle thriller. Ash awakens from his father's funeral and finds himself in a stark, clinical-looking facility on a remote island. Disoriented and searching for his mother, Ash stumbles upon Isabel, a courageous girl whose father works in the facility. The two set off together to locate Isabel's father and Ash's mother, soon discovering something is terribly wrong. Gunshots are fired, a helicopter is brought down, and the facility goes into lockdown. In addition, Ash slowly begins to realize that his senses have somehow been enhanced. The two soon find their parents locked in a room and infected with Kronos, a terrifying, horribly contagious, and deadly virus. Isabel and Ash have 24 hours to locate the cure and prevent Kronos from being released upon the masses. From then on, chapters are prefaced with a countdown clock, which communicates a feeling of urgency to readers, increasing the suspense. Ash and Isabel are likable, compelling characters in whom students can become easily invested. VERDICT Suspense fans will be captivated by the twisting, turning plot of this thriller.—Tiffany Davis, Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY Praise for Big Game : "[R]eaders will appreciate the nonstop action as Oskari relies on all of his training to help the president evade the villains and their treasonous plans." -- Booklist (online)"[T]he pace and action will grab fans of survival stories." -- Voice of Youth Advocates Praise for My Brother's Secret : "[P]atriotism, courage, and compassion are presented through believable characters, gripping suspense, and an unflinching look at the lengths some will go to in order to retain control. A heartfelt look at coming of age in a time of war." -- Kirkus Reviews "An exciting novel with compelling characters for those interested in historical fiction and Nazi Germany." -- School Library Journal "It is breathtaking to see Smith open with a character who so clearly and yet innocently goes against the values of most readers, and the author handles Karl's growing realization of the truth beautifully. [T]his is clever, gripping storytelling -- and the plot up to the climax is incredibly compelling[.]" -- Voice of Youth Advocates Growing up, Dan Smith moved with his family through Africa, Asia, and South America. He now lives in Newcastle, England, with his wife and two children. He is the author of books for both adults and children, four of which have been published by Chicken House. Find out more about the author at www.dansmithsbooks.com.