Zach's Lie

Smith, Roland

ISBN 10: 0756914825 ISBN 13: 9780756914820

Publisher: Perfection Learning, 2003

Synopsis

Moving to Elko, Nevada, as part of the Witness Security Program, Jack Osborne becomes Zach and is piecing together a new life when he finds himself in danger again--and this time his action could determine the fates of everyone he cares about.

About this title

About the Author:

Roland Smith is the author of Zach's Lie, an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers; Cryptid Hunters; Thunder Cave; Jaguar; The Last Lobo; and Sasquatch. He lives outside of Portland, Oregon, with his wife Marie, who also writes children's books.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 5-9-In this contemporary suspense novel, Jack's father, a pilot, has been arrested for drug trafficking. When the cartel thugs come to their house to terrorize the teen, his mother, and his sister, they become candidates for the Witness Security Program and must change their identities. Although the family is told not to bring anything to Nevada that would link them to their former lives, Jack, now Zach, cannot leave his diary behind. With the villains searching for them, there can be no slipups, but the young protagonist soon learns that, in the small town of Elko, "Everyone knows Everything about Everybody." The diary and Zach's vulnerability are well-developed devices, but the plot soon becomes compromised by some unbelievable twists and turns. Zach is befriended by the school custodian, Sam, who acts as the principal's assistant, handling disciplinary cases with counseling and boxing therapy. Sam introduces Zach to the Basque people, sheep tenders in the hills outside town, who conveniently provide a hiding place for Zach when the bad guys arrive. In the biggest stretch of all, Sam outwits the thugs with talents he acquired as a KGB agent. Other details and characters merely set up the chain of events, which is unfortunate because individual chapters are often exciting, and there is a great potential to satisfy suspense fans.
Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Perfection Learning
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0756914825
• ISBN 13: 9780756914820
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 224