Heist: The great chocolate caper by Joel McKerrow

Andy McGee has just started high school and is navigating the rough road of unexpected friendship, bullies, power plays, and the almost-more-than-friendship with Marlie. Fear and bravery, being a follower or a leader, being obedient or a rebel, all these early teen dilemmas are part of Andy’s experience. But it is the alien takeover that requires Andy to gather a disparate collection of fellow Highschoolers to plan and execute an audacious plot to save the world! 

This is a funny, exciting and roller-coaster reading experience. It is a delightful adventure involving kids using all different kinds of ‘smarts’ to save humanity. The alien invasion is quirkily conveyed and McKerrow has created an exciting teen mystery-adventure that is leading to Book 2. Characters are intriguing and interpersonal relationships have all the hallmarks of early high school complexity, but with a liberal touch of humour. Marlie has a disability, but it is her abilities that are highlighted. The hint of romantic connection is appropriately gentle and carries the wisp of teen embarrassment - a friendly connection rather than a hormone overdose. This is a delightful story that will be enjoyed for its action, humour and teen-friendly plot. Readers from the age of 10 will enjoy the story, but those beginning High School are probably the target audience.

Themes: Chocolate, Aliens, Mystery, Friendship, Cooperation, Disability, Bullies.

Carolyn Hull