I predict this will be an Award winner

You would have to go a long way to find a better summer read for the 13+ age group that Brian Falkner's new novel The Project. It is a rollicking good adventure story with school boy pranks, spys, soldiers, floods, kidnappings and mysteries to solve. Add to that some excellent research into science and history (although the author notes that "a number of things have been altered for the sake of an exciting story") and you end up with something that I am sure will be on 2011 Notable books lists and short lists for Awards in the New Year.

The tale begins with Luke (a Kiwi school boy who grew up on a farm, can fix anything with a piece of number 8 wire and who has a near photographic memory) and his mate Tommy (a gadget freak and spy in training) in an uncomfortable interview with their Principal after a prank gone wrong. It also involves a Book, which up to that point, they believe to be the most boring book in history and a challenge to them to discover a book that is more boring. A challenge is like a dare to the boys so they can't resist. It leads them into places they have rarely gone before (the library) and places they have never imagined (a hint - Leonardo da Vinci and Hitler).

Although this book is recommended for ages 13+ and placed on the Teen shelves of most Auckland Libraries, it is also suitable for the more advanced readers of the children's fiction shelves. Many of the chapters are short and the pace is fast moving so it would be an ideal read aloud for families. It ticks all the boxes for me and I believe is Brian's best book to date. Five stars.