Mask of the Jackal
by Christine Harris
I'm always excited about bringing a new author to readers. Christine Harris, the author of Mask of the
Jackal, is from Australia. She has written over fifty children's books, including picture books, joke and
cartoon books, and novels for readers who are just discovering the joys of reading and for more sophisticated young
teen readers. She handles historical fiction and spy novels as easily as horror, fantasy, and science fiction.
Harris won her first writing prize when she was in second grade and has continued to earn prestigious awards for
her books in Australia.
In Mask of the Jackal, Harris tells the story of Morgan Steele, a boy who finds himself in a museum
basement writing his observations about Egyptian mummies for a class assignment. That simple task soon has him neck
deep in trouble when he and his best friend, a girl named Jordy Logan who is deaf, are kidnapped and at the mercy of
a rich man's henchman. Interwoven with this modern story is the story of an Egyptian mummy, which adds layers of
depth to a simple adventure.
The action here is non-stop and certainly kept me turning pages. Morgan and Jordy are aptly drawn as very capable
kids who can keep their heads in a very nasty situation. Even their use of sign language is clever.
Since Christine Harris likes to write books in a series—and she has several—I'm hoping that Morgan
and Jordy will become regulars in a new series. I really like these kids and would love to read more of their
exploits. |
The Book |
Launch Press |
February 2008 |
Paperback |
978-0-646-48531-7 |
Fiction / Children 9-12 years |
More at Author's site |
Excerpt |
NOTE: Story involves Deaf Characters |
The Reviewer |
Janie Franz |
Reviewed 2008 |
NOTE: Reviewer Janie
Franz is the author of Freelance Writing: It’s a Business, Stupid!and co-author of
The Ultimate Wedding Reception Book and The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Book. |
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