Boy Nobody

Starred review from April 29, 2013
Zadoff (Since You Left Me) switches gears and shines in this violent, entertaining twist on the teen spy novel. His unnamed 16-year-old protagonist lost his identity when he was kidnapped and his parents murdered. Forced into a grueling training program, the teen now gets sent on undercover missions, befriending the children of powerful targets, getting invited to their houses, and killing their parents. He never questions his orders or actions until he’s given five days to infiltrate a ritzy private school and kill the mayor of New York City. Between the unreasonably short timetable and his attraction to Sam, the mayor’s gorgeous half-
Israeli daughter, he begins to wonder about his purpose and question the secretive Program that has trained and groomed him. Zadoff doesn’t break new ground, but he builds a tense and exciting story with a strong cast; Sam’s overprotective friend Darius and her frenemy Erica, in particular, are more complex than is typical for characters in those roles. If Zadoff occasionally pushes it with the gadgety spycraft, the blunt and hard-edged narration and twists will keep readers riveted. Ages 15–up. Agent: Stuart Krichevsky, Stuart Krichevsky Agency. (June)■