The Secret of Rover

Starred review from April 1, 2011

Gr 5-8-Katie and David's mom and dad are no ordinary parents. Along with Mrs. Bowden's reclusive brother, Alex, they are the designers of Rover, a top-secret spying device recently purchased by the U.S. government. The sale of Rover brings the family a financial windfall, so they are finally able to afford the third child they have always wanted. The kids are thrilled when their parents decide to adopt a baby from the war-torn nation of Katkajan, which is clearly meant to resemble a Middle Eastern country. The night before leaving to pick up Theo, the Bowdens introduce a Katkajanian nanny who will care for Katie and David while their parents are away. Unfortunately, Trixie is not a nanny, but a member of a gang of insurgents. Her counterparts kidnap the Bowdens and Theo as soon as they arrive, and David and Katie become prisoners in their own home. A daring escape leads them to their reclusive uncle in the mountains of Vermont. A breathtaking game of cat and mouse follows as the kidnappers pursue them relentlessly, and they fight to save their parents and sister. David and Katie's relationship is realistically and amusingly portrayed in all its sibling rivalry and friendship. Their smarts and moxie are tempered with just enough rash impulsiveness to make them believable. Fans of Roland Smith's "I.Q" series (Sleeping Bear) will love this fun, intelligent, political page-turner.-Mandy Lawrence, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2011
Grades 4-7 Twelve-year-old twins David and Katie Bowden live a blissful life in Washington, D.C. The strength of their nuclear family, even with the requisite sibling bickering, has made up for their material poverty. Then their parents invention of Rover, a secret military device, suddenly lands them in the lap of luxury. While traveling abroad to adopt a new baby, the Bowden parents are kidnapped, and David and Katie find themselves held captive by a nefarious nanny. After escaping, the twins embark on a Spy Kidsstyle adventure to save the day. Wildavsky spins a yarn thats tight and compelling, balancing high-stakes jeopardy (escaping kidnappers in a high-speed car chase) with more basic, earthy troubles (what to eat and where to go to the bathroom). The situations and their outcomes are not all entirely plausible, but the young heroes meet them convincingly with their wits and courage. Carefully placed bread crumbs will satisfy young mystery enthusiasts, while the sweet, detailed portrait of a tightly knit family will widen this titles appeal.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)