Dangerously Placed

March 1, 2012
Grades 6-9 This Australian import is an appealing Scooby Doolike blending of virtual reality, workplace drama, and young love. Alex is excited for her work experience placement at Simulcorp, the only company in the world to use a virtual reality workspace (called Virk). For ambitious Alex, her work in the marketing division could lead to a coveted internship, as long as she outshines her friendly (and hot) rival, Dale, and impresses her tyrannical boss, Mr. Grody. Unfortunately, Mr. Grody is murdered, and when Alex becomes a suspect, she and her motley group of friends decide to clear her name by finding the real killer. Suspects abound: Dale, who has a mysterious secret; a kindly office manager who appears to have no real-space identity; a missing employee no one really remembers; and even Mr. Grody himself. The gang's sleuthing is implausible but entertaining, while Alex's run-ins with the murderer provide well-paced thrills. The hyperrealistic Virk technology is detailed enough to be believable while still intriguingly futuristic, and a sweet romance caps off this safe sci-fi mystery.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)