Captive!

February 1, 1996
Gr 4-6-Roman Sanchez and his classmates are kidnapped by masked gunmen who threaten to kill them unless they are paid ransom money. Roman takes charge of the group in their fight for survival, using techniques and the karate taught him by his deceased father, a SWAT team officer. After an escape, recapture, and some life-threatening moments, the police catch up with them. This is a short, intense, action-packed story by a master of formula adventure. The implausibility of the situation and the lack of character development will be unimportant to readers caught up in the story. Reluctant readers will especially appreciate the hair-raising plot and the smooth writing that does not waste a word. Suspense is maintained to the very end. Anne Parker, Milton Public Library, MA