Masterminds

Eli Frieden lives in Serenity, New Mexico - a small town where nothing bad ever happens and everyone follows the rules. The thirteen-year-old leads a peaceful life until he rides his bike toward the town border and becomes violently ill, setting off a chain of discoveries about his seemingly perfect community. As Eli and his friends investigate why they can't leave Serenity, they begin to notice strange inconsistencies in their daily lives. Their search for answers leads them to uncover dark secrets about their town's true nature and purpose. The book combines elements of science fiction with a contemporary thriller, following young teenagers who must confront unsettling truths about their identities and their place in the world. The story moves at a quick pace through twists and revelations while exploring serious questions about ethics, identity, and human nature.

Readers describe this middle-grade thriller as fast-paced with an intriguing sci-fi premise that keeps them guessing. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, which helps build suspense. Readers liked: - The gradual revelation of secrets and mysteries - Complex moral questions raised - Strong character development of the young protagonists - Appeal to reluctant readers - Clean content suitable for grades 5-8 Common criticisms: - Some found the ending rushed - A few readers wanted more background on the adult characters - Middle section pacing slows down Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (500+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 One reader noted: "The ethical dilemmas made my students think deeply and sparked great discussions." Another mentioned: "Perfect for fans of The Giver who want something more modern." Several reviewers highlighted that the book works well as a standalone but also leaves readers wanting to continue the series.

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🔍 The town of Serenity, New Mexico featured in the book is entirely owned and controlled by a mysterious company called Eli Genetics, mirroring real-world "company towns" that existed throughout American history. 🧬 Author Gordon Korman was inspired to write this story after learning about actual scientific debates surrounding human cloning and genetic engineering. 🏃‍♂️ The book's main character, Eli Frieden, discovers the truth about his identity at age thirteen - the same age Gordon Korman was when he published his first novel, "This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall." 🔄 Masterminds is part of a trilogy, with the story continuing in "Criminal Destiny" and "Payback," allowing readers to follow the children's journey to uncover the full scope of Project Osiris. 🎯 The novel addresses complex ethical questions about nature versus nurture by exploring whether children who are clones of criminals are destined to become criminals themselves.