Stay in the Game

February 15, 2016
In this first book in the Contest series, written at a fourth-grade reading level, African-American high school senior James Trudeleau receives a mysterious email from an anonymous “Benefactor,” who challenges him to compete in a contest with a $10 million prize—money that could pay for an experimental treatment for his dying grandfather. James reluctantly complies, struggling with his moral compass as he performs increasingly dangerous tasks. Breathless pacing and an exciting cliffhanger ending offer solid hooks for readers to seek out the subsequent volumes (Raise the Stakes, Break the Code, and Turn the Tables), all available simultaneously. Ages 11–up.

November 15, 2015
This first in a series of five novellas that follow a single storyline introduces the first participant in a contest that seems too good to be true. African-American James takes care of his beloved grandfather, who is dying of a disease that's treatable with an experimental method not covered by insurance. Desperate, James enters a contest offered to him online by someone calling himself the "Benefactor." If James can complete 10 tasks before any other contestants, he will win $10 million. James agrees but soon grows suspicious that the Benefactor is up to no good. James must break into lockers, deliver mysterious packages, and, later, actively commit a crime. When he gets even the smallest detail wrong, the Benefactor threatens him. As James approaches the final tasks, he realizes he needs an ally to escape the Benefactor. Atwood weaves together the first three novellas, all of which follow different contestants, until a common narrative emerges. Although the novellas are numbered, they could be read in any order. Extremely short and written quite simply, they emphasize page-turning suspense. The major storyline clearly will resolve in the fourth and fifth books, almost compelling readers, reluctant or not, to continue with the series. Despite the book's brevity, James comes across as an admirable character even as he struggles to extricate himself from a seemingly impossible situation. Highly engaging, with more to come. (Thriller. 12-18)

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July 1, 2016
To win $10 million from the mysterious Benefactor, four teenagers must complete a series of ten tasks. Questioning the contest or contacting other contestants brings immediate consequence, and, worse, threatens their families, who desperately need the prize money. As the tasks grow increasingly sinister, the contestants work to outsmart the Benefactor. Despite some editing issues, these hi-lo books are nonetheless thrilling page-turners.

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)