Masterminds by Gordon Korman - ADVISABLE

Korman, Gordon Masterminds, 323 pgs. Balzer Bray (Harper), 2015. $16.99. Language:  G Mature Content: PG   Violence: PG 

Eli lives in Serenity, a small idyllic town in New Mexico.  There isn’t any crime, there isn’t any poverty, and there isn't any trash.  People don’t even lie in Serenity, and they don’t leave Serenity – why would they?  Until the day Eli's friend, Randy, is sent to live with his grandparents.  Eli misses his friend but doesn't think it's odd until he finds a cryptic letter Randy left telling him there is something weird going on in Serenity.  Randy tells him that he wasn’t sent to live with his grandparents, he was sent to boarding school to get him out of Serenity.  Randy tells Eli that he is special, to be careful and to try and find out what’s going on.  Eli shows a couple of friends the letter.  Initially, they don't believe him, after all, why would they? They are lucky to being living in such a wonderful place as Serenity.  Eli decides to do some digging around and manages to convince a few of his friends to help out.  What they find makes them question everything they know about Serenity and themselves.  

What a cute story, I really liked it.  The writing is clear, the story is fun, the characters are likeable with a few twists and turns I didn't see coming.  It was also funny, I actually laughed aloud a few times.  I have no idea where Gordon is going next but look forward to seeing what’s in store for Eli and his friends. 

EL, MS - ADVISABLE Reviewer: RB