Written by Chris Rylander
You would think that executing seventh grade PrankPocalyse with his best friends, Dillon, Danielle, and new guy Jake, would make Carson Fender happy. It seems messing up the school just feels lackluster after saving the world. In Book One of the Codename Conspiracy series by Chris Rylander, Carson did just that: saved the world. However, the evil Mule Medlock got away. Now in Book Two, Countdown Zero, it looks like Medlock is back and Agent Nineteen has only 72 hours to live. Once again, Carson, known as Agent Zero, is called into action. This book started slow for me, spending too much time warming up to the real story action. But I have to say, some readers might enjoy the thoroughness of detail. The story line is a bit predictable and Carson, as a lucky bungler, always seems to end up on top (even against hordes of muscle-bound bad guys with heavy weaponry), stretching the imagination. But young readers would cheer him on. I think they would also like the humor and dialogue as Mr. Rylander has captured those two things accurately for the age group this story is intended for. There are also plenty of twists and turns. If the reader wanted more background, reading book one might help as it did me.
Review by Renee Larsen, Hillside Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★★✩ (4 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 5-8
Author Website: http://www.chrisrylander.com/
Countdown Zero (The Codename Conspiracy, #2)
Written by Chris Rylander
Walden Pond Press, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
359 pages
Release Date: February 3, 2015
