Evil Star

Kathleen Karr - Children's Literature: British writer Anthony Horowitz is currently riding high between his "Alex Rider" adventure series and book one of "The Gatekeepers." Book two of the fantasy series should keep him on that best-selling plateau. Fourteen-year-old reluctant superhero Matt Freeman has not been adjusting well to his new life in York with his journalist/protector/friend, Richard Cole. Richard is never around, and his posh school offers no friends for this former slum kid. When his mad Aunt Gwenda comes gunning for him, Matt's best option is to accept the secret organization Nexus's offer of a trip to Peru to find a book that might give clues to the next scheduled "gate opening." Peru is another nightmare, but it does introduce Matt to one of his fellow "five"?the Lima street urchin, Pedro?and teaches him how to use his unusual dreams. But hold on, there is also a marvelous arch villain, ancient Incas, and the Nazco lines. Somehow Horowitz manages to hold it all together, make it believable, and keep the pages turning. The only possible complaint after the last page has been turned is, why isn't Book Three already written? 2006, Scholastic, Ages 10 up.