Breaking the Fall

Another winner from Cadnum, every bit as compelling as Calling Home and exhibiting an increasing maturity of style. Stanley hero-worships Jared and follows him in the risky game of breaking and entering - not to steal but to seize a trophy, to pass a test, to feel the addictive adrenaline rush of panic. He is consumed, losing self-respect, the girl he cares for and his place on the baseball team. The game ends only with Jared's death - and the sinister hint at the end of the novel indicating that Stanley will complete the game which Jared is no longer able to play. Poetic, haunting and brilliantly constructed - I have not read a better novel in this genre for Year 9 pupils and above since Keith Gray's Creepers.