Author: Anthony Horowitz

Published: 2004

Publisher: Longman / Pearson

Format: Hardback

Pages: 221

Suitable: Secondary

They look like they're supposed to. They talk like they're supposed to. But they sure don't act like they're supposed to. Sixteen boys in a remote boarding school, children of some of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the world. Juvenile delinquents, all: drugs, shoplifting, vandalism. Yet suddenly they're perfect, well-behaved and studious. Identical in every way-or almost every way. Something is wrong. Very wrong. And only fourteen-year-old secret agent Alex Rider can save these boys from themselves. Should he fail, one man's sinister plan to conquer the world will become reality. Full of heart-pounding adventure, technological wizardry, tongue-in-cheek humor, and a James Bond-like spirit, this sequel to Storm-breaker is a thrill ride you won't want to let up.

What's the hook? Packed with action and offbeat humour, Point Blanc captivates readers of all abilities. What are the themes? Violence for political goals, more dilemmas and the misuse of science. Teaching points? Vivid descriptions, convincing dialogue and cinematic sequences offer opportunities for modelling and storyboarding. An excellent model for introducing irony and parody.