Virus

by Chris Bradford

Overview

The second book in the gripping, dystopian sci-fi series Everyone Can Be a Reader (Virtual Kombat), expertly designed to engage reluctant readers and provide an accessible reading experience for all.

Scott nearly died playing Virtual Kombat—the virtual-reality fighting game that risks the lives of street kids for profit. Now Scott’s being hunted by Wasp drones! While on the run, he meets a gang of techno-hackers who share his wish to destroy VK. They’ve developed a virus that could do the job, but to implant it, Scott has to reenter the arena and risk being trapped inside the game forever . . .

Perfect for anyone seeking futuristic middle grade books about video games and virtual reality, the Everyone Can Be a Reader (Virtual Kombat) hi-lo book series presents accessible techno-thriller tales in an easy-to-read style. Union Square & Co.'s EVERYONE CAN BE A READER books utilize dyslexia reading tools like specialized fonts and paper tones, and are carefully formatted to meet readers where they are with engaging stories that encourage reading success across a wide range of age and interest levels.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781454954767
Publisher:	Union Square Kids
Publication date:	04/02/2024
Series:	Everyone Can Be a Reader Series
Edition description:	High readability
Pages:	136
Sales rank:	26,741
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	640L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 13 Years

About the Author

As well as being a children’s author, Chris Bradford is also a professional musician and songwriter who once performed for Queen Elizabeth II. He has trained in a variety of martial arts, including samurai swordsmanship, and he has earned his black belt in kyo shin taijutsu, the secret fighting art of the ninja. His Bodyguard series was nominated for the Carnegie Medal. He lives in the UK.

Editorial Reviews

Featuring geometric spot-art images of attack drones and bladed weapons, this all-action U.K. import is written in staccato prose, presented in short, spaced-out sentences and paragraphs . . . . Like the opener, this episode ends with a twist that will have readers curious about picking up the next volume.”
—Kirkus
 

From the Publisher

2024-02-17
A team of gamers undertake a desperate mission to shut down an immersive video game before it kills any more contestants.

Having earned the “Elite Gamer” status in Gamer (2024) and then escaped from the literally deadly world of Virtual Kombat, Scott is well qualified to hook up with the VK Rebellion and lead a squad of hackers back into the virtual arena to plant a destructive virus. The running battle takes the team through various traps, ambushes, and violent displays of martial artistry with old foes and new in scenarios ranging from a “Wild West” setting to a generic “Shinto shrine” before climaxing in a face-off against the game’s evil owner on the “Last Level.” Featuring geometric spot-art images of attack drones and bladed weapons, this all-action U.K. import is written in staccato prose, presented in short, spaced-out sentences and paragraphs. The cast consists of stock types; the villain and his rebellion-leading, wheelchair-using twin brother are the only grown-ups in sight. Like the opener, this episode ends with a twist that will have readers curious about picking up the next volume. Physical descriptions are minimal; characters are cued white.

An uncomplicated beat down, violent if not particularly suspenseful. (Science fiction. 11-13)

Kirkus Reviews