HERE’S a really compelling, child-shaped thriller, crammed with interesting characters, adventure and lots of surprises.

Reynie, Kate, Sticky and Constance are all orphans and exceptionally talented. Brought together after winning a contest to find Gifted Children Looking for Special Opportunities, they find themselves enrolled on an extraordinary mission: to save the world from a villain who is using children’s brains to take control of the entire human race.

Isolated in a sinister school on a remote island, they must solve a whole series of challenging riddles and puzzles, race against time and save themselves from being brainwashed too.

This was deservedly a New York Times best seller and it’s a really great read. (Age 8+)