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I Am Number Four
- By Pittacus Lore
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Super-powered fugitive alien finds high school romance.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this aliens-on-Earth sci-fi read focuses as much on high school social life as it does on one good teen alien's fight for survival. On the high school front there's some bullying, a fistfight, some drinking, and a house fire started by teen drinkers. When the alien-on-alien action comes to a head there are some intense battle sequences with big monsters, bloody injuries, limbs severed, death, and destruction. As John, or Number Four, begins to develop his superpowers and realizes the importance of them, he has a great mentor in Henri and friends he learns to trust.
What's the story?
The story of a cute alien finding both love and his superpowers while on the run from not-so-cute aliens -- that's probably the tagline that sold the movie rights. Here are a few more details: John is one of 18 to leave the planet Lorien before the evil Mogadorians completely destroyed it. The survivors made it to Earth and spilt up -- nine kids with nine mentors who must stay on the run from Mogadorians on Earth who want to finish the job. Thanks to a charm, each kid has a number and can only be destroyed in order. Three are dead as Number Four heads to Paradise, Ohio with his mentor Henri, who is waiting for John to develop his superpowers so he can begin to train him. Henri is thrilled when John's hands start to mysteriously glow, but John's training gets in the way of his romance with Sarah and friendship with Sam, who has an odd fascination with aliens already. Then, one of Sam's conspiracy newsletters -- printed only hours away -- mentions the Mogadorians. Are the evil aliens already hot on their trail?
Is it any good?
Here's a young adult novel that covers a lot of territory: superheroes, aliens, romance, high school bullying, and angst. Though the mish-mash of genres keeps I AM NUMBER FOUR from any real complexity, the various elements seem to blend together quite well -- only at the end, as expected, do readers get the all-out alien slug-fest.
John is a solid, good-hearted character, and his relationship with his mentor Henri is touching. Love interest Sarah seems to lose her depth as the story goes forward -- maybe it's the too-quick acceptance of who John really is that does it. But other teen characters grow in surprising ways. And there are just enough surprises and suspense to propel readers through the series -- and into theaters to see the film.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about superpowers. Why do you think stories about superhuman abilities are so popular? What sort of similarities do you see in the protagonists?
If you read the book first, does it make you want to see the movie? If you see the movie first, what drew you to the book? Did Hollywood get it right? What -- if anything -- would you have changed?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
I am number four... i think i'm in love lol
OMG i luved this book! i devoured it in less then a day!!!!! I cant wait untill the sequel comes out in august!!!!! I'm going to go see the movie this week!!!
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AGE
Perfect for Teens
The language was very powerful and violence was average.
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AGE
Violence made better for teens
I really loved this book!! It started slow but 200+pages later i became addicted. I finished in 2 days!! Hope the movies good!
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AGE
THIS BOOK IS NEAR PERFECT PERFECTION. I AM A GUY AND I EVEN CRIED IN THE END. ITS ACTION PACKED AND WILL MAKE KIDS STAY UP TILL ELEVEN TRYING TO FINISH. FOR PARENTS THIS BOOK IS SOO GOOD THEY WONT READ ANOTHER THING UNTIL THE SEQUAL.
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AGE
Twilight meets a boy narrator?
The story? A planet Lorien, much like Earth is struggling as monsters called Mongdarians begin destroying it. Only nine aliens from Lorien live, and they escape to Earth, each named after a number, the numbers is their protection. The Mongdarians are tracking down the nine in order of there numbers; one, two, three are dead, John Smith is next... Smart, scary, romantic, and a pinch of teen angst. This novel propels readers quickly along a whirlwind of alien action, teen kisses that will stay in your head, and of course, a silly narrator that makes one laugh, one cry, and one enjoy a violent, action packed story. The chemistry between John and Sara isn't that interesting, but WHATEVER! The book is good, enjoy!
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AGE
Not a terrible book for young teens-some violence and physical relationship to be aware of
I originally read the book to see what my 13 year old daughter was interested in reading. She does like things that are suspensful and gripping which for a teen I would say this book fit the bill. It was a good combination of typical HS drama (male/female attraction, jealousy, fighting, bullying, name calling) mixed with some imaginitive alien fiction. She enjoyed the book quite a bit, and to be honest, even though the story was far-fetched (in my opinion) the writing was excellent and I did find myself wanting to see how the book would end and get a sneak peek at the sequel.
As a parent I was concerned that the relationship between the main character and his girl friend would go too far. There were two scenes described in the book where the couple is kissing, both take place while the teens are alone in their bedrooms. The second scene takes place in John's bedroom when Henri is not home and the interaction between the teens is pretty descriptive and gets heated for teen readers. As an adult, I feel the writer is leading his readers down a dangerous path thinking that this is acceptible behavior for all teens. I will be keeping an eye on this particular topic it in the sequel.
I think the combination of action and the budding love story was a perfect combination to keep both male and female readers engaged.
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AGE
Amazing book! Loved the detail!
This book was amazing. It was kind of like Twilight for the males. Where as Twilight focused on fantasy and the female protagnist, it is now focused on Science Fiction and the male protagnist. There are some severe instances of violence, one which Henri points a gun at one guy's head. There is a lot of language and name calling, but makes it all the more like what schools are today. Still, ultimately you follow the good guys that are trying to hide from these evil aliens trying to wipe out both humans and the remaining Loriens. Family and friendship are big key components for the main character and he often is protective of them, especially his girlfriend. Love it, but more for older kids.
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Kid, 12 years old
March 26, 2011
AGE
Great Book! Good for Older Tweens, Teens, and Adults. :)
I love this book and I am eleven. I first saw the movie with my friend, and we fell in love. I have a very high lexile score, and I have read a lot. For example, Twilight, Shiver, Linger, and Forever (books with some language, romance, and action). I loved the book. Even though there is some language, it is nothing kids my age haven't heard before. There is NOT much romance, but there is some to keep things SPICEY :). I have read books with some pretty nasty things in them, (mostly violence and love) but they are wonderful. Don't believe that this is only for teens and adults, tweens can love it too!
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Kid, 12 years old
March 4, 2011
AGE
I Love Number Four
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time! Intriguing story of an alien kid trying to live a deascent life, although still hints his strengths against other kids just to evaluate who really is more powerful. Only sequences that might be to severe or coarse for younger tweens is when Sarah emphasizes how mean her ex-boyfriend (Mark James) is by using the word d*ck or the fact that every time another alien dies, Number Four's leg goes on fire. Overall, very phenemenol plot and potential (super) characters for most tweens.
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| Author: | Pittacus Lore |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Publisher: | Harper |
| Publication date: | August 3, 2010 |
| Number of pages: | 448 |
| Hardcover price: | $17.99 |
| Paperback price: | $9.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 14 - 14 |
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