Book Review: IA Initiate

IA Initiate

Growing up the one hundred and forty four square mile ghetto called the Exclave is hard for all of the over one million people living there. This is especially true for thirteen-year-old Naz Anderson and his little sister Meri. Living in a safe, but loveless foster care, it is Naz’s responsibility to care for his little sister who is a certified genius.

With all of his memories before a few years ago repressed, Naz works hard to survive day to day while avoiding the common pitfalls of drugs and gangs. His strategy is to keep his head down and stay unnoticed. Never walking the same path twice and hopefully getting out of the Exclave before anyone notices he is there.

But his plans are interrupted when a local gang sets their sights on him. They want him to join them. And they won’t take no for an answer. But there is something they don’t know. Naz and his sister as special. They’ve got hidden abilities that they must realize to overcome their obstacles.

This page turning book will keep you at the edge of your seat. The characters are real and make you root for them as they struggle to survive and maintain on the straight and narrow. With many great messages, it is a realistic super hero story that your children will love. And a book that parents will be happy they read.

I especially loved the educational aspect of the book. It has many great vocabulary words that are emphasized in appendix with several crossword puzzles and games. I highly recommend this book for all middle grade readers.

To find out more about author John Darryl Winston and the IA series, visit his website at http://www.johndarrylwinston.com/

Written by Benjamin Ellefson, who is an avid reader and author of the children’s book The Land without Color. Learn more at http://www.benjaminellefson.com/Land-without-Color/