The Grabbem Getaway: Axel and BEAST Book One (Adrian C Bott, illus by Andy Isaac, Hardie Grant Egmont)

When a shape-shifting robot breaks into his house, 12-year-old Axel is plucked from his computer screen into a high-stakes scenario to rival any of his beloved games. Thrust into a world of double agents, rogue robots and an evil nemesis, Axel must join forces with BEAST, the transformer-like robot who needs his help, and use his gaming skills to outwit a bully. The Grabbem Getaway establishes an exciting, fast pace for a new series. Paired with illustrations by comic-book artist Andy Isaac, the story by Adrian C Bott has the power to keep the attention of kids with its tight plotting. The book skims the surface on issues such as environmental destruction, consumerism and greed, but promises to develop these themes in further instalments. If you can convince a gamer kid to put the controller down and pick up this book, it will not be long before they are hooked. The action-packed adventure and tech speak will make them feel like they’re in a thrilling video game. The ‘Axel and BEAST’ series is perfect for children aged seven and up, and a great suggestion for fans of the ‘Zac Power’ series who are ready to step up from early readers to junior fiction.

Suzanne Garcia is a bookseller and buyer at Mary Martin Bookshop

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