Brainboy and the DeathMaster (Laura Geringer Books) [Paperback]

Tor Seidler (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Laura Geringer Books

Darryl Kirby is an orphan. He is also a whiz at computer games -- especially those conceived by Keith Masterly, the greatest software guru of all time. But when Darryl plays a new prototype of his favorite game, StarMaster, strange things begin to happen. After he finds his way through a tortuous maze and answers questions that could stump a scientist, a mysterious message -- "WANT TO PLAY?" -- invites him into a game in which the stakes are higher than they first appear -- a game that eventually lands him in a luxurious laboratory where Masterly has enlisted a brain trust of children for a secret purpose of his own. Befriended by Nina, who suspects Masterly's motives, Darryl slowly uncovers a sinister plan and finds himself the star in his own real-life computer game. But will he and Nina be able to stop Masterly and escape before it is too late?

Brainboy and the Deathmaster is a fast-paced, high-tech mystery-adventure by National Book Award finalist Tor Seidler, author of the modern-day classic Mean Margaret.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7-A fast-paced, science-fiction adventure. Darryl recently lost his entire family in a horrible fire, and now resides at an orphanage funded by Keith Masterly, founder of the world's largest computer empire. After Darryl plays exceptionally well on the version of "Stargate" found on the laptop in his room, he's unexpectedly adopted and whisked away by Masterly himself. At first, the boy is thrilled to be a part of Paradise Lab, where there are lots of other smart kids like him, all helping Masterly conduct science experiments aimed at "conquering time." But Darryl and his friend Nina come to realize that Masterly's ultimate goals are deadly, and it's up to them to rescue everyone from a madman's evil grip. Though the plot, and especially the ending, is far-fetched, Seidler has created empathetic characters and writes at a level that is accessible even to readers not usually drawn to this genre. Despite the high-tech backdrop, it is Darryl's emotional journey that resonates and makes this novel a worthwhile purchase.
Ronni Krasnow, New York Public Library
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. Twelve-year-old Darryl Kirby lost his entire family in a fire. His subsequent placement in the Masterly Children's Shelter introduces him to Boris and BJ and to StarMaster 3, a video game more intricate than any he's ever encountered. The first couple of chapters are a bit of a snooze for the reader not heavily into PlayStation culture, but Brainboy quickly morphs into an absorbing thriller about a group of brainy orphans recruited by software guru Keith Masterly to further his sinister plans. Darryl uncovers the purpose for Masterly's luxury think tank and his ultimate plan for the orphans' demise. From there, the story flows smoothly between the captive "team's" escape plan and the savvy detective work of the kids on the outside, who are left wondering about the fate of their friends. As rich in texture as the novels of Avi and Gail Carson Levine, Brainboy deftly bridges the gap between the young-adult thriller of a past generation and the high-tech adventures of this one. Terry Glover
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (June 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006440935X
• ISBN-13: 978-0064409353
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,548,406 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A pleasant children/young adult selection, January 7, 2004

By 

E. Scott - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brainboy and the DeathMaster (Paperback)

My wife, a children's librarian, had me read this book, and overall, I was pleased with it. It's particularly appropriate for intelligent children who may feel different at school because of their intelligence. Some of the themes of this book seem borrowed from the famous "Ender's Game," which is a favorite among highly intelligent young readers, as both books deal with identifying and utilizing the skills of highly intelligent children.

This book has several other appeals. It's generally fast-paced, which makes it good for most children/young adults. It deals with real issues, such as death in the family, children with no parents, children with single-parents, inter-racial friendships, etc. And all issues seem to be handled quite well.

It also has realistic dialogue among suburban kids, which many books find difficult to achieve. It also doesn't talk down to kids, nor get preachy about how kids should behave. (i.e. one of the main child characters is a chain smoker and a thief).

And despite taking some guidance from "Ender's Game," it does manage a very innovative concept, which I found enjoyable. I was genuinely interested to finish the book and see how it was all resolved.

Overall, I recommend this book for parents who wish to get their children interested in reading. Its fast-paced nature, handling of real issues, and its focus on video games should make most children very willing to read this book. I just suggest that parents discuss some of the issues raised in the book with their children, because it deals with mature concepts and delinquent behaviors.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brainboy and DeathMaster, September 28, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Brainboy and the DeathMaster (Paperback)

This story is cool!It is about a boy who was an orphan because his family was burned in a fire.He survives becauce he was in his treehouse when the house burned down.In the story he makes a friend.His friend BJ was about to adopt him but it was to late.A rich guy adopts him.He makes them take pills.In his house there was no windows or telephones.His friend BJ gets worry because he hasn`t heard of his friend.BJ`s other friend is looking for his sister.Meanwhile they find out that the rich person actually owns a game and they find out that the both people they were looking for were with him.Meanwhile the main character is working on this thing that helps you get young.At the end of this incredible book at the end the main character finds out that the rich guy was using them and after they found out how to make people young he was going to kill them.So then thy all escape from a vent.So when they found out that they were going to die the main character puts a lot of the young potion in his drink.So then the bad guy sets a bomb on the mountain.When the bad guy escapes BJ comes and helps them out.So they escape from the mountain.Later the bad guy turns into a baby while his in the holicopter and dies.So then BJ adopts the main character and thats how this story finishes.

I surely recommend this book for people who like action books. -Roberto O

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A tedious and disturbing mess, April 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Brainboy and the DeathMaster (Paperback)

This is but another is a flood of recent books directed at young children (boys, mostly)which pander to kids' infatuation with video games as a substitute for actual plot and character development. The endless, detailed descriptions of ficticious video games is enough to make even the most avid gamer flip forward in search of a real story. Far from turning kids onto reading, this book is more likely to convince them that video games are a better way to spend their time. Also, parents should note that, although the book jacket says this book is for ages 8 and up, it is clearly inappropriate for children that young. The main character is an orphan because every member of his family -- grandparaents, parents, brother, aunts and uncles - are killed in a house fire while the boy sleeps outside in a tree house. The main character and other children are then "adopted" by a maniacal computer genius who drugs them and keeps them captive to work on his next great invention and then plans to killl them all. Young children are likely to find this type of subject matter, and the callous way in which it is depicted, deeply upsetting.