Iron Man: The Gauntlet - Hardcover

Eoin Colfer is the internationally best-selling author of the Artemis Fowl series, which is in development as a film with the Walt Disney Studio, with Kenneth Branagh attached as director. His other novels include the WARP trilogy, Airman, Half Moon Investigations, The Supernaturalist, Eoin Colfer's Legend of... books, The Wish List, Benny and Omar; and Benny and Babe. He lives in Ireland with his wife and two sons.

Gr 4–6—Readers familiar with the Marvel Universe know all about Tony Stark and his campaign to redeem the destructive legacy of Stark Industries, more often than not with the use of the Iron Man suit. While under his father's leadership, Stark Industries designed the most creative and destructive weapons in the world, and his dad was rather cynical about the use of technology. In this novel, written by the author of the "Artemis Fowl" books, these themes are never far from the forefront. Saoirse Tory, a young computer genius, tricks Tony, hoping to force him to save her sister, who she believes is being held captive. Unfortunately, one of Iron Man's many nemeses, the Mandarin, is waiting in the wings. Middle school readers, especially those who are fans of the superhero genre, will enjoy the action and changes of fortune as Tony fights to thwart the Mandarin's plans. The characters are well-developed; even the bad guys have interesting personalities. In the end, readers see how Tony has turned his father's cynicism on its head with a more hopeful application of Stark technology. VERDICT A solid addition to larger collections where Marvel fans abound.—Matthew Forster, Big Words, Clarkston, MI