The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson

From the author's website: HE WAS BORN WITH GREAT POWER The greatest superpower of all isn't to be part spider, part man, or to cast magic spells–the greatest power is the power to create.Daniel X has that power. AND A DEADLY SECRET Daniel's secret abilities–like being able to manipulate objects and animals with his mind or to re-create himself in any shape he chooses–have helped him survive. But Daniel doesn't have a normal life. He is the protector of Earth, the Alien Hunter, with a mission beyond anyone's imagining. NOW THE FATE OF THE WORLD RESTS ON DANIEL X From the day that his parents were brutally murdered before his very eyes, Daniel has used his unique gifts to hunt down their assassin. Finally, with the help of The List, bequeathed to him in his parents' dying breath, he is closing in on the killer. Now, on his own, he vows to carry out his father's mission–and to take vengeance in the process.

This book was a surprise. I didn't know that James Patterson wrote any juvenile fiction - I only knew him from the mysteries he writes for adults. So I was surprised that he wrote it and then....I was surprised that I liked it! I didn't really know what it was all about when I bought it - it was an impulse buy at the local bookstore because I needed an "X" for the A-Z Reading Challenge! I was in the store picking up my boys' summer reading books for school (Tween reading Treasure Island will be the subject of another post - much wailing and moaning and gnashing of teeth) and that big "X" on the cover just called to me. I spread myself out on the couch Sunday afternoon and started and there I laid for the next few hours fascinated at this child who is an alien hunter and his battles with the beasts. I'm definitely not a science fiction/fantasy kind of girl but I enjoyed this one. That may have a lot to do with the fact that it is written for children so it was in no way a challenging read - had it been difficult I might not have had the motivation to stick with it. I'm saving it for after Tween finishes Treasure Island and perhaps it will appeal to him too - that's called optimism!

This book is my "X" for the A-Z Reading Challenge! Click on the logo to see my progress.