Review of “Code Orange,” by Caroline B. Cooney
“Code Orange,” b
y Caroline B. Cooney is a thrilling science fiction mystery about a boy whose science project on infectious disease takes a deadly turn.
Mitty Blake has always lived a rather carefree life. He is interested in just two things: listening to music and Olivia, a girl in his advanced science class. But listening to his iPod during science class won’t help Mitty to keep his science grade up. And if Mitty doesn’t get an upcoming term paper turned in he will be dropped from the class, which will undoubtedly derail his budding romance with Olivia.
Rather unwillingly Mitty decides to start working on his science term paper. The subject that the science teacher chose for the class was infectious disease. Mitty finds this a little depressing, but at least he gets to choose which disease he will write about.
While at his family’s weekend house Mitty finds some old medical books published back in the early 1900’s. Mitty is intrigued to find that they are about small pox, a deadly disease that killed millions of people before its eradication. One of the books contains an envelope holding two smallpox scabs.
Mitty studies the scabs, then starts reading the books. The more that Mitty studies about smallpox and Variola Major, the virus that causes it, the more interested he becomes in his term paper. The term paper is coming together well, but Mitty can’t shake his uneasy feeling, because he realizes that he handled scabs from a disease that scientists never found a cure for. Suddenly a bad grade is the least of Mitty’s worries, because his science project has become a life or death issue.
“Code Orange” is a very thrilling book. Caroline Cooney manages to maintain just the right amount of suspense throughout the novel. “Code Orange” includes fascinating scientific details about smallpox and its history. The characters that Caroline Cooney uses in her storyline are solid, with strong personalities and supporting details.
I would recommend “Code Orange” as a science/mystery thriller that every reader will enjoy.
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Also posted at the old website as comment #28
First Comment Woohoo!
I love the use of creative fake sources in this book, and how Mitty is such an interesting character. I have never actually thought, “Hmm. Well, maybe I should go get started on my homework,” and actually doing it. It takes real consentration to make myself do it, and it seems Mitty should do the same. I literally loled when Mitty thought, “Crap, now he thinks I’m some fantastic college kid.” I also thought it interesting that even though you are in first person point of view you don’t know that
(WARNING: SPOILER AHEAD)
Mitty was faking sick so he could fight the foreigner terrorists.
To Anonymous (”im a girl and it didnt keep my attention at all” person) I am a twelve-year-old girl and I found it very interesting. Two thumbs up and an extra high five! :D
-Kira
Thanks for commenting Kira. I’m glad that you enjoyed “Code Orange.” It really is a fantastic science fiction novel.