THE YEAR OF THE TIGER

The year is 1974, and Mike Turner is a 13-year-old boy living at Children’s Christian Hostel in Singapore. He spends his time going to school, putting up with his immature roommates, and most notably, awaiting his parents’ return from South Vietnam. However, during their time working in the Foreign Service, Mike’s parents suddenly go missing. Then things only get weirder when a mysterious man in a Hawaiian shirt starts appearing everywhere Mike goes. Soon, Mike is recruited by the CIA to work undercover in order to serve his country in the Cold War, but not everything is what it seems. Armed with fierce faith, a strong sense of morality, and The Boy’s Book of Spy Craft, Mike decides to do whatever it takes to save himself and find his parents. This is a steadily paced historical novel that interweaves both international diplomatic adventure and pre-teen angst; it also works as a pulse-pounding political thriller and poignant coming-of-age story. There are also themes dropped in here that any young adult can relate to: strict teachers, annoying roommates, and the awkward isolation of youth, to name a few. However, the novel could benefit from further historical context surrounding Mike’s adventures throughout. Adult readers will likely be familiar with the seemingly unending Cold War-related global conflicts of the 1970s, including the 12-year-long Vietnam War; however, young teens may not be as well informed, which could lead to difficulty understanding Mike’s motivations and the extent of the danger he faces. Still, though, the author creates a unique narrative starring a likable protagonist, a thrilling conspiracy, and enough espionage to keep the reader guessing with every turn of the page.