Not long ago, I was pleasantly surprised to share with my kids the intense action of the first book (Derwood, Inc.) in this six-book series from Jeri Massi. Now I’m suddenly impressed once more and with the same kind of action in this second installment, A Dangerous Game. Maintaining a high level of suspense while keeping all religious talk as a mere undercurrent, this book (and series) ought to be a staple in adventure novels for Christian youth of all stripes.

While the characters are common between both books thus far, the star protagonists of the first story (Jack and Penny Derwood) play almost no role in this second story. Instead, starring in the lead role here is William Scruggs, the former-bully who had incessantly picked on the Derwood kids in the first book. He has since come to faith in Christ and is now on the bumpy road to change. He’s also on the road to a new foster home, no longer with his favorite surrogate-mother Mrs. Bennett in Peabody, WI, but with his wealthy Aunt Caroline in San Francisco, CA.

The book begins on edge with Scruggs being chased through the yards of Peabody and finding a mysterious note on his door with the warning, “BEWARE THE JUGGLER.” Uncertain of what it might mean, he becomes wary of his surroundings and all his new contacts. He fearfully flies to San Francisco, where he meets (interestingly enough) a juggler and his wife, the Derwood’s Christian uncle who promises to take him to church, and his Aunt Caroline—not to mention Caroline’s, well, cronies.

It doesn’t take Scruggs long to realize that his Aunt’s story might not be all that honest. Gunfire, kidnapping, foot-chases, and even drugs lay in his future, as does an incredibly expensive state secret in the form of as laser crystal.

Who are Scruggs’ enemies? Who can he trust? What sort of injuries is he going to sustain as he runs ragged across San Francisco from the clutches of smugglers and spies?

This book was fast-paced and entertaining—and not just for my kids (aged 8 and 10)! I enjoyed it too, and I look forward to what Book 3, Treasure in the Yukon, has in store for us.

This book contains enough troubling scenes in each chapter for a parent or teacher to use as jumping off points for serious conversations about trust, friendship, ethics, or a whole slew of related topics important for youth. I think it would make a great reading project for classrooms and youth reading clubs, maybe grades 5-8. I highly recommend it.

©2021 E.T.

Read More from JourneyForth Press:

• With Wings as Eagles by William Pinkston (1983)
• These Are My People by Mildred T. Howard (1984)
• Medallion by Dawn L. Watkins (1985)
• Derwood, Inc. by Jerri Massi (1986)
• A Dangerous Game by Jerri Massi (1986)
• Treasure in the Yukon by Jerri Massi (1986)
• With Daring Faith by Rebecca Henry Davis (1987)
• Courage by Darkness by Jerri Massi (1987)
• Some Summer! by Jean Vandervenne (1987)
• Llamas on the Loose by Jerri Massi (1988)
• The Runaway Princess by Milly Howard (1988)
• Abandoned by Jerri Massi (1989)
• A Question of Yams by Gloria Repp (1992)
• Brill of Exitorn by Peggy Downing (1994)
• Peanut Butter Friends in a Chop Suey World by Deb Brammer (1994)
• The Lost Prince by Peggy Downing (1995)
• Tales from Dust River Gulch by Tim Davis (1996)
• Camp Sierra Secret by Esther G. Wilkinson (1996)
• Chickadee Winter by Dawn L. Watkins (1999)
• Songbird by Nancy Lohr (2000)
• Nix by Penny McKnight (2006)
• Shield by Dawn Watkins (2008)