Grk and the Pelotti Gang Book

NATASCHA AND MAX Raffifi, recently orphaned and new to England, are adjusting nicely to their new life. Anything's better than being on the run. Especially being reunited with their little black-and-white dog, Grk, and living with their friend, Tim.

But one afternoon, Natascha sees a familiar name in the newspaper headlines. The infamous Pelotti brothers are on a crime streak in Brazil. This gang of criminal masterminds has only ever been captured once - by her father. To avenge his senseless death, Natascha and Max know they have to act.

Setting off in the middle of the night, the Raffifis, with Tim and Grk at their side, arrive in Rio de Janiero ready for action. But they find more trouble than they bargained for

Children's Literature

AGERANGE: Ages 9 to 12.

In the first several chapters, it is difficult to believe that three young people would jet from London to Rio on their parents' credit card. Since one of them is fifteen, the plot is plausible, but for this reviewer, disbelief is not suspended until page sixty-two. At that point, the main character, Tim, is kidnapped in the favela with only Grk the dog to help him escape. Once Tim's actions are driven by survival, the total disregard for his parents is no longer a distraction. The action is fast paced as he escapes death by fire and water and pursues a gang of Brazilian bank robbers. Grk is an intuitive pup, and some of the story's success depends on the reader's past knowledge of him. This second "Grk Book" will appeal to current fans, and it leaves the reader wanting more with a preview of the next adventure in the final pages. Reviewer: Tina Dybvik