I Am Number Four
Author: Pittacus Lore (pseudonym for James Frey and Jobie Hughes)
I Am Number Four is a teen science fiction novel that will be the first of a series. It tells the story of John Smith (really), a 15-year-old who looks like he’s human, but is actually from the planet Lorien, which has been nearly destroyed by another alien race. Ten years ago, John and his guardian, Henri, escaped to Earth with eight other Lorien children and their protectors. They scattered throughout the world, knowing that the Mogadorians, the bloodthirsty aliens who destroyed Lorien, would try to hunt them down.
At the beginning of the novel, John and Henri, who live a nomadic existence in an effort to stay alive, realize that their enemies—who can only kill the Loriens in a particular order—will try to kill John (he’s Number Four) next. Fortunately, John, who is much stronger than a human, is also starting to develop powers that he can use to fight the Mogadorians. He and Henri move to the town of Paradise, Ohio, and for the first time John starts to make friends and meets a girl who gives him a reason to stay in one place—but what will happen if the Mogadorians find them? John’s new-found powers won’t be able to keep them safe, but he doesn’t want to leave Paradise.
I Am Number Four has an imaginative premise that helps propel the plot forward, and it draws an interesting parallel between John’s coming of age as a regular teen and what happens when he starts developing his powers, or Lorien Legacies. And although he’s an alien from an advanced race, he seems to have the same strong emotions that teens often experience: he wants to fit in, he wants to spend time with his friends and girlfriend, and he wants a sense of normalcy in his life, although he knows that one day soon, he’ll have to leave everything and go on the run again.
This is classified as a “young adult” book, and probably isn’t appropriate for readers under 14. There is a lot of violence, especially in the last five chapters of the book. There is some strong language, but believe me, you’ve heard worse walking by the food court at the mall. The romance between John and his girlfriend is tame by many teen novel standards, and honestly their relationship seems too good to be true. By the end of the book, though, John faces major upheaval in his life, and the plot is moved in a direction that should make for an interesting next read in this series.
This book was only published last summer, and the movie is already out. Hollywood grabbed this one pretty quickly!
