Number 8

Jackson, a bona fide numbers freak, has never lived outside the city before. But his mother whisked them away to the suburbs after witnessing some after hours "dealing" at the casino she performed in, hoping they could just disappear. Soon, strange phone calls start making his mother nervous, a mysterious car keeps driving by their house, and a crazy driver almost runs him down. His new friend Asim recognizes these threatening tactics from his childhood as an enemy of Sadaam in Iraq. Still, Jackson is hoping to keep the growing danger a secret from his new girlfriend, Esmerelda. Until one night she disappears raising the stakes in a dangerous game where all bets are off.

Prepared to be glued to your seat by this character-driven mystery novel filled with math, gangsters, and a just a touch of OCD.

ANNA FIENBERG has written many award-winning novels and picture books in Australia. Her book Borrowed Light was published in the U.S. to enthusiastic reviews. Anna was born in England, and grew up in Australia.