Battle Boy: Vampire Virus

Charlie Carter (author)

Russell Jeffery (illustrator)

PanMacmillan, Australia: 2010; 89pp

ISBN: 9780330425872

Genres: action, adventure, science fiction

Napoleon Augustus Smythe (aka Battle Boy 005) is used to working on his own when sent back into the past on a mission so he's rather unimpressed to be assigned a partner; and not just any partner - a girl.

While she might be a virus specialist, she's also a stuck up know-it-all who seems determined to show BB005 that whatever he can do, she can do better. Can they manage to work together to eliminate the dangerous vampire virus that is raging in Ancient Rome, right near the Battle of Canae? And can they do it before history is altered?

Designed to attract reluctant readers, the Battle Boy books are action-packed adventures with cool gadgets and a bit of history thrown into the mix. Children will enjoy the lively narrative, cartoon-style fights and gruesome monsters.