The Cassandra Virus [Anglais] [Broché]

Grade 5-8–Robot parts lay all around Jordan's house, where he shadows his sister, Cassie, a graduate student studying computer engineering. Technology runs amok when the bored computer geek designs a program that develops a mind of its own. Experimenting with go game programs leads Jordan to develop a supercomputer that somehow spreads throughout the university network, borrowing information to become more intuitive. Jordan uses Cassie's computer parts to create a robot that responds to voice and visual commands, and a self-serving administrator wants to use it for sinister purposes. Tension mounts as Jordan and his friend Helen are threatened by dangerous men who trash Cassie's lab and, after finding nothing, set out for Jordan's house. Ultimately saved by his robot, Jordan urges authorities not to destroy his benevolent virus, which even apologizes to those whose privacy she invades. Computer junkies will enjoy the technology aspects as well as the characters, whose humor and normal kid behavior will make readers believe this is all within the realm of possibility.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY
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"Endearing characters, including Cassandra, add depth to this fast-paced, futuristic, middle-school thriller..."

It's the near future. Computers are faster, cars run on fuel cells, and there's not much to do in the small town of Easter River if you're thirteen and not into team sports. Helen Chan-Fisher is happy enough trying singlehandedly to save the world's remaining amphibians from chytridiomycosis, but her friend Jordan O'Blenis is at a loose end. He may be a genius, but it seems like no matter what he tries to do, his robot-building older sister Cassie did it first. Then he has his great idea, an idea so great even Cassie hasn't done it. He'll write a programme for a virtual supercomputer, one that can live on the Web, and grow and spread and learn ....

Jordan calls it Cassandra. Helen calls it a virus.

Cassandra calls home...and when agents of the government security agency Bureau 6 try to seize her for their own purposes, it's up to Jordan and Helen to keep Cassandra from falling into the wrong hands.