What do you think?
Rate this book
Code of Honor
Live by the code. Die by the code?
Kamran Smith has it all. He’s the star of the football team, dates the most popular girl, and can’t wait to enlist in the army like his big brother, Darius. Although Kamran’s mother is from Iran, Kamran has always felt 100% American. Accepted.
And then everything implodes.
Darius is accused of being a terrorist. Kamran refuses to believe it. But Darius has been filmed making threats against his country, hinting at an upcoming deadly attack. Suddenly, everyone in Kamran’s life turns against him and his family.
Kamran knows it’s up to him to clear his brother’s name. In a race against time, Kamran must piece together a series of clues and codes that will lead him to Darius—and the truth.
But is it a truth Kamran is ready to face? And is he putting his own life at risk?
Acclaimed author Alan Gratz (Prisoner B-3087) takes readers on a heart-pounding, nonstop adventure through underground intelligence bunkers and dangerous terrorist cells, weaving a gripping tale about the War on Terror—and the bond between brothers.
Kamran Smith has it all. He’s the star of the football team, dates the most popular girl, and can’t wait to enlist in the army like his big brother, Darius. Although Kamran’s mother is from Iran, Kamran has always felt 100% American. Accepted.
And then everything implodes.
Darius is accused of being a terrorist. Kamran refuses to believe it. But Darius has been filmed making threats against his country, hinting at an upcoming deadly attack. Suddenly, everyone in Kamran’s life turns against him and his family.
Kamran knows it’s up to him to clear his brother’s name. In a race against time, Kamran must piece together a series of clues and codes that will lead him to Darius—and the truth.
But is it a truth Kamran is ready to face? And is he putting his own life at risk?
Acclaimed author Alan Gratz (Prisoner B-3087) takes readers on a heart-pounding, nonstop adventure through underground intelligence bunkers and dangerous terrorist cells, weaving a gripping tale about the War on Terror—and the bond between brothers.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2015
922 people are currently reading
8597 people want to read
About the author
Alan Gratz
48 books4,812 followersAlan Gratz is the bestselling author of a number of novels for young readers. His 2017 novel Refugee has spent more than two years on the New York Times bestseller list, and is the winner of 14 state awards. Its other accolades include the Sydney Taylor Book Award, the National Jewish Book Award, the Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Award, a Charlotte Huck Award Honor, and a Malka Penn Award for Human Rights Honor. Refugee was also a Global Read Aloud Book for 2018.
Alan’s novel Grenade debuted at number three on the New York Times bestseller list, and his most recent book, Allies, debuted at number two on the list and received four starred reviews. His other books include Prisoner B-3087, which was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Readers pick and winner of eight state awards; Projekt 1065, a Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 and winner of five state awards; Code of Honor, a YALSA Quick Pick for Young Readers; and Ban This Book, which was featured by Whoopi Goldberg on The View.
Alan has traveled extensively to talk about his books, appearing at schools and book festivals in 39 states and a half-dozen countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, and Switzerland, and has been a Writer in Residence at Tokyo’s American School in Japan, the James Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, and the Jakarta Intercultural School in Indonesia.
Alan was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the 1982 World’s Fair. After a carefree but humid childhood, Alan attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a College Scholars degree with a specialization in creative writing, and, later, a Master’s degree in English education. He now lives with his family in Asheville, North Carolina, where he enjoys playing games, eating pizza, and, perhaps not too surprisingly, reading books.
Alan’s novel Grenade debuted at number three on the New York Times bestseller list, and his most recent book, Allies, debuted at number two on the list and received four starred reviews. His other books include Prisoner B-3087, which was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Readers pick and winner of eight state awards; Projekt 1065, a Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 and winner of five state awards; Code of Honor, a YALSA Quick Pick for Young Readers; and Ban This Book, which was featured by Whoopi Goldberg on The View.
Alan has traveled extensively to talk about his books, appearing at schools and book festivals in 39 states and a half-dozen countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, and Switzerland, and has been a Writer in Residence at Tokyo’s American School in Japan, the James Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, and the Jakarta Intercultural School in Indonesia.
Alan was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the 1982 World’s Fair. After a carefree but humid childhood, Alan attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a College Scholars degree with a specialization in creative writing, and, later, a Master’s degree in English education. He now lives with his family in Asheville, North Carolina, where he enjoys playing games, eating pizza, and, perhaps not too surprisingly, reading books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,153 reviews
June 16, 2021
3.5 Stars rounded up to 4
CW:
Well that was an exhilarating ride!
This fast paced thriller, whilst unrealistic, was incredibly engaging and I think it will be popular in the high school library I work at. I would have to say this is absolutely my favourite YA book by Alan Gratz. I look forward to recommending this in my booktalks.
CW:
Well that was an exhilarating ride!
This fast paced thriller, whilst unrealistic, was incredibly engaging and I think it will be popular in the high school library I work at. I would have to say this is absolutely my favourite YA book by Alan Gratz. I look forward to recommending this in my booktalks.
February 6, 2017
This book had me from the very start. It just brought me right into the book. It was crazy how he went from a superstar to a nobody, that everyone was scared of just because everyone thought his brother was a terrorist. I love how he tries to save his brother by doing all this stuff escaping government and escaping guards. I recommend this book for sure to anyone that like a realistic fiction book and a little bit of war / fighting
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2023
4.5 Stars
I loved this book.
I didn't think I would, as it's def not something I typically read, but I'm so glad I did!! It had a great buildup, climax and resolution, with a main problem and different crisis. I feel like an English teacher wrote it. XD (I mean that in a good way lol) And also, it felt like the characters were HUMAN not "fictional" if that makes sense, which I was pleasantly surprised by feeling.
I'm not giving it a total 5 stars because in my opinion the writing style could've been a bit more *polished*. The plot was amazing, so was character development, and the writing, but just for me, it was a tiny bit lacking. :)
Kamran's pov: Born For This by The Score
Darius's pov: Believer by Imagine Dragons
I loved this book.
I didn't think I would, as it's def not something I typically read, but I'm so glad I did!! It had a great buildup, climax and resolution, with a main problem and different crisis. I feel like an English teacher wrote it. XD (I mean that in a good way lol) And also, it felt like the characters were HUMAN not "fictional" if that makes sense, which I was pleasantly surprised by feeling.
I'm not giving it a total 5 stars because in my opinion the writing style could've been a bit more *polished*. The plot was amazing, so was character development, and the writing, but just for me, it was a tiny bit lacking. :)
Kamran's pov: Born For This by The Score
Darius's pov: Believer by Imagine Dragons
November 4, 2021
Okay, I am officially done with Alan Gratz...I loved Refugee and even enjoyed the history I learned in Allies while hating the language. I picked this book up because I thought, the language in Allies was just because he was trying to make it more real feeling, but nah. This book also contains language and I just don't have the heart to pick up another one of his books and be disappointed once again when it contains language.
I finished this book, enjoyed the story but so wish the language had not been in it. The story would have been just as good if not better without it.
~Kayti
I finished this book, enjoyed the story but so wish the language had not been in it. The story would have been just as good if not better without it.
~Kayti
December 10, 2025
This is my sixth Alan Gratz book, and, although it uses the same basic formula that has made his prior books enjoyable to one degree or another, I have to say this was my least favorite.
The premise was effective enough: The life of seventeen-year-old Kamran is turned upside down when his older brother is accused of being a terrorist. The early parts of the book are very suspenseful and moving as we watch the struggles Kamran and his family go through with the negative media attention and the resulting loss of their community ties. The action and stakes are amped up even further when the CIA grabs them in the middle of the night and locks them up in separate cells for agonizing weeks.
After that, the story gets more and more far-fetched, one crazy, unlikely Mission Impossible episode after another. Sure, there’s a lot of excitement, it’s just accompanied by a lot of eye rolling, and, in my case, mutterings of things like, “There is no way that would happen”. Also, I have to wonder why Gratz felt the need of including the low-blow comparison of Lindsay Lohan to a cockroach? Seems unnecessary and mean spirited.
Middle school and early high school readers will probably enjoy it more than I did as they see a protagonist about their age struggle against impossible odds. And it has some useful life lessons along the way that will be good for all readers to encounter and consider.
When I was still teaching, I frequently recommended Gratz’s books to students. Once a student even gave me a gift of one of Gratz’s autographed books, something I treasure. So overall I’m a Gratz fan, just not so much of this one that stretched the bounds of believability too many times.
The premise was effective enough: The life of seventeen-year-old Kamran is turned upside down when his older brother is accused of being a terrorist. The early parts of the book are very suspenseful and moving as we watch the struggles Kamran and his family go through with the negative media attention and the resulting loss of their community ties. The action and stakes are amped up even further when the CIA grabs them in the middle of the night and locks them up in separate cells for agonizing weeks.
After that, the story gets more and more far-fetched, one crazy, unlikely Mission Impossible episode after another. Sure, there’s a lot of excitement, it’s just accompanied by a lot of eye rolling, and, in my case, mutterings of things like, “There is no way that would happen”. Also, I have to wonder why Gratz felt the need of including the low-blow comparison of Lindsay Lohan to a cockroach? Seems unnecessary and mean spirited.
Middle school and early high school readers will probably enjoy it more than I did as they see a protagonist about their age struggle against impossible odds. And it has some useful life lessons along the way that will be good for all readers to encounter and consider.
When I was still teaching, I frequently recommended Gratz’s books to students. Once a student even gave me a gift of one of Gratz’s autographed books, something I treasure. So overall I’m a Gratz fan, just not so much of this one that stretched the bounds of believability too many times.
September 8, 2016
I can't decide if I like this book. It had lots of action. However, it was soooo predictable and unrealistic. It was hard for me to take at some points. But I can't help but wonder if my students will like this book. It might really appeal to a middle schooler. I almost want one of my students to read it and tell me what they think.
March 17, 2017
I loved this book because it shows the bond that two brothers could have, also this book has a lot of violence because part of their code is to "kill all monsters", I reacted to this in a lot of different ways because I think that the way that the kill these "monsters" is very crazy. Also it shows that if you have a great personality and confidence then you can do anything.
February 2, 2024
Code of Honor by Alan Gratz is certainly a fast-paced YA thriller alright. I've really enjoyed everything I've read from this author so far, and although this one may be my least favorite of the group so far. I wouldn't exactly say it's realistic but it had me definitely had me hooked and invested in Kamran's story. For me, that's the aspect that really makes it work for me - and that it feels like it's ripped from the headlines.
November 17, 2022
Een verhaal vol actie dat jongeren zeker zal aanspreken. In dit boek vind je o.a de thema's racisme, terrorisme en broederschap. Wel moet ik zeggen dat ik het verhaal op een gegeven moment wat ongeloofwaardig vond worden, maar desondanks bleef het spannend.
August 16, 2020
Finally! I'm catching up on reviews!
First off, let me say that I LOVED this book! The premise, the suspense, the characters (even if they did kill my favorite character *mad face*), so much about it!! I loved how I could see inside Kamran's mind, how I felt what he felt. Almost everything about this book was amazing!!!
All those plot twists...wow, it was just amazing. I might be hooked on some Alan Gratz now...he has incredible skills with plotting!
And characters...they all felt real. I loved them! (yes, even the one who died and the traitor - still upset that that person turned traitor :/)
One thing that I did notice that was strange in a thriller book (but would make a little more sense considering the military association that Kamran had) was all the descriptions of people. When a new character came in, they were thoroughly described. Physical features, clothing, maybe even attitude. It was just odd for a story like this, and seemed kinda unnecessary. But that was my biggest complaint writing-style wise.
Also - hats off to the author. Even though the book wasn't Christian, he never once bashed Christianity. Never once. It was mentioned, but not frowned upon.
While we're on the religion topic - this book seemed to clearly not be pushing any religion at the start (and for most of the book). At the very end, however, there was a Muslim push that I wasn't very fond of. Enough to keep me from recommending the book without warning the person or knowing that they wouldn't be shaken in their faith.
As far as content goes, what I mentioned above about religion might throw up the biggest red flag to some people. There was a lot of violence, too. It's a story about terrorists, y'all. It ain't gonna be pretty. But the violence wasn't excessive - never enough to really bother me, I don't think.
And...I apologize for how scattered this review is. I finished the book two and a half weeks ago, and a lot has happened in my life since then. So my memory of it is pretty fuzzy. Bottom line - if you won't be bothered by a very small amount of Muslim push and some violence, this is a really good action-packed YA book. It's the gripping, emotional kind of story that reminds me why I love YA so much!
*Update* After reading Kaitlyn Krispene's great review (here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2494961487?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1 ), I realized that I think I forgot a content issue - if I remember right, there were a couple of cuss words. I don't remember much at all, though. *sigh* I really don't need to wait so long for reviews. :D But I typically dnf a book if it has more than two or maybe three of what I consider profanities, so I'm assuming it wasn't more than two.
First off, let me say that I LOVED this book! The premise, the suspense, the characters (even if they did kill my favorite character *mad face*), so much about it!! I loved how I could see inside Kamran's mind, how I felt what he felt. Almost everything about this book was amazing!!!
All those plot twists...wow, it was just amazing. I might be hooked on some Alan Gratz now...he has incredible skills with plotting!
And characters...they all felt real. I loved them! (yes, even the one who died and the traitor - still upset that that person turned traitor :/)
One thing that I did notice that was strange in a thriller book (but would make a little more sense considering the military association that Kamran had) was all the descriptions of people. When a new character came in, they were thoroughly described. Physical features, clothing, maybe even attitude. It was just odd for a story like this, and seemed kinda unnecessary. But that was my biggest complaint writing-style wise.
Also - hats off to the author. Even though the book wasn't Christian, he never once bashed Christianity. Never once. It was mentioned, but not frowned upon.
While we're on the religion topic - this book seemed to clearly not be pushing any religion at the start (and for most of the book). At the very end, however, there was a Muslim push that I wasn't very fond of. Enough to keep me from recommending the book without warning the person or knowing that they wouldn't be shaken in their faith.
As far as content goes, what I mentioned above about religion might throw up the biggest red flag to some people. There was a lot of violence, too. It's a story about terrorists, y'all. It ain't gonna be pretty. But the violence wasn't excessive - never enough to really bother me, I don't think.
And...I apologize for how scattered this review is. I finished the book two and a half weeks ago, and a lot has happened in my life since then. So my memory of it is pretty fuzzy. Bottom line - if you won't be bothered by a very small amount of Muslim push and some violence, this is a really good action-packed YA book. It's the gripping, emotional kind of story that reminds me why I love YA so much!
*Update* After reading Kaitlyn Krispene's great review (here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2494961487?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1 ), I realized that I think I forgot a content issue - if I remember right, there were a couple of cuss words. I don't remember much at all, though. *sigh* I really don't need to wait so long for reviews. :D But I typically dnf a book if it has more than two or maybe three of what I consider profanities, so I'm assuming it wasn't more than two.
February 14, 2017
Didn't love the book, didn't hate the book. And that is probably the worst critisism you can give a book.
So Kamaran (probably spelt it wrong) finds out that his Brother has been responsible for a terrorist attack on american property in Turkey the night of the senior prom. And it highkey sucks. Mostly because everyone seems to treat him differently, like they're expecting him to go Jihad on the entire school. And apparantly the DHS thinks so too, because they kidnap him and his parents from his home and interrogate them for months.
But through all of this, Kamaran is convinced that his Brother has been framed. Captured by Al-quida, forced to say horrible Things. Mostly because his Al-Quida speeches have some rather odd References to persian legends that never even happened - persian legends he and Kamaran made up as children.
The book is well-written - obviously for a younger audience than myself. Short Chapters, quick pace. With twists and turns that make you root for Kamaran, you really do. But it's not going to get the nobel prize for litterature any time soon. (still this isn't the last book i will be Reading by Alan Gratz.)
So Kamaran (probably spelt it wrong) finds out that his Brother has been responsible for a terrorist attack on american property in Turkey the night of the senior prom. And it highkey sucks. Mostly because everyone seems to treat him differently, like they're expecting him to go Jihad on the entire school. And apparantly the DHS thinks so too, because they kidnap him and his parents from his home and interrogate them for months.
But through all of this, Kamaran is convinced that his Brother has been framed. Captured by Al-quida, forced to say horrible Things. Mostly because his Al-Quida speeches have some rather odd References to persian legends that never even happened - persian legends he and Kamaran made up as children.
The book is well-written - obviously for a younger audience than myself. Short Chapters, quick pace. With twists and turns that make you root for Kamaran, you really do. But it's not going to get the nobel prize for litterature any time soon. (still this isn't the last book i will be Reading by Alan Gratz.)
May 27, 2019
Alan Gratz's books are popular with my 8th graders. I've been wanting to read one of his books for a few years and had the opportunity this week to read this one. I ended up liking it, but it's not my favorite. It was a roller coaster of twists and turns that wore me out. There were a lot of events that were a little too much for me to buy into, like the way the childhood stories that Darius and Kamran made up as kids lined up so well with the terrorists' plots, and the fact that one of the CIA agents had a terrorist brother, and other things that I won't mention so it doesn't spoil the ending. In spite of all the problems I had, the book made me think about the prejudices and biases that people face because of their race or ethnicity. It brings to the forefront of my thoughts just how important learning about other cultures and faiths is to overcoming the fears that feed into those biases. Although the book wasn't my favorite -- too much violence for me -- I can see why my students like Gratz's books, and I'm glad I read it.
February 10, 2019
This book is just so unbelievable from the very beginning. Yes, it’s a work of fiction. Yes, that means liberties can be taken. But there are so many inaccuracies it leaves one’s head scratching.
The way the media is handled on all fronts is inaccurate.
Kamran’s miraculous escape??
The misinterpretation of the Green Day song “Time of our Life”
The waste of 50 pages on what could the clue “football bomb” mean...sheesh
Kamran’s anger...and him thinking he’s big when he’s 5’8 and 150lbs. That had me dying laughing.
Just put the book down now.
The way the media is handled on all fronts is inaccurate.
Kamran’s miraculous escape??
The misinterpretation of the Green Day song “Time of our Life”
The waste of 50 pages on what could the clue “football bomb” mean...sheesh
Kamran’s anger...and him thinking he’s big when he’s 5’8 and 150lbs. That had me dying laughing.
Just put the book down now.
June 2, 2017
it was ok but i think prisoner b-3087 is better
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2025
Met Erecode heb ik mijn eerste boek ooit gelezen van Alan Gratz. En ik zeg er direct bij dat ik verdomd niet weet waarom ik zo lang gewacht heb.
Stel je even voor dat je plots geconfronteerd wordt met je broer of zus die een aanslag pleegt op een ambassade en daarbij ook gefilmd werd. Stel je voor dat jij er zeker van bent dat dit niet klopt en dat hij/zij je signalen stuurt om je te helpen om verdere aanslagen te verijdelen en hem te vinden.
Daar gaat het boek Erecode over.
Kamran is de zoon van een Amerikaanse vader en een Iraanse moeder. Oudere broer Darius zit in het leger en Kamran hoopt om in de voetsporen van zijn broer te kunnen treden. Maar dan slaat alles om en wordt Darius opgemerkt op verschillende filmpjes en wordt hij beschuldigd van terrorisme. Kamran geloofd dit niet want samen met zijn broer houden ze al van kleinsaf vast aan hun erecode.
Gratz is een Amerikaanse auteur die vooral historische fictie en avontuurlijke verhalen schrijft voor jonge lezers. Meestal wel waargebeurde zaken die hij verwerkt in zijn verhalen.
Bij Erecode gaat het dus over terrorisme maar ook over het geloof van de ene broer in de andere.
Het boek had op mijn tablet 271 pagina’s maar bevatte wel eenennegentig hoofdstukken. Dan weet je al vlug dat de hoofdstukken zeer kort zijn, en ze lezen zeer vlot. Er is altijd wel iets aan de hand waardoor de spanning heel hoog blijft in dit verhaal. Van begin tot eind verslapt die koord niet.
De personages dragen het verhaal echt wel op hun rug. Ze komen waarheidsgetrouw over vooral wanneer men het heeft over het geloof behouden dat Kamran zijn broer niet de terrorist is zoals hij op tv getoond wordt. Want hoe behoud je dat geloof als iedereen er een andere mening op na houd dan jezelf?
Een verhaal met inhoud, een verhaal om bij stil te staan en een ideaal verhaal voor de wat jongere lezers die een wat zwaarder thema een kans willen geven. Het is een zwaarder thema maar Gratz maakt het behapbaar om het makkelijk op te nemen.
Zeer blij om deze auteur te leren kennen en er zullen waarschijnlijk nog boeken van hem de revue passeren.
Stel je even voor dat je plots geconfronteerd wordt met je broer of zus die een aanslag pleegt op een ambassade en daarbij ook gefilmd werd. Stel je voor dat jij er zeker van bent dat dit niet klopt en dat hij/zij je signalen stuurt om je te helpen om verdere aanslagen te verijdelen en hem te vinden.
Daar gaat het boek Erecode over.
Kamran is de zoon van een Amerikaanse vader en een Iraanse moeder. Oudere broer Darius zit in het leger en Kamran hoopt om in de voetsporen van zijn broer te kunnen treden. Maar dan slaat alles om en wordt Darius opgemerkt op verschillende filmpjes en wordt hij beschuldigd van terrorisme. Kamran geloofd dit niet want samen met zijn broer houden ze al van kleinsaf vast aan hun erecode.
Gratz is een Amerikaanse auteur die vooral historische fictie en avontuurlijke verhalen schrijft voor jonge lezers. Meestal wel waargebeurde zaken die hij verwerkt in zijn verhalen.
Bij Erecode gaat het dus over terrorisme maar ook over het geloof van de ene broer in de andere.
Het boek had op mijn tablet 271 pagina’s maar bevatte wel eenennegentig hoofdstukken. Dan weet je al vlug dat de hoofdstukken zeer kort zijn, en ze lezen zeer vlot. Er is altijd wel iets aan de hand waardoor de spanning heel hoog blijft in dit verhaal. Van begin tot eind verslapt die koord niet.
De personages dragen het verhaal echt wel op hun rug. Ze komen waarheidsgetrouw over vooral wanneer men het heeft over het geloof behouden dat Kamran zijn broer niet de terrorist is zoals hij op tv getoond wordt. Want hoe behoud je dat geloof als iedereen er een andere mening op na houd dan jezelf?
Een verhaal met inhoud, een verhaal om bij stil te staan en een ideaal verhaal voor de wat jongere lezers die een wat zwaarder thema een kans willen geven. Het is een zwaarder thema maar Gratz maakt het behapbaar om het makkelijk op te nemen.
Zeer blij om deze auteur te leren kennen en er zullen waarschijnlijk nog boeken van hem de revue passeren.
March 12, 2019
It was a high action thriller and you didn't know what was coming next.
February 2, 2023
IT WAS SO GOOD!!! AHHHHHHH
DARIUS IS GETTING ADDED TO CHARACTER CRUSH LIST LOL!!
ALAN GRATZ RULES!!!
DARIUS IS GETTING ADDED TO CHARACTER CRUSH LIST LOL!!
ALAN GRATZ RULES!!!
January 25, 2023
A real Page-Turner! Loved it! Although mature content in some places, so, I'd say 12+ for death and fear.
February 11, 2016
This book, Code of Honor, shows that family who sticks together, will eventually be in a better place than before. The main character is Kamran and he had to go through obstacle after obstacle to get to his brother who is assumed of being a terrorist. He had shown bravery and shown how much he cared and loved his brother enough, to put himself at risk. Kamran did not only save his brother, Darius from Al-Qaeda, but he also saved thousands and thousands of lives at the Super bowl. Overall, this book demonstrates heroism and how one boy can be put into a situation to possibly help other people, including a very close person that effects every day things. This book is recommended for people either in middle school or high school. I personally really liked this book because of how much detail and how the concept built up throughout the story.
December 27, 2015
This was an amazing book. It was full of action, good guys, bad guys, heroes, enemies, terrorists, race issues, it was just wonderful. This book was about Kamran Smith, who is half Persian. His brother and him live by a code. A military code that they invented. One night, the night of the homecoming dance, someone sends a racial slur Kamran's way. He thinks his mother will be mad, but his mother has bigger issues to worry about. His brother has been detected as a suspected terrorist. His brother, who is an army ranger and went to West Point military academy. This book is full of twists and turns and you will not know the ending of this book. It was impossible to predict. I highly recommend this book.
April 14, 2017
Kamran is the star football player, hangs out with the most popular kids in school, and he has been appointed to join Westpoint. When Kamran is at prom a big bully confronts him and accuses him of being the brother of a terrorist. Kamran's brother Darius has always lived by the code of honor, so Kamran is on a very dangerous journey to prove him innocent. I really enjoyed this because the moral is not to judge a book by its cover. I also enjoyed the fact that it was realistic fiction, one of the genres of books I would most likely pass by for fantasy fiction.
January 12, 2017
Want to read an audiobook on a tedious car trip and not zone out? This is the book for you! I can see why it was added to the Quick Picks list - this book moves at a very fast clip, with a lot of twists and surprises. The writing isn't the greatest, but it's clear and gets the point across. I was entertained, and will probably recommend it to teens or middle schoolers.
Recommended for:
Kids who want something more realistic than 39 Clues, or kids too young for Tom Clancy.
Recommended for:
Kids who want something more realistic than 39 Clues, or kids too young for Tom Clancy.
February 7, 2017
I really loved this book because it is a very good story about a boy and his brother. The boys brother Darius was know as a terrorist by everyone but his brother. His brother was convinced he was being held hostage and he tried to explain that but nobody would believe him. Darius was sending him secret messages through video to prove he's not a terrorist. Overall this is one of the very best books I ever read.
February 26, 2022
this was quite good 🦕 i loved how action packed this book was and how sadly realistic elements of the story were. Just an amazing book with so many emotions, loved all of the unique characters and conflicting moralities. If you are someone who likes action, historical fiction books then i 100% garante u will love this book !!!!
May 7, 2025
AMAZING book!!! 😄
October 6, 2023
cool
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2017
Code of honor was for sure one of the greatest novels I have ever read in my entire life, it could not have been any better. This book is about Kamaran Smith the Football athlete, and homecoming king. At first things are going great for him like getting Super Bowl tickets, becoming homecoming king and then you cannot forget the great relationship with his girlfriend, Julia Gary; when all of a sudden things went downhill and fast, first his brother then the DHS, CIA, and FBI then on top of all that the race to stop the Black Widow.
In the entire book my favorite character of them all, was Kamaran Smith the main character in the story. He was my favorite because he was very brave and perseverance on his quest to find his brother and uncover what really happened to him. I think this really shows how real the author made him feel when writing the story, another reason that shows how real he made the story is when he gives Kamaran mixed and very detailed emotions when needed in the story, exactly like a human being. This is also in collaboration with how well the scenes were written, specifically the action and intense scenes he really made me picture the scenes in my head so clearly as if I were watching a like action movie. If I had to rate this book on a 1-5 scale (1 being the worst and 5 being the best), I would give it a 20 because of how good it was! This story kept me on the edge of my seat at all times and I could not put it down for even a minute. I couldn’t predict what was going to happen next at all during the book because of how well it was written and how the tides turned so fast at some points. I would definitely recommend this book to any war realistic-fiction reader because of how realistic it was. And if you do read it I really hope you enjoy it!
Overall the story was amazing, and i was always wanting to read more! I loved all the characters, and how the author foreshadowed many of the the characters in the beginning to middle of the book but i was not entirely happy with how the author killed of/got rid of some of my favorite characters like the tech man and Julia the girlfriend But it was amazing other than that!
In the entire book my favorite character of them all, was Kamaran Smith the main character in the story. He was my favorite because he was very brave and perseverance on his quest to find his brother and uncover what really happened to him. I think this really shows how real the author made him feel when writing the story, another reason that shows how real he made the story is when he gives Kamaran mixed and very detailed emotions when needed in the story, exactly like a human being. This is also in collaboration with how well the scenes were written, specifically the action and intense scenes he really made me picture the scenes in my head so clearly as if I were watching a like action movie. If I had to rate this book on a 1-5 scale (1 being the worst and 5 being the best), I would give it a 20 because of how good it was! This story kept me on the edge of my seat at all times and I could not put it down for even a minute. I couldn’t predict what was going to happen next at all during the book because of how well it was written and how the tides turned so fast at some points. I would definitely recommend this book to any war realistic-fiction reader because of how realistic it was. And if you do read it I really hope you enjoy it!
Overall the story was amazing, and i was always wanting to read more! I loved all the characters, and how the author foreshadowed many of the the characters in the beginning to middle of the book but i was not entirely happy with how the author killed of/got rid of some of my favorite characters like the tech man and Julia the girlfriend But it was amazing other than that!
October 16, 2015
I picked this book up because an 8th grade boy recommended it to me, and I'm so glad because it was a good read. It's the kind of book that makes you want to keep turning pages as the plot rushes forward, helped along by short chapters and cliffhanger endings, building the suspense as it moves toward a thrilling ending (even if some events seemed to come together a little too easily at the end, but the excitement of the story lends toward forgiveness for that - as any good action movie would). Kamran's story portrays some of the difficulties of growing up Persian American in this country and address prejudice, stereotyping, friendship, family, and loyalty. This is one to recommend to teens who like reading war or suspenseful action stories. I would pair with Altered & I Am the Weapon/Boy Nobody.
July 4, 2017
Reader must suspend some believability, esp. when main character doesn't ask about parents while he is being held by government. However fans of the Alex Rider series will like this and there seems to be a hint of more to come. The current cultural issues are well portrayed and conflicted mindset of the main character in several situations rings true. Looking forward to book talking this one.
Book Talk:
Kamran is a football star, has a best friend, dates one of the most popular girls and is nominated for homecoming king. He plans to attend West Point following in the footsteps of his older army officer brother, Darius. Pretty normal until Kamran’s brother appears on television looking like a deserter and terrorist taking responsibility for the bombing of the U.S. embassy in Turkey, killing 53 people. Kamran’s house is surrounded by press, his friends and girl friend abandon him and now the government wants Kamran to help them capture and stop his brother.
Book Talk:
Kamran is a football star, has a best friend, dates one of the most popular girls and is nominated for homecoming king. He plans to attend West Point following in the footsteps of his older army officer brother, Darius. Pretty normal until Kamran’s brother appears on television looking like a deserter and terrorist taking responsibility for the bombing of the U.S. embassy in Turkey, killing 53 people. Kamran’s house is surrounded by press, his friends and girl friend abandon him and now the government wants Kamran to help them capture and stop his brother.
November 14, 2017
Totally unbelievable, but 100% enjoyable and fast paced. I can definitely see this book being popular with teens. Kamran has it all, he's a a football star, homecoming king, and has a smoking hot girlfriend. But that all comes crashing down when his older brother joins up with terrorists. He had been in the military but suddenly he's on the news making demands, condemning the US, and standing by while an innocent journalist is beheaded. Everyone writes him off, except for his brother. Kamran is convinced that his brother is giving him hints in the video and that he's being held hostage. Instead of being at high school, Kamran is now working with the US government and trying to get them believe that his brother is innocent. But will it be enough? Can they rescue him and stop the terrorists before they kill people? Short chapters, fast paced, and deals with hard themes like culture, religion, and judging others who are different from us. Surprisingly good!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,153 reviews