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Danger
400 Minutes of Danger (Countdown to Disaster 2)
Ten life-or-death situations. Ten brave kids. Ten linked stories. Each ordinary hero in this thrilling middle-grade adventure collection has only 40 minutes to escape!
Brad has fallen into a lion enclosure, and the big cats are hungry. Charith has to take the wheel of an out-of-control bus after an explosion. Tak's class trip to an army base is interrupted by an experimental military robot that's hunting them. How will they save themselves? This fast-paced short story collection stars everyday young heroes who must fight to survive . . . with only 40 minutes to figure out how to escape! Kids will be on the edge of their seats following these ten linked stories—even as a clock on the margins of every page counts down the seconds.
Brad has fallen into a lion enclosure, and the big cats are hungry. Charith has to take the wheel of an out-of-control bus after an explosion. Tak's class trip to an army base is interrupted by an experimental military robot that's hunting them. How will they save themselves? This fast-paced short story collection stars everyday young heroes who must fight to survive . . . with only 40 minutes to figure out how to escape! Kids will be on the edge of their seats following these ten linked stories—even as a clock on the margins of every page counts down the seconds.
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2016
20 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Jack Heath
67 books808 followersJack Heath wrote his debut novel, The Lab, in secondary school and sent it to a publisher at age seventeen. He's now the award-winning author of forty novels for adults and children, including the international bestsellers Hangman, The Wife Swap and 300 Minutes of Danger. His books have been translated into ten languages, optioned for TV and adapted for film. He lives on Ngunnawal/Ngambri country in Canberra, Australia, with his wife, their children, several chickens, a few fish and a possum named Oreo.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 9, 2019
Book was brilliant!! 😀
December 16, 2020
Brilliantly Written… Captivating Fun… a Thrill Ride You Can’t Afford to Miss!
Ten life-or-death situations. Ten brave kids. Ten linked stories. Each ordinary hero in this thrilling middle-grade adventure collection has only 40 minutes to escape!
Brad has fallen into a lion enclosure, and the big cats are hungry. Charith has to take the wheel of an out-of-control bus after an explosion. Tak’s class trip to an army base is interrupted by an experimental military robot that’s hunting them. How will they save themselves? This fast-paced short story collection stars everyday young heroes who must fight to survive . . . with only 40 minutes to figure out how to escape! Kids will be on the edge of their seats following these ten linked stories—even as a clock on the margins of every page counts down the seconds.
Published November 2020
192 Pages
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
Like a great big puzzle all spinning and looping together in a complicated yet exhilarating roller coaster ride full of suspenseful twists and turns that keeps the reader engaged and looking for the next puzzle piece to fall in place. Wildly imaginative, full of volcanos, giant mosquitos, runaway vehicles, dinos, and bad guys, this story challenges kids to solve their situations or…
Love the challenges, and Heath’s creativity. He spins amazing situations in ten short stories that connects characters together like a spider’s web. Great story for both middle grade readers and adults. Lots to enjoy: tension filled scenes, suspenseful twists and hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Highly recommend this book to all.
Ten life-or-death situations. Ten brave kids. Ten linked stories. Each ordinary hero in this thrilling middle-grade adventure collection has only 40 minutes to escape!
Brad has fallen into a lion enclosure, and the big cats are hungry. Charith has to take the wheel of an out-of-control bus after an explosion. Tak’s class trip to an army base is interrupted by an experimental military robot that’s hunting them. How will they save themselves? This fast-paced short story collection stars everyday young heroes who must fight to survive . . . with only 40 minutes to figure out how to escape! Kids will be on the edge of their seats following these ten linked stories—even as a clock on the margins of every page counts down the seconds.
Published November 2020
192 Pages
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
Like a great big puzzle all spinning and looping together in a complicated yet exhilarating roller coaster ride full of suspenseful twists and turns that keeps the reader engaged and looking for the next puzzle piece to fall in place. Wildly imaginative, full of volcanos, giant mosquitos, runaway vehicles, dinos, and bad guys, this story challenges kids to solve their situations or…
Love the challenges, and Heath’s creativity. He spins amazing situations in ten short stories that connects characters together like a spider’s web. Great story for both middle grade readers and adults. Lots to enjoy: tension filled scenes, suspenseful twists and hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Highly recommend this book to all.
July 9, 2017
Awesome fun. Heath is a talented young writer. He knows what excites kids, particularly boys (although I am not saying this is a boys' book). In this book of ten short stories he puts ten young people into impossible situations with just 40 minutes to get out alive. In each case the chances of survival seems slim and the tension ratchets sky high.
The more improbable the scenario, the more fun! From giant mosquitoes to underwater volcanic eruptions, bad guys with guns, dinosaurs, snakes and malevolent war robots, each one is a winner. And the joy of the format is that you can dive in when you want, for as long as you want.
The further you get through the stories, the more you start to realize the connections between them, until you discover that on some level, they are all connected.
It's a book that will draw in reluctant readers, but suitable for any young reader and a lot of fun for adults as well.
The more improbable the scenario, the more fun! From giant mosquitoes to underwater volcanic eruptions, bad guys with guns, dinosaurs, snakes and malevolent war robots, each one is a winner. And the joy of the format is that you can dive in when you want, for as long as you want.
The further you get through the stories, the more you start to realize the connections between them, until you discover that on some level, they are all connected.
It's a book that will draw in reluctant readers, but suitable for any young reader and a lot of fun for adults as well.
January 29, 2021
Action junkies get a full adrenaline rush as every page packs high stakes, super tension, and impossible situations where quick thinking and trusting the gut are the only way to survive.
This is a collection of ten stories, where action and danger reign. Each tale is independent from the others, and each one shows a very different situation. The only similarities are that the heroes/heroines are kids and that every situation is life threatening. The threats come from nature as well as man as each one has a kid unexpectedly caught up in the middle of a disaster about to happen. It's not for the light-hearted or sensitive reader, since these do include violence, intended murder, and simply pure evil intentions...but some of these tales also arise from pure accidents, which arise without warning. In each one, the hero succeeds, but this knowledge does not make the tale any less tense.
As a clever, and extra high-stakes builder, each tale is accompanied by a count-down along the edge of the page, which signifies how much more time each tale has on the clock. I caught myself glancing at it, seeing how much time the heroes/heroines had, and how much had passed. (Just an extra fun).
But then, time is key in these tales, since each one hinges on the quick thinking and reactions. The author wastes no time throwing the reader into the situation and letting the danger fly until the last sentence of each story. This also means that settings and character depth isn't the point and little to no time is spent on this end. That does make the characters a little superficial and hard to really care for, but since these stories are so hard and fast, there's no time to consider that, either. As said, this is for action fans pure, who love the quick rush.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed diving from one adventure into the next.
This is a collection of ten stories, where action and danger reign. Each tale is independent from the others, and each one shows a very different situation. The only similarities are that the heroes/heroines are kids and that every situation is life threatening. The threats come from nature as well as man as each one has a kid unexpectedly caught up in the middle of a disaster about to happen. It's not for the light-hearted or sensitive reader, since these do include violence, intended murder, and simply pure evil intentions...but some of these tales also arise from pure accidents, which arise without warning. In each one, the hero succeeds, but this knowledge does not make the tale any less tense.
As a clever, and extra high-stakes builder, each tale is accompanied by a count-down along the edge of the page, which signifies how much more time each tale has on the clock. I caught myself glancing at it, seeing how much time the heroes/heroines had, and how much had passed. (Just an extra fun).
But then, time is key in these tales, since each one hinges on the quick thinking and reactions. The author wastes no time throwing the reader into the situation and letting the danger fly until the last sentence of each story. This also means that settings and character depth isn't the point and little to no time is spent on this end. That does make the characters a little superficial and hard to really care for, but since these stories are so hard and fast, there's no time to consider that, either. As said, this is for action fans pure, who love the quick rush.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed diving from one adventure into the next.
November 13, 2024
The book I have been reading is called “400 minutes of danger”, if I were to rate it out of 5 I would give it a 4/5.
Here is a short summary about the book: this book contains many stories of people going through a disastrous time whether it's with bad people or with natural issues, each story is like 40 minutes in length and keeps the reader engaged.
What I like about this book: This book is very action pact, which is something look for in texts that I read the stories are well written and easy to understand, making it greatly formatted. I also have read the previous book called “300 minutes of danger” and I would say the same thing about that book.
What I would change about this book: if I could change anything about this book I would make this book longer as there isn't any more to the series I wish there were more stories as I am super hooked on it, but sometimes we can't get everything we wish for we can only hope.
In conclusion, I would give this book a read if you like action, survival and mysterious endings types of books and even if you don't give it a read you never know you might like it and you might not.
Here is a short summary about the book: this book contains many stories of people going through a disastrous time whether it's with bad people or with natural issues, each story is like 40 minutes in length and keeps the reader engaged.
What I like about this book: This book is very action pact, which is something look for in texts that I read the stories are well written and easy to understand, making it greatly formatted. I also have read the previous book called “300 minutes of danger” and I would say the same thing about that book.
What I would change about this book: if I could change anything about this book I would make this book longer as there isn't any more to the series I wish there were more stories as I am super hooked on it, but sometimes we can't get everything we wish for we can only hope.
In conclusion, I would give this book a read if you like action, survival and mysterious endings types of books and even if you don't give it a read you never know you might like it and you might not.
September 2, 2017
This book was really interesting. I liked how all the kids got in really dangerous situations and they had to find a way to get out. I also found it interesting how all the kids were some how connected to one villain. It's a must read for anyone who enjoys action and adrenaline kind of books. Very well done Jack Heath.
March 24, 2021
this book was so good! there was still continuity, but this time with the characters, not necessarily the story like in '300 minutes'. the last chapter brought everything together so well. can't wait to read the other books!
August 27, 2017
Moving at warp speed, the action of each chapter escalates to death-defying moments. The language is crisp and powerful.
February 21, 2018
It was really cool and intriging.
April 2, 2018
I felt the writing left something to be desired but I liked how elements of the stories connected and related.
July 24, 2019
It was good but some stories should have a negative ending
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2019
Had to read this in preparation for school next year. It was so action packed, I really enjoyed it!
May 3, 2020
I like how the chapters are connected and I was on the edge of my seat.
February 4, 2021
3.5 stars
January 10, 2018
It’s suspenseful but I love it, all the loops in and out it’s like a book about believing when all seems lost. Sometimes it’s a bit scary but still GREAT!
September 2, 2016
So everyone knows I love Jack Heath, and pretty much will read anything he writes. 400 Minutes of Danger is a series of short chapters with a countdown lining the sides of the pages, so you can flick back and forth from the main body of writing to look at the countdown as you read (and, if you're like me, freak out a little when there's only 5 minutes left and a lot to be resolved). Each chapter has a new protagonist with a completely unique and dangerous scenario to overcome. From buses skidding down windy mountain roads to deep-sea diving and dinosaurs, this book has it all. Jack Heath can take the seemingly mundane and everyday and still make it just as intense and action-packed as his sci-fi inspired plots. My favourite chapters happened to be those that occurred in familiar settings: Charith is on a field-trip and sees a strange man in the woods, and is forced to steer a bus down a cliff to save his classmates from falling into a ravine; Dan works at the local bookshop and has to take the trash down to the compactor in the shopping centre's underground labyrinth, where he almost gets squashed several times over. I think one of the major strengths of this book is that by the final chapter, there are threads that weave all the individual storylines together. The events of each chapter can be read as isolated events easily, but the intricacy of the writing allows the discerning reader to draw bits and pieces from each to create a more cohesive narrative. This book is a lot like 300 Minutes of Danger, but the chapters are slightly longer and there's a little more 'meat' to them. It is definitely written in a way that encourages stubborn kids (especially boys) to start reading, including those that may not be used to or comfortable with sustained reading. Loved it, and will use it (hopefully) when I start teaching!
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January 9, 2017Short stories. Thriller/suspense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2022
Dad and I read this together. It was great and exciting.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews