Ali Cross

A child-detective story where a boy’s big heart, impatience and video game mastery save the day – and perhaps his best friend’s life, too.

Author:

James Patterson

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SYNOPSIS

When Gabe doesn’t come to school, Ali knows his best friend is in trouble. On Christmas Eve, Gabe’s house is vandalized.

Ali can’t get help from his dad – a well-known detective – to search for Gabe because dad is on disciplinary leave.

Unhappy with the other detectives’ work, Ali begins his own investigations.

He discovers that Gabe’s dad has recently returned from prison, and that Gabe is logging into their favorite game somehow.

The two connect in the game and Ali tracks Gabe down to a storage unit on the outskirts of town.

Ali is briefly kidnapped by Gabe’s older brother who has been forcing Gabe to burglarize homes for their dad.

The boys are rescued by Ali’s dad while Gabe’s brother and father are sent to prison.

What were some clues that only Ali and his friends could have discovered (and not any of the detectives)?
What were some obvious mistakes the grown-up’s made in the investigation?
Why did Gabe return the Cross family’s valuables?
After keeping his promise to Gabe to keep their contact a secret and getting friends upset, Ali goes the other extreme and tells everyone. Why?