“The Field Trip” by Greg Elsasser

This spectacular novel is packed with action and suspense.  There is also a healthy dose of humor.  In the very first scene, Chasen Derrick is hired by Dysart Academy to teach English.  He can’t see why the school wants him so much, or why they’re offering him such an amazing salary, but he doesn’t question his good luck for long.  In the next scene, the reader discovers this job offer is not on the up and up.  Unfortunately, Chasen doesn’t know this.  So when he’s later offered the duty of chaperone for the field trip to England, he accepts.  The only drawback is Chasen’s least favorite student, Eddie Buenrostro, will also be going on the trip.  Four days into the trip, Chasen and the thirty students are at Shakespeare’s Globe when Chasen misplaces one of the kids.  One turns into twenty-nine while Chasen and Eddie search for the one missing kid.  Chaos reigns from this point forward.  Not only does Chasen have to locate the missing students, he also has the nearly impossible task of keeping himself and Eddie alive.  It seems the kidnappers have friends … with guns …

I simply couldn’t put this book down.  It’s been quite a while since I stayed up late reading, or put off housework for just a little longer … which usually turned into an hour!  But stopping would’ve been like pausing a movie right in the middle of the action.  Impossible!  There were as many twists and turns as an exhilarating roller coaster ride.  And the surprises would pop up like a Jack-in-the-Box.  I just never knew what was going to happen next.  I cared deeply for Chasen and — I admit it — Eddie (the annoying kid grows on you).  So I was very worried about them … and believe me, there was plenty to worry about!

As you might have guessed, I highly recommend this novel!