61 pages • 2 hours read
Caroline B. CooneyCode Orange
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2005A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Code Orange by Caroline B. Cooney, Mitty Blake, a high school student in Manhattan, selects smallpox for his biology research project. While studying, he finds smallpox scabs in an old medical book and fears he may have infected himself. As he seeks answers online, terrorists kidnap him, but Mitty cleverly thwarts their plan to use him as a biological weapon, ultimately discovering he is not infected. The book includes themes of terrorism and infectious disease.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Code Orange by Caroline B. Cooney receives praise for its fast-paced, engaging plot and the genuine, relatable voice of its teenage protagonist. Critiques note that some plot elements feel implausible and certain characters lack depth. Overall, it's seen as an exciting thriller suitable for young adults, though not without its flaws.
Who Should Read Code Orange?
Fans of young adult thrillers with a scientific twist, such as those showcased in Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park or Laurie Halse Anderson's Fever 1793, will enjoy Code Orange by Caroline B. Cooney. This book appeals to readers who appreciate intense, scientifically-driven plots and strong teenage protagonists.
RecommendedReading Age
12-18yearsLexile Level
0850