Carbone, Elisa. The pack.

Penguin Putnam, Viking. 176p. c2003. 0-670-03619-6. $15.99. J

When Akhil first shows up in her English classroom, Becky thinks he is the weirdest person she has ever encountered. The East Indian boy refuses to sit on a chair, and he's covered in scars. Every afternoon a driver takes him to the National Institutes of Health, where he is being studied--but he won't explain why. Eventually, plump, shy Becky and her half-white, half-African American friend Omar make friends with Akhil, and learn the shocking truth. Akhil was brought up by wolves (the scars are from playing with the cubs), and that is why he is being studied. Akhil has some highly developed senses as a result of his unusual upbringing, and an understanding of group behavior that helps Becky and Omar deal with the vicious class bully, Kyle, who is responsible for an accident that crippled Becky's brother. Gradually, they learn that Kyle is up to some new evil doings--inspired by hate groups, he plans to attack the school and kill off everyone on his hit list, including, of course, Becky, Omar, and Akhil. In an exciting climax, the three friends set out to foil Kyle's plans.

A spooky cover, showing three long dark shadows on a road at night, and the mystery surrounding Akhil will help attract readers to this effective if melodramatic story of school violence. Carbone, the author of the ALA Best Books for YAs Stealing Freedom and Storm Warriors, knows how to build suspense, and the story moves swiftly. An author's note at the end gives more information on children brought up by wolves, on wolves, and on school violence, and provides Web sites.