Book Reviews and More: Public Enemies - Gordon Korman

Public Enemies

On The Run Book 5

Scholastic Canada

ISBN 9780439651400

eISBN 9780545632072

ASIN B00CFT6LMA

Public Enemies - Gordon Korman - On The Run Book 5

This story is penultimate instalment in this series but as I discovered previously there is a second series with the same characters, the Kidnapped series has another three volumes, so you could see this as the fifth of 9 stories featuring the Falconer's.

A few years ago in the summer of 2022, Korman published his 100th book. Yes you read that correctly, his hundredth book. I have now read over 85 of his books. My son often reads these books to me or with me. And now my youngest daughter has started reading them. I have now read all the stand alone stories and at least 2 in every series. I am down to 20 books to complete his whole canon. As of the summer of 2025 he has 109 volumes in print not counting omnibus editions. There are so many great read in the Korman’s collected works.

The description of this volume is:

“The Falconer siblings come one step closer to freeing their parents from jail in this fifth installment of the thrilling Gordon Korman series.

Aiden and Meg Falconer have been crossing the country as fugitives in order to prove their parents didn't commit a crime. They've been chased from state to state by the FBI . . . and by a killer they know only as Hairless Joe. Now Hairless Joe is getting closer than ever -- and the Falconers are getting even closer than that to the truth.”

Another is:

“WANTED...

Aiden and Meg Falconer have been crossing the country as fugitives in order to prove their parents didn't commit a crime. In a world where criminals are celebrities and news coverage is 24-7, the Falconers are finding it very hard to hide from their unwanted fame. They've been chased from state to state by the FBI... and by a killer they know only as Hairless Joe.

Now Hairless Joe is getting closer than ever - and the Falconers are getting even closer to the truth.”

About thr author in this volume we are informed:

“GORDON KORMAN is the author of The Hypnotists, and six books featuring Griffin Bing and his friends: Swindle, Zoobreak, Framed, Showoff, Hideout, and Jackpot. His other books include This Can’t Be Happening at Macdonald Hall (published when he was fourteen); The Toilet Paper Tigers; Radio Fifth Grade; the trilogies Island, Everest, Dive, Kidnapped, and Titanic; and the series On the Run. He lives in New York with his family and can be found on the web.”

Unlike many of Korman’s books the chapters do not have titles, in any of the first five books in the series. The premise of the series, at least from the four volumes reminds me of Conspiracy 365 January by Gabrielle Lord, also from Scholastic but published 5 years after this series. At the end of the volume is no preview of the next instalment, but all 6 volumes published in just over a year. This volume released in 2004 and the most recent edition was the eBook edition in 2013.

The intensity in this series just keeps being cranked up. Meg and Aiden escaped custody again. And they might have made their first mistake. In this one they are trying to track down their final clue to get info to clear their parent’s names. But the risk is higher. They are heading into the enemies home territory. But because of a rash call from Meg they just might have some support in their corner for what feels like the first time. Can they stay ahead of the local police, the FBI, and the bald guy who has been trying to climate them for a while now. An epic chase with a muscle car and a Harley cause an adrenalin rush. But to find out the details you will need to read this excellent instalment in the story of the Falconers.

This story had some serious risk, and a few close calls, an epic chase and help coordinated by a talk show host across the country. This is another great offering in a wonderful series! This story and series is darker than many of Korman’s offerings. The pace is break neck. The characters are very well written. You will find yourself cheering for Aiden and Meg again and again. It is a story young readers will latch onto and be desperate to know what happens next! Another great volume from Korman’s masterful pen!

Books by Gordon Korman:

MacDonald Hall Series:

This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall (1978)

Go Jump in the Pool (1979)

Beware the Fish! (1980)

The Wizzle War (1982)

(formerly The War With Mr. Wizzle)

The Zucchini Warriors (1988)

Light’s Camera, Disaster (1991)

(aka Macdonald Hall Goes Hollywood)

The Jokes on Us (1995)

(formerly Something Fishy at Macdonald Hall)