As a middle school teacher, I’m always elated to discover a story that will hook reluctant readers. In her new series "Conspiracy 365," Australian crime writer Gabrielle Lord has crafted an incredibly readable novel and a fairly ingenious concept for a series.

Fifteen-year-old Cal Ormond must survive the next 365 days. In order to do so, he’s going to have to unravel the mysteries surrounding his father's untimely death and outsmart the thugs who are hunting him down. The story will unfold, one book at a time, each month throughout 2010. I read January, a fast-paced and engaging first installment that lays out a series of questions, but no answers. February and March installments have arrived on schedule, with new releases planned for the beginning of each month.

For my money, Lord has developed a sure-fire recipe for keeping young readers hooked, one cliffhanger after another, until the end of the year. If the author is able to maintain the momentum through the remaining books in the series, she's going to have a hit on her hands. Middle grade fans of television's 24 and the Jason Bourne trilogy will enjoy the twists and turns Lord has up her sleeve. Be prepared to suspend your disbelief for just long enough to enjoy this quick ride, because you'll be glad you did.

Erica Fry is a middle-school teacher in Brooklyn, NY. - Erica