I Am Number Four

By Pittacus Lore
Reviewed by Tommy Milutin

Review: I Am Number 4 by Pittacus Lore

The Story

John Smith lives with his “father”, Henri. They have traveled all around the United States of America, and never stay in any place for very long. This is because John and Henri have a secret. They are both aliens from the planet Lorien, a planet from another solar system. John’s real name is Four, because he is the fourth of the Garde. An evil race called the Mogadorians, having destroyed their own planet because of greed and power, attacked Lorien hoping to make it their home. Although Lorians have incredible powers such as invisibility and
the power to control the elements, the force of the Mogadorians was too much. They killed everyone, but John and eight other Garde escaped to Earth. For the past 14 years, they have been hiding and running from the Mogadorians. John doesn’t mind moving from place to place, that is until he and Henri move to Paradise, Ohio. There, John makes a new friend and ally named Sam. John also falls in love with a human named Sarah Hart. Because of these important people and events he comes to know, he finally feels that he can defeat the Mogadorians. But the Mogadorians will not give up easily.  Only John and the other Garde can stop them, and it will not be without sacrifice. (218)

My Opinion

When I first began reading the story, I didn’t understand it as much as I wanted to. The beginning of the book was rather confusing, and I went back to read some of it to help myself understand it better. However, as I read further into the book, the events and story began to make sense to me, and I found myself not being able able to put the book down. The author used little figurative language, but he characterized the main characters thoughts and feelings in a way that I found relatable and enjoyable. He allowed the reader to understand John Smith’s confusion and anger towards the aliens that destroyed his planet and everyone that he loved. He used emotions that I think anybody can relate to, such as fear, anger, joy, and temptation. The only weak part of the story was the author’s use of swear words, and I would advise a book with content like that for a middle or high schooler.  I feel that the book was well written and allowed the reader to delve deeper into the meaning of the story. I would rate this book an eight out of ten, and I will definitely reread it. (202)

Study Questions and Vocabulary

First Section

1. How old was Four when he reaches Earth?

     1a. Four is five years old.(pg. 6)

     2. What does Henri’s accent sound like to people?

     2a. Henri’s accent sounds French to most people. (pg. 24)

     3. What is John Smith’s first legacy called?

     3a. John’s first legacy is called Lumen. He is resistant to fire.(pg. 50)

     4. What is the power of John’s father?

     4a. He can control and manipulate the weather.(pg. 113)

     5. What is the name of the beagle John adopts?

     5a. The name of the beagle is Bernie Kosar.(pg. 90)

    segues (pg 134)

    caricatures  (pg 134)

    seething  (pg 136)

    amok  (pg 139)

    ecstatic  (pg 146)

Middle Section

1. Why does Sam think that John is an alien?

     1a. Sam thinks that John is an alien because he saw John using his light powers and super strength when he fought the football team.(pg. 182)

\     2. Where does Henri drive to meet with the publishers of “They Walk Among Us”?

     2a. Henri drives to Athens, Ohio.(pg 201)

     3. How does Sam find out that John is an alien with superpowers?

     3a. John must use his telekinesis to save Sam from falling to his death.(pg 240)

     4. What is a chimera?

     4a. A chimera is an animal from Lorien that can change its shape.(pg 282)

     5. Why does Henri want to leave Paradise, Ohio?

     5a. Henri wants to leave Paradise, Ohio because he believes the Mogadorians are going to     find them.(pg 258)

impervious (pg 203)

inconvenience (pg 207)

stricken (pg 216)

imminute (pg 217)

mildew (pg 235)

(Last Section

1.What is the first legacy that John discovers Six possesses?

1a. John discovers that Six has the power to turn invisible.(pg 354)

2. What does the small dark rock that Henri uses on Six do?

2a. The rock heals injuries, but it doubles the pain of the wound.(pg 361)

3. Why is John and Six being near each other dangerous?

3a. It is bad and dangerous because the Loric charm that protects the Garde is broken. The Mogadorians can kill them at will.(pg 365)

4. What does Henri say is the most important thing in life?

4a. Henri states that above all else, hope is the most important thing in life. Hope is with you always, even in the darkest of times.(pg 382)

5. What does Henri tell John to do before he dies?

5a. Henri tells John that everything he needs to know to survive is in the Loric Chest.(pg 423)

rasping (pg 358)

ferociously (pg 362)

annihilation (pg 366)

anticipation (pg 411)

silhouettes (pg 376)