Fledgling Jason Steed, otherwise known as Fledgling A Jason Steed Adventure, is the first novel in the Jason Steed series written by British author Mark A. Cooper. The book, about an 11-year-old martial arts expert and spy, is notable for being a world-wide "word of mouth" internet hit, despite being self-published. In March 2009, it was voted as the Top Young Adult Book for 2009 by Fictionreviewer.com. The book "narrowly beat" the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer to win the award. The book Fledgling A Jason Steed Adventure (ISBN-13: 9780741449344) was published in September 2008. The book has been compared to the Alex Rider, Young Bond and CHERUB series, which all feature child spies, as well as the Harry Potter books and young Jason Bourne. Raymond Victor Steed was a galley boy on a Merchant Navy ship when it was blown up and sunk after hitting a German mine off the African coast in 1943. Raymond, from Newport, was 14 years and 207 days old when he died - just five months after joining up. Raymond and his 20 crew mates died on 26 April 1943, after their ship, Empire Morn, exploded after hitting a U-Boat mine near Casablanca, Morocco. Raymond has been officially recognised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as the youngest recorded fatality of the British service war dead. Fledgling A Jason Steed Adventure has received several favourable reviews from notable publications. "You will laugh, cry and get hooked on this exciting coming of age adventure," wrote the Navy News. Soldier, a British Forces monthly magazine, called it "A page-turning fast read," the Yorkshire Evening Post said "Jason Steed is James Bond as a boy" and Fictionreviewer.com wrote: "A coming of age heart wrenching story packed with laughs and fast paced action. Most readers who love action and spy fiction will devour this dynamic book in a single sitting or two, otherwise they’ll be in extreme agony waiting to see what happens next." The possibility of Fledgling being made into a film is also discussed on the same website, and the idea was reported in the Cornish and Devon Post newspaper in November 2008 too. However, no confirmation of this proposal is yet available. where he attended Battersea Grammar School. He moved to Launceston, Cornwall, as a teenager, where he attended Torpoint High School. He went on to study at Plymouth University in Devon.
Fantastic book - best Young Adult fiction novel I've ever read.
Guest
2. 16-06-2009 12:48
I agree with previous comments it is a very good novel. One of the most original stories I have come across. I heard that they where going to make a film about it with Jaden Smith (Will Youngs son) and call it Kung Fu Kid or Karate Kid 2010. I don't know why they would change the name.
Guest
3. 16-06-2009 13:13
Fledgling Jason Steed is one of my fav books. I also like the Cherub series and Alex Rider.
Kung Fu Kid or Karate Kid 2010 is NOT based on the Fledgling Jason Steed story. It's similair to Karate kid original film, but instead of moving to CA his mom moves to China. Jackie Chan stars in the film as his mentor. Yes in Fledgling Jason Steed, Jason has mentor called 'Wong Tong' and it's set in Hong Kong, but it's not the same. Fledgling Jason Steed was released in 2008 by Infinity. Mark A Coopers novel is a very original story. It seems that parts of it have started to be copied. When they do eventually make a film on the story Fledgling, it will be as bigger than any Karate Kid movie.
Guest
4. 22-09-2009 19:35
The film will be a huge hit, not only do we have a real karate master; Jackie Chan, we have a great young actor; Jaden Smith who plays the young boy 'DRE' who moves from America to China with his mother played by Taraji P. Henson , plus Jackie Chan plays the very funny character 'Wong Tong' from the young adult novel 'Fledgling Jason Steed'
'Dre' is bullied and seeks help from Jackie Chan, the film may have the same theme, but its better made and acted. The director of 'Agent Cody Banks' 'Harald Zwart' steps in as director. Watch out for a box office hit and the best 'G' rated movie for the fall of 2010. The book 'Fledgling Jason Steed' is released at the same time by Sourcebooks Inc.
Expect to see a little romance between Mom (Taraji P. Henson) and Jackie Chan.
Guest
5. 08-09-2010 04:00
I feel guilty as I actually bought it for my son, but after turning a few pages got so into it, I read it first. A VERY original plot.
Guest
6. 01-10-2010 04:28
I just read this in hospital, a great book, I want more, does anyone know if they are making a film about Jason Steed or where I can buy the next book?
Guest
7. 17-11-2011 05:40
Loved it, and read it non stop for two days. I love the character Jason Steed and can't wait for book 2 Revenge Jason Steed to come out.
