The charm also automatically gives the surviving children a scar around the ankle when any of their number is killed. Upon arrival on Earth, the group separates because of a charm that requires the pursuing Mogadorians to hunt them down in numerical order, provided none of them are together, which breaks the charm. John is one of the nine Garde children who escaped Lorien with their Cêpans when their planet was invaded and destroyed by the evil Mogadorians. Lore narrates the story from the first-person point of view of 15-year-old John Smith, the eponymous Number Four. His whereabouts are unknown.' Unfortunately for this mysterious and reclusive author, a quick Google search reveals Pittacus Lore to be a writing duo: James Frey, (in)famous for his 'memoir'Ī Million Little Pieces and debut author Jobie Hughes.Įven if the co-authors had been concealed, only the most gullible would believe that 'Pittacus Lore' is a real person, since the Lorien of which he was ruling Elder was a peaceful planet populated by two kinds of people: the Garde, who develop superhero-like abilities, and the Cêpans, who act as guardians, educators and trainers. He has been on Earth for the last 12 years, preparing for the war that will decide Earth's fate. The author, Pittacus Lore, is 'Lorien's ruling Elder.

The obvious question is whether the book lives up to the hype. A Google search of the title displays websites that are almost entirely about the film. It was optioned by Steven Spielberg for Dreamworks, and the movie is already in production, due to be released in 2011. I am Number Four has spent five weeks on The New York Times bestseller list in the children's books category.

I am number four book order