I heard Simon review this book on Chris Evans show ages ago, but when I wanted an 'easy read' for last thing at night I remembered about Itch. The book was well written and easily read although a knowledge of the periodic table would be helpful. Itchingham “Itch” Lofte, age 14, has a hobby with unfortunate side effects—not just for himself, but for chums and schoolmates alike. Redeemed Reader is the site I recommend most often to other parents or educators for great book reviews and articles. One group, led by Itch and Lucy decide to track down the water source responsible for the increasing poison in the bay.

Mayo balances the high-stakes plot and serious reality of radiation poisoning with an underlying absurdity, particularly the over-the-top nastiness of Flowerdew and his compatriots. Everyone's worst fear has happened- Flowerdew has stolen the rock and left Itch and his friends stranded in a city they are unfamiliar with. Shivvi is a very frightening character and Itch must use his knowledge of chemistry and the elements to get away from her, with Jack serving as his sidekick and moral compass.He is also an element hunter: he is collecting all the elements in the periodic table, which leads him to conduct sometimes destructive experiments in his bedroom. Itchingham Lofte, teenage element hunter and unlikely hero, has had enough excitement to last him a lifetime. He has worked on BBC radio since 1981 and is now the presenter of 'Drivetime' on BBC Radio 2, which features the regular 'Book Club' show.

When Itch and Jack are forced to retrieve Element 126, will they be able to survive to fight off the bad guys and find a way to destroy Element 126 for good? At first no one believes him, but soon various people – all connected to the powerful GreenCorp – are chasing after the strange new rock. Together, this trio find themselves tangled in a shadowy web of mystery and action punctuated with brief forays into chemistry. But, Greencorps still wants Element 126 and the evil former science teacher, Flowerdew is back, along with the woman he let take the blame for a Nigerian disaster, Shivvi Tan Fook. For everyone in contact with the mysterious element 126, it’s a slow, painful death from radiation poisoning.Meanwhile Tim tries to track down an escaped Roshanna and see if she's willing to help them crack Lannister's laptop information. Mysterious guys in black pursue Itch trying to get ahold of the rock, so Itch is forced to rely on help from Tim. But when a school trip to Spain ends in exploding currency and rioting locals, he knows that he has to continue to look for answers. Shy, cool-headed Amber has just been chosen to be a spy by a mysterious agency - and before long she's sent to foil an evil cybercrime plot!