Books like Code Orange by Caroline B. Cooney

Mitty Blake thrives on the energy of New York City, and after 9/11 he still feels safe. A laid‑back student, he rarely worries about danger, grades, or school deadlines—except for one assignment: an Advanced Biology report. The weight of this task grows when he learns that failure could lead to being dropped from the advanced course where Olivia, a classmate, is already enrolled. While searching his family's weekend house for a compelling topic, Mitty discovers an old medical book containing an envelope with two scabs. The discovery turns his report from a simple science composition into a personal confrontation with a dangerous past that threatens his life. Set in the high‑school backdrop of New York, the story blends mystery with the realities of disease and the pressures of adolescence, offering tension as Mitty faces the consequences of what he learns.

First publish date: 2005