Artemis Fowl / Eoin Colfer / 396 pages / First Book in a Series/ Irist Challenge

Young (twelve year old) Artemis Fowl is a millionaire and a genius.  His father is missing and his mother sometimes loses connection with reality.  Artemis decided to kidnap a fairy and demand a ransom of fairy gold.  Although his plot is well-planned and flawlessly implemented with the help of Butler and Julia, Captian Holly Short of the LEPrecon unit and her cohorts are more than he anticipates.  This first book in the Artemis Fowl series is a  rousing adventure story studded with Mr. Colfer's subtle humor, wit, creativity, and unique approach to Irish culture and legend.