Book Review: Gone by Michael Grant

Imagine a world without adults, no one over fifteen allowed. But also gone are phones, T.V., and internet. Internet! Michael Grant's series, Gone, is one imagining of a world like this. The kids of Perdido Beach, California were all in school the day of the happening. A split second and everyone over the age of fifteen just disappeared, "poofed." No teachers, no parents, no police, no fire department. All gone. The kids called this new world the FAYZ, that's Fallout Alley Youth Zone, pronounced the phase. Then hunger threatened, bullies ruled, a sinister creature lurked, animals mutated, and the kids changed, developed new talents-unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers-that grew stronger by the day. It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: on your fifteenth birthday, you disappear just like everyone else did.

I was interested in this novel because I came across it in the library and read the covers and found it intriguing. A world without adults? I assumed that this would be a really good read into how the world turned out to be a blast in the end for the kids. But I was wrong, the world without adults is a really hard place to be in. Bullies take over everything, basic survival is a challenge. The kids have to fight for their own food, for their own right to live. As I read on I realized that this is not what I imagined the world to be like. Michael Grant's writing style is really interesting though and made me keep reading until I came to the fun part. Powers. The mutations. The kids were developing unbelievable abilities. This was what really kept me going till the end. The day of your birthday is always the best in our world, but in the FAYZ it's just one year closer to fifteen, the end!

~Rasesh K. (Book Ninja approved)

P.S. I also want to share a review by VOYA magazine: "If Stephen King had written Lord of the Flies, it might have been a little like this."

Exploring Historical Fiction

On an island called Guernsey off the coast of the British Isles, a budding author makes contact with a strange group of people: members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.  She writes them a letter and discovers through their correspondence that they are just as unique as their name.  She then unearths an amazing story about the islanders' survival through Nazi occupation and the role of the small island in one of history's most gruesome wars.

Set during and after World War II, the book is written entirely by letters and diary entries.  This allows the reader to feel a strong connection with each of the characters and get insights into their emotions throughout the book.  The author does an excellent job of incorporating history into the gripping tale of survival while still maintaining an easy-to-read style.

Why read this book?

Historical fiction is a genre that usually gets overlooked by the average teenager.  It's seen as boring, dull, or "the stuff we read in english class."  However, the world of history holds so many uncharted mysteries that are just waiting to be discovered.  What better way to travel than through reading a book?  How was it to stand on a field overlooking the Battle of Gettysburg?  What was Cleopatra thinking in her very last moments alive?  Did Napoleon regret his decision to invade Russia?  We can instantly step onto a pirate ship or walk around in Shakespeare's boots for the day without ever leaving the comfort of our homes.  All of this history and more is at our fingertips, just waiting to be dug up and explored.

~Sgt. Pepper

How a dog thinks

Find out what this dog is thinking.  Cracker! : the best dog in Vietnam  by Cynthia Kadohata takes place during the Vietnam War.  It is told from a dog's point of view as well as from his owners. During this time numerous dogs were put into service and this is the story about one of the many special dogs.  Seventeen year old Rick Hanski is ready to “ lick the world” and plans to do it with his assigned partner, Cracker. They must trust each as if their lives depend upon it.  The story is based on true facts and Kadohata did her research well.  Here is a positive story that reveals much about our country, the young men, and the time in which it took place.