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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
Man, I'm actually disappointed. I was really looking forward to this one, but it just wasn't at the same level as Alone. I think Freeman tried to do too much by having 4 different characters narrate this one with entirely different styles. I think it took away from the actual pacing of the book. I felt like this was almost a skeleton of a book-- an outline of what the author wanted to occur. The events all felt like a really rushed "and now this is happening!" The narrators were WAY too advanced to be middle schoolers, too.
I also felt like the brief mentions of Maddie were sort of thrown in there to be a wink at the reader. It definitely wasn't a major part of the story, which was an odd choice for me. Maddie presents so many questions in Alone about the "imminent threat" and the awareness her parents might have about her being left behind. I was really hoping to see that realization dawn on them in the text of Away. Instead, it was just a "Apparently Maddie has been missing for 3 years! Uh oh." I actually heard myself say "really?!" out loud. I was also let down by the inconsistency of Maddie not seeing even a hint of a single soul outside of looters one (1) time for THREE (3!) YEARS in Alone, even when she ventures out to a neighboring town, but apparently there's a whole slew of children left behind who have formed an underground network across multiple cities??
Finally, I really couldn't suspend disbelief for a lot of the plot. I could see people leaving in a panic if the National Guard is personally knocking on doors. I could even see them willingly giving up their cell phones without much complaint if it was framed as some nebulous national security threat. I found it hard to believe Grandin's dad was the only obstinate person who refused to leave, but at gun point? Okay, sure. I can roll with it. It's a children's book.
I just couldn't get past people being obedient and compliant for that long with only vague explanations and non-answers from officials. They framed this whole thing as a possible terrorist threat. They made up this whole story about a deadly toxin being dispersed in Colorado. And then when someone is like "okay but what are the feds doing????" the governor has the nerve to be like "HOW DARE YOU! WE CAN HANDLE THIS OURSELVES." Uh. It doesn't work like that! What the fuck! Where is the president?! Honestly, the most unbelievable thing is nobody knowing this is happening either. A few thousand people from a small area of Colorado will definitely have a few thousand relatives living in different parts of the US. You're telling me nobody is wondering why the hell their family member suddenly fell off the face of the earth? Nobody is wondering why that part of Colorado is unreachable? Nobody is demanding that the FBI step in to provide clarity? This bare minimum warrants a natural disaster response from DC.
I may have taken this a little too seriously haha
I also felt like the brief mentions of Maddie were sort of thrown in there to be a wink at the reader. It definitely wasn't a major part of the story, which was an odd choice for me. Maddie presents so many questions in Alone about the "imminent threat" and the awareness her parents might have about her being left behind. I was really hoping to see that realization dawn on them in the text of Away. Instead, it was just a "Apparently Maddie has been missing for 3 years! Uh oh." I actually heard myself say "really?!" out loud. I was also let down by the inconsistency of Maddie not seeing even a hint of a single soul outside of looters one (1) time for THREE (3!) YEARS in Alone, even when she ventures out to a neighboring town, but apparently there's a whole slew of children left behind who have formed an underground network across multiple cities??
Finally, I really couldn't suspend disbelief for a lot of the plot. I could see people leaving in a panic if the National Guard is personally knocking on doors. I could even see them willingly giving up their cell phones without much complaint if it was framed as some nebulous national security threat. I found it hard to believe Grandin's dad was the only obstinate person who refused to leave, but at gun point? Okay, sure. I can roll with it. It's a children's book.
I just couldn't get past people being obedient and compliant for that long with only vague explanations and non-answers from officials. They framed this whole thing as a possible terrorist threat. They made up this whole story about a deadly toxin being dispersed in Colorado. And then when someone is like "okay but what are the feds doing????" the governor has the nerve to be like "HOW DARE YOU! WE CAN HANDLE THIS OURSELVES." Uh. It doesn't work like that! What the fuck! Where is the president?! Honestly, the most unbelievable thing is nobody knowing this is happening either. A few thousand people from a small area of Colorado will definitely have a few thousand relatives living in different parts of the US. You're telling me nobody is wondering why the hell their family member suddenly fell off the face of the earth? Nobody is wondering why that part of Colorado is unreachable? Nobody is demanding that the FBI step in to provide clarity? This bare minimum warrants a natural disaster response from DC.
I may have taken this a little too seriously haha
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Absolutely stunning! I was wondering how anything could "follow-up" to Alone and this was actually the perfect book for it! I loved the different perspectives and the integrity and grit of the young characters. I mean, we also got to see their vulnerabilities and I think that's equally as important for young readers to see. The quote that will stay with me FOREVER is... "Anyone who says art can't change the world never studied history"
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Away by Megan E. Freeman is a new release book I was able to get at my library this week. The @middlegradegroupies read Alone, the first novel in this series back in 2023. I really felt like there was more to the story. So when I saw Away come out I was like Yeah we will finally hear the other side.
What I liked about this book:
❤️ It explained the sudden evacuation of the whole region of the Rocky Mountains that left Maddie alone for two years.
❤️Away focus on the camp where the evacuees had to leave in isolation and how the kids were coping.
❤️I liked how the kids worked together using their limited knowledge and technology to figure out what was really going on.
What I Didn’t like:
👎🏻 The adults in the book seem clueless. I cannot imagine just handing over my phone, iPad and computer and not having any access to technology for two years. How would I be able to access my bank? Would I be able to access my accounts to send emails for work? What about other contacts?
These would be legit questions the government would have to answer before I hand over my devices. I may turn them off while they fix a bug or virus but hand it over I would have to think about it.
👎🏻Also for two years adults are living in isolation in a camp. How are they living and supporting their families? Contacting people outside the camp? What kind of housing would you live in for two years isolated from the rest of the country with no answers and no real reason.
👎🏻I was sad that there was not more follow up with Maddie.
I think this book would have been more believable if the kids worked with adults to solve the conspiracy. I am giving this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars. I enjoyed the story but I am still left with so many questions.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A compelling companion novel to Alone with several perspectives. Could be read before Alone, but I'm glad I read it second.
Written in verse, script, letters, and diary entries. The multiple perspectives ensures that if you don't connect with one character you might connect with another. Features an important and timely message around government and resources. If Alone is about tenacity and survival coming from deep within, Away is about the search for truth and leaning in others.
Written in verse, script, letters, and diary entries. The multiple perspectives ensures that if you don't connect with one character you might connect with another. Features an important and timely message around government and resources. If Alone is about tenacity and survival coming from deep within, Away is about the search for truth and leaning in others.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No