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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A survival story told in verse. Maddie plans a secret sleepover with her friends. She was going to have it at her grandparents' place since they would be out of town. Her friends were going to cover for each other, and she told her divorced parents that she would be at the other house. All was going according to plan until one friend got sick, and so the other friend lost her cover story. So, Maddie goes it on her own. When she awakens the next day, her whole town is abandoned. She does what she can to survive along with a dog she befriends. The story moves quickly and definitely gives one a lot to think about - what would I do in that situation.
A few sensitivity alerts with some language.
A few sensitivity alerts with some language.
This book is written in verse, which I really enjoy. A quick, page turner that kept ne engaged. It was not quite what I was looking for, as I was seeking a novel about natural disasters. There were a few, but these were not the focus. A pleasant read about a white suburban kid being alone when she was left behind during an emergency evacuation.
I know a lot of young readers love survival stories and this one has a different twist. I was disappointed though that the book kept referencing Island of the Blue Dolphins. Here's a review if you don't know about some of the problematic issues with that book due to the Indigenous representation. https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2016/06/a-critical-look-at-odells-island-of.html
Also, this book has a mass evacuation that happens in less than 24 hours. I cannot even comprehend something like that. I've lived in TX and a hurricane evac cannot even be done in such a short amount of time. Just not possible and there are folks who will not leave so the premise for this book simply doesn't work.
I did enjoy the main character's persistence and flexibility, but there were things that just didn't seem possible. I couldn't get past that.
Also, this book has a mass evacuation that happens in less than 24 hours. I cannot even comprehend something like that. I've lived in TX and a hurricane evac cannot even be done in such a short amount of time. Just not possible and there are folks who will not leave so the premise for this book simply doesn't work.
I did enjoy the main character's persistence and flexibility, but there were things that just didn't seem possible. I couldn't get past that.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Riveting story about a 12 year old girl that wakes up to find that everyone is gone from her neighborhood after it is evacuated for an imminent threat. This is a survival story at its finest. A complete page turner as Maddie faces one challenge after the next to stay alive and keep her sanity. One star off for an in satisfying abrupt ending
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-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
Whew!
This middle grade novel in verse is jam-packed full of survival, fortitude, grit, and hope.
Great companion book to the classic Hatchet.
I can imagine it being a good classroom convo and project book ... has good vocab, too.
This middle grade novel in verse is jam-packed full of survival, fortitude, grit, and hope.
Great companion book to the classic Hatchet.
I can imagine it being a good classroom convo and project book ... has good vocab, too.
