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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
3.5
I didn't love this one but I still found it compelling and would recommend it.
While the cover art is beautiful it doesn't correctly portray the tone of the book.
I didn't love this one but I still found it compelling and would recommend it.
While the cover art is beautiful it doesn't correctly portray the tone of the book.
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a scarily realistic story about the consequences if the Soviet Union dropped a bomb on America in the 60s. The two main boys were very similar to what normal fifth grade boys are like today. I don't know why it took me so long to get around to this book, it was great in every way. I wish it was more emotional but since it is coming from a fifth grade boy's POV, I understand if it's not quite a tearjerker.
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Set in 1962, this book is a quick read that portrays the tensions felt by many Americans during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Cold War in general. Nuclear war is all anyone talks about, it seems to 6th grader Scott, even his friends when playing around, and soon his dad decides to build a bomb shelter in their backyard. Scott's not sure how he feels about that, he's just interested in everyday kid stuff, but when the attack siren suddenly sounds in the middle of the night, Scott and his family scramble to get in the shelter and fight off their neighbors who are trying to come in with them. Scott's dad knows there are only enough supplies for a family of four. But Scott's best friend and his parents, and three other people make it in. His mother is injured in the scramble, and for the next tense several days they must endure living underground in the woefully understocked shelter. Tempers rise and supplies are short. Scott narrates the story, alternating with flashbacks leading up to their arrival in the shelter. A very interesting story for today's kids, who have no inkling of the constant drumbeat of Cold War threat that their parents/grandparents went through. Suspensefully written story, with cliffhanger chapter endings. There's also some mention of race relations, and overall the book depicts the 1960's from a child's perspective.
Despite there not being too much action/plot in this book, it kept me on the edge of my seat, and was very difficult to put down! I think switching between what happened before the bombing was a great idea, because it kept the book from being too redundant, although I enjoyed the chapters in the bunker a little more. Although the book is aimed at younger readers, it still wasn't boring, and had some heavy topics. This book kept my heart pounding all throughout, and had a great balance of conflict and success!
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated