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A review by thebookwormkatie
Alone by Megan E. Freeman
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Themes: Coming-of-age, survival, loneliness, divorce, independence, hope, family, friendship
This was my additional book club pick for Middle Grade March, and I chose it thanks to the wonderful interview Meg hosted on @megsreadingroom podcast.
A few of us had such a lovely discussion about it. For such a short novel, you can really dig deep with it. I can’t help but read middle grade novels through a teacher’s lens, and I really think this one would be a fantastic addition to any classroom. So many rich themes and aspects to be explored and discussed.
Twelve-year-old Maddie finds herself waking up one night completely alone and left behind when, overnight, everyone in her town evacuated. She has no one to rely on, no power, and no working phone lines or internet. She is forced to become resourceful in order to survive.
Alone is written in verse and it works SO well for the plot. I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if it was written in prose. I was worried I wouldn’t have enough perspectives to keep my attention, but the author does a wonderful job of keeping the reader invested in Maddie and what is happening to her.
Overall, I think this is a really wonderful middle grade novel. There were some aspects I wish would have been explored more, but I think that is more my adult self looking for answers
This was my additional book club pick for Middle Grade March, and I chose it thanks to the wonderful interview Meg hosted on @megsreadingroom podcast.
A few of us had such a lovely discussion about it. For such a short novel, you can really dig deep with it. I can’t help but read middle grade novels through a teacher’s lens, and I really think this one would be a fantastic addition to any classroom. So many rich themes and aspects to be explored and discussed.
Twelve-year-old Maddie finds herself waking up one night completely alone and left behind when, overnight, everyone in her town evacuated. She has no one to rely on, no power, and no working phone lines or internet. She is forced to become resourceful in order to survive.
Alone is written in verse and it works SO well for the plot. I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if it was written in prose. I was worried I wouldn’t have enough perspectives to keep my attention, but the author does a wonderful job of keeping the reader invested in Maddie and what is happening to her.
Overall, I think this is a really wonderful middle grade novel. There were some aspects I wish would have been explored more, but I think that is more my adult self looking for answers
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty