Teenreads.com -- GONE by Michael Grant

GONE
Michael Grant
HarperTeen
Science Fiction
Hardcover: 9780061448768
Paperback: 9780061448782
576 pages

Thirteen-year-old Sam Temple usually tries to fade into the background. He and his best friend Quinn love to surf the waves off the California coastal town where they live in Perdido Beach. And except for surfing, the only other thing Sam is known for is the day he saved the school bus filled with students when the driver suffered a heart attack. Otherwise, he pretty much keeps to himself and tries to avoid attention. But things are about to change, and fast. Everyone will have to step up and take responsibility, reach for their full potential, become leaders and learn to survive. Everyone, that is, under the age of 14!

While sitting in a boring history class, like any other day, Sam’s teacher suddenly vanishes right before their eyes. Confused and suspecting a joke of some kind, the students wander out into the hall looking for answers. But there are no answers to be found and not a trace of anyone aged 14 or older in the entire town! Chaos erupts immediately as some of the kids are psyched up, suddenly finding themselves with no one to tell them no. But fear also erupts. There’s no phone service, TV or 911. What happened to their parents and the other adults?

Sam and Quinn join up with a couple of other students --- the willing and ready Edilio and school genius Astrid --- and set out to find Astrid’s little brother, who has autism. While searching, they discover a strange, mysterious wall that seems to have encircled Perdido Beach, a 20-mile diameter circle all centered on the town’s nuclear power plant. Nothing they do can penetrate the wall; they are trapped. And that’s not all. Some of the remaining residents, including animals and children, seem to be changing, developing unusual talents. Coyotes can speak human, snakes grow wings, Lana can heal wounds with a touch, Jack develops incredible strength, Brianna can move at amazing speeds, and Sam can create a greenish-white light from his hands, a light with powerful possibilities. These new powers will help, because the kids of Perdido Beach will need every resource available --- the bullies of Coates Academy up on the hill have come down looking to rule their new world, and are willing to do anything to keep control and stay in power.

And during all this confusion, where youngsters must step up and become leaders, learn to survive in a world with all new rules and no answers, Sam can only guess what will happen when his 14th birthday arrives in just a few days. Will he disappear, too?

Michael Grant is no stranger to writing, having co-authored the well-known Animorphs series with his wife. Now this gifted writer brings us an awesome new book. Be prepared to be amazed; you haven’t read anything like this. Be prepared to keep reading until the end; you won’t be able to put it down. Be prepared to absolutely love this fast-paced, action-packed, mind-boggling story. A slight caution about the violence: it’s nothing one wouldn’t come across in a PG-rated movie, but some of the more sensitive or younger readers may find it a bit upsetting. However, counterbalancing the violence are characters seeking peace, stepping up and doing the right thing, and forming deep friendships filled with respect and love.

Overall, GONE is an incredible novel, and readers will be impatiently demanding more from the talented Michael Grant.

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author of FINDING MY LIGHT and THE BLACK POND

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