| Booktalk
#1
The year is 2008 and people
are starving and dying. Three years before, a chain of volcanic eruptions
in Washington state sent volcanic ash into the atmosphere and it is still
falling back on the earth. In order to keep other pollutants out
of the atmosphere nuclear generators, oil refineries, and coal-burning
power plants are at minimum operating levels. The ash has gradually
reduced food production. There is no gas for cars. Crime is
way up as people get desperate. This is why the Newell family is
leaving Minneapolis on the Ali Princess. Their son Miles built the
Ali Princess by cannibalizing the family's bikes, boats and other sports
equipment. He has created a pedal and wind-driven family vehicle.
The Newell family is headed for their cabin in the country to find safety
until the crisis is over. They didn't anticipate that things would be just
as bad in rural areas as they are in the city. Maybe being charged
the special price of $100 at MacDonald’s for breakfast for four should
have been the first indication of trouble. It certainly wasn't
the last indication. (Mary Huebscher, Librarian, Holy Cross of San
Antonio, San Antonio, TX marwood45@hotmail.com)
Booktalk #2
Life will never be the same. The year is 2008. The Earth is
practically destroyed. Looking at the sky, at first glance, you may
think you see beautiful snow drifting and floating softly to the ground.
This is no white wonderland. Volcanic ash continuously falls around,
covering everything with an eerie, dull film. The eruption of Washington’s
Mount Rainier has made food shortages all over the world. It is now
survival of the fittest and crime has reached an all-time high. Sixteen-year-old
Miles knows he must save his family. They are doomed to die if they
stay at their home in Minneapolis. They must leave their beautiful
home and all their friends behind.
Miles and the Newell family build a human-powered vehicle from bicycle
and sailboat parts and head out to their cabin in the Minnesota wilderness.
Miles knows that this journey will be a challenge, one that will test their
strength and endurance. What the family does not know is that their
cabin is currently being occupied by two other families families
who are desperate for their own chance of survival.
Miles must rely on his ingenuity and his incredible memory to come up with
a plan a plan that will save all their lives before it’s too late.
(Stacy Holcombe Symborski, stacy_holcombe@yahoo.com,
Media Specialist - DR Hill Middle school) |
