Fallout

This is a very interesting book, and as an adult I really enjoyed it and got what the author was trying to say. Don't know if young adults will get it though...but then maybe I'm underestimating them.

Genevieve is a struggling 9th grader living during the Cold War in the conservative town of Easton, North Carolina. Her town has been hit with a terrible hurricane season and the fallout from this. Still, at the same time her father wants to build a fallout shelter to protect the family from Communists in America. Most notable though is the fallout Genevieve is about to encounter when she becomes friends with Brenda Wompers, the new, radical, and out-spoken liberal that just moved to Easton from California. Gen has always gone along with the teachings and beliefs of her family, but she soon finds that there are totally opposing views in the world and who or what is right becomes quite muddled in her mind. Strangely, she finds herself in the middle of protests against nuclear power, the civil-defense program at school, and other controversial topics. She even goes so far as to attend a school board meeting to support the Wompers in their view that the United States Atomic Energy Commission is wrong and lying. This totally sends the community into a tail-spin. They just wanted the dangers of atomic energy to be discussed in school. Gen did not see how supporting the Wompers made her a traitor to her country. Unfortunately, the fallout from her friendship and protests against the conservative beliefs of her parents results in family problems, loss of friends, and even being called a Communist by others in her town. The story ends with the near death of the Wompers in a hurricane that helps Gen and Brenda see that everything in life is not so cut and dry. Brenda is now open to the possibility of faith and Gen is open-eyed to the knowledge that she must form and speak her own opinions as well as do what she believes is right, not what someone tells her is right. From here on out, she will research pertinent and political issues before forming an opinion. Fallout is a thought-provoking story that is action- packed from beginning to end. I think it would be especially appealing to young teens who are trying to form their own independent set of values and beliefs. Also, the colorful and intense characters help to make Fallout a captivating story. It is a book filled with historical and personal learning experiences which made it especially enjoyable to me. Finally, if you are looking for a book packed with struggles, controversy, and discovery then Fallout should be a must-read.