Neptune's Children

After a biological plague that kills off all older teens and adults, the surviving children in the amusement park Isle's of Wonder must learn to survive alone. They have many resources within the park as well as people with the knowledge and abilities to maintain their new world and keep order. But when the desire for control poisons the heart of their society and unexpected horrors occurs, the few children who know the truth behind these events must try to convince others and survive the madness that the desire to live can cause. Neptune's Children is an amazing work that will have readers unable to stop until they reach the end.

Bonnie Dobkin's NEPTUNE'S CHILDREN tells of a dream vacation at a theme park which becomes a nightmare when biological terrorism causes the death of every adult on the islands. Young teens and kids survive but find themselves in a new theme park world run without authority, making for some difficult and frightening choices in this fine mystery recommended for advanced teen readers.

Biological terrorists release a virus that kills everyone over the age of 14. This story focuses on the children who are at Isles of Wonder, a Disney-like theme park. In many ways, these kids may be better off than those outside the park. The park is completely automated and self-contained, with recycling of water and creation of their own electricity. They are gated off from the outside world, and they have several children who are the offspring of employees at the park. They have some specialized knowledge of the park systems, just by listening to their parents talk about their work. Some children step up to become leaders and organize all the things that need to be done. A world without adults, it could be paradise for kids....or could it? This was an engrossing and interesting book. It's very much like Animal Farm in that it examines the governing system that the kids work out and how it comes about. It looks at the personal relationships between the kids and looks at how people decide how to do the "right" thing. It was a really good and well written book, but the idea of watching your parents die right in front of you, might be disturbing for younger readers. It's not graphically mentioned but as time goes by, some of the older girls do become pregnant. It is fascinating how many of the kids form their own unrelated "families" with older children playing the role of parents. If you think you/your children can handle the more graphic scenes, you should read this book; it really gives you a lot to think about. I plan on using this book as a literacy circle book next year. It gives me an opportunity to talk about the different systems of government, and character motivation. The essay questions practically write themselves and I'm sure it'll keep the kids wanting to read more!

I really liked this book. When I received it I was pleased to find that it expressed a vivid and rich storyline. The book effectively creates a new world that pulls readers in, it easily manages to attain the "you'll never want to put it down" label. The storyline speaks to the age level it targets, and contains a strong moral of the responsibility that comes with power. The subject incorporates teamwork, family, sensitivity, and cunning. This work of literature is rich and truly original. I have great reason to believe it will make a large impact on the young-adult genre. I strongly recommend this wonderful story. -

Nothing is more perfect than a family trip to an amusement park. Josh and his family find themselves at Isles of Wonder. They are celebrating the remission of his younger sister Maddie's cancer. When asked how she wants to celebrate, she answers how most kids would respond: "I want to go to Isles of Wonder!" Off they go. Unbeknownst to Josh's family and the rest of the world, a plague has been created by an unknown group. The virus was released from thousands of locations simultaneously around the globe. Though the creators had inoculated themselves from the virus, the virus spontaneously mutates and annihilates all the adults in the world. The virus seems to have spared anyone under about the age of fourteen. As the adults around the world start dropping, the children at Isles of Wonder are alone and unprepared. The single voice of King Neptune bellows through the PA system in the park. "Everyone on the islands. If you can hear me, come to the palace." Slowly, all the children band together at the center of the amusement park. Milo, the voice behind King Neptune, appears, and starts creating a new society based on survival. Many of the children in the park had parents that worked for Isles of Wonder. All the knowledge that each has is shared and a community is formed with jobs and responsibilities. In time, some members of the community are unsatisfied. Lights have been spotted outside in the distance and it is time to venture beyond their safe haven. But Milo has other plans, and those with doubts are soon considered rebels and forced to hide. Eventually a confrontation must occur, with one side being victorious. Unexpected alliances develop and strategies are formed. Who will be supreme in the end? Ms. Dobkin's NEPTUNE'S CHILDREN brings to mind the classic ANIMAL FARM by George Orwell. A new society forms with all the best intentions of things being perfect. But, as we all know, there is no perfect society and humanity will take over. NEPTUNE'S CHILDREN is a fascinating look at how the best intentions soon turn bad, and those fighting for good must prevail. Reviewed by: Jaglvr