Night of the Purple Moon by Scott Cramermiddle school & up
A comet passed through Earth's atmosphere which causes the moon to look purple. The morning after the comet Abby awakens to find out that her father is dead. And so are most of the other adults on their island. She and her brother only find one living adult, an elderly neighbor who dies very soon. Abby and some kids join together to survive and they find out that a few doctors with the CDC have survived. They are trying to find a cure for the health dangers posed by the comet as the kids reach adolescence.
I'm starting to notice a lot of disaster books where kids are the only ones left alive. Interesting trend. Very similar to the superheroes have to start out as orphans rule. I made the decision to read this book based on two things: 1) I like the moon and 2) I like the color purple. Real thought provoking, I know. Such a complicated decision making process. Naturally, the characters we spend the most time with are pretty responsible and all work together for the benefit of the group. Another group is not so terrific.
I'm not going to give away anything but the ending of this book is different from other disaster books I've read. And that's all I'm going to say about the subject.
I think this book would go really well in a Civics or American History class. Students could use a disaster like the one in the book as a springboard to discuss how to rebuild society. There would definitely need to be changes made in government if people didn't live past the age of 18. (That's not a spoiler by the way.) It could provide some interest in studying several different types of governments.
Verdict: recommended
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