Alone
By Megan E. Freeman
Verdict:
A compelling middle grade novel in free verse that harkens back to the popular survival stories of 80s children’s literature, and invites readers to think on how they would handle the premise of the book.
What is it about?
How much of being alone is enough, and how much is too much?
When a twelve-year-old girl pulls a prank to get away from her family for one overnight, she soon finds herself away from not only her family but all people. Her town is abandoned, totally emptied of its inhabitants. She and a dog must learn how to live in a town returning to nature. While she has the use of civilization's amenities, at first, those conveniences gradually go away, and she has to learn new coping skills. She does manage to learn to survive physically, but it is the emotional loneliness that is the hardest. She has to learn, too, about the essence of human nature.
Our take:
This compelling story is written in free verse, so it is a relatively quick read despite being about four hundred pages. A couple of scenes are violent, and some situations are very tense, but being in verse, the details are not lingering. Sensitive readers or parents and teachers of sensitive students should be aware. The story skillfully covers themes of family structures, gratitude, hope, despair, and resilience, and will be an easy choice for reluctant readers looking for a story of resourcefulness and survival.
Perfect fit for:
This is a middle grade book, so it covers topics pertinent to pre-teens and new teens. The premise of the story is particularly gripping in that it places readers directly into the main character’s shoes and asks them how they would handle various scenarios. The themes of the book are suited not only for discussions, but also for class projects, from fire-building, to growing edible food, to hygiene without tap water, to keeping one’s self entertained without anything electric or digital.
Conversation Starters
How much do you like to be alone? How much is too much?
How do you express gratitude for the people around you?
How would you take care of yourself in the main character's situation? (Talk about what resources for physical needs you have on hand or to which you have close access.)
How can you develop resilience for very hard times? What is emotional resilience?
What kind of skills would you like to develop so you can be resilient? (An opportunity to talk about practical, hands-on skills.)
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