From the author of the acclaimed bestseller Holes, winner of the Newbery Award and the National Book Award, comes a New York Times bestselling adventure about the impact we have—both good and bad—on the world we live in.
Be careful. Your next step may be your last.
Fifth grader Tamaya Dhilwaddi and seventh grader Marshall Walsh have been walking to and from Woodridge Academy together since elementary school. But their routine is disrupted when bully Chad Hilligas challenges Marshall to a fight. To avoid the conflict, Marshall takes a shortcut home through the off-limits woods. Tamaya, unaware of the reason for the detour, reluctantly follows. They soon get lost. And then they find trouble. Bigger trouble than anyone could ever have imagined.
In the days and weeks that follow, the authorities and the U.S. Senate become involved, and what they uncover might affect the future of the world.
"Sachar blends elements of mystery, suspense, and school-day life into a taut environmental cautionary tale."--Publishers Weekly
I received an advance reader’s copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book not only explores a dangerous bacteria in the mud, it also quite nicely looks at personal values and strength. Tamaya is a shy but strong girl with steadfast morals. Marshall struggles with doing the right thing, especially if it attracts attention, because he is cruelly bullied by Chad, who has his own issues. All three of them get involved in a scary and life-changing adventure that takes place in the forest next to their school. Chapters alternate between them and an investigation into a new bacteria, each building to create suspense. I think the themes and adventure are well done, but it could have been delved into further. It felt as if the action ends as soon as it reaches the climax, and then the conclusion is drawn out. I did enjoy this book, though, and though it’s not Sachar’s strongest, it’s still good.
