Gone (Gone, #1)

by Michael Grant

[Joni Reads]

I was skeptical about this series but I was out of books to read and I have seen them around and had a vague idea of what they are about so I decided to go for it and check the first two out of the library. I am glad that I did. The first book in the series starts with the main character, Sam, daydreaming in class when suddenly, right before his eyes, his teacher disappears. Poof. Gone. Then they realize a classmate is gone as well. Soon students in other classrooms are milling around the hall of the school is tales simliar to Sam's. Teachers, there one minute, gone the next. In fact, anyone over the age of 14, there one second, gone the next. Poof.
There's panic and tears as the characters go house to house and place to place in search of a parent, grandparent or older sibling but it's to no avail, they are all gone. Soon it's decided Sam is in charge and the kids start to form routines and habits to try to go on with life. One guy maintains the local McDonalds, a gir and her brother take over the local daycare duties. Everything is as ok as it can be until out of the blue the students from the private school a few miles away from town arrive. It's clear they have an agenda and it can't be a good one.
The idea of a world ran by kids is obviously frightening. I mean, what did I know about life on my own when I was 14? I couldn't cook, drive, nothing. And yet here are these kids shoved into this world wthout adults and they just have to adapt. Not to mention some of the kids are developing powers such as being able to shoot fire from their hands or being able to run faster than a speeding bullet. The whole ordeal is terrifying. These are books written so well you actually truly get pulled into the story. Ever since I read this book and started the second one I have been dreaming about it, putting myself into the world the author created. I could see this series becoming a television series. One that I would DVR to make sure I didn't miss anything. I am so glad I took a chance on this series.