Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden-ADVISABLE

Marsden, John, Tomorrow, When the War Began. Quercus Books, 2011. Pgs. 286. Language: PG-13, Violence: PG-13, Sexual Content: PG-13

Australian teenager, Ellie and six of her friends came home from their camping trip only to find the houses in their neighborhood abandoned, food rotting, pets dead, and the electric power turned off. When one of them finds a fax from their dad warning the seven friends to hide for safety, they decide to reconnoiter the fairground. When they get there, they see a big tent in which people are being herded into by armed soldiers. After a life-threatening skirmish with the soldiers, they discover that their country has been invaded and they are the only ones who can take it back. Ellie and her friends take to their isolated campsite in the bush country and begin their guerilla war to take back what’s theirs, but can seven teenagers stand up to an army of invaders?

An action-packed, intense story for reluctant and avid readers. The characters are courageous, semi-realistic, and profound. Fast-paced and provocative, readers will have a hard time putting this book down and will eagerly want the next book in the series. MS, HS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.