Stranger by Brown and Smith - ESSENTIAL

Brown, Rachel Manija and Sherwood Smith Stranger, 416 p. Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (volume, but surprisingly low on gore).

Las Anclas has built a town, fortified enough to have driven off all invaders, including the dictator Voske, who wants to rule the whole southwest of the old United States.  Since the cataclysm, not only has life become precious and oh so difficult, but some people have been Changed, given powers and abilities that make them different from regular humans. Change can come at any time to anyone, but that doesn’t stop some in Las Anclas from harboring prejudices against the Changed – even if they are happy to exploit their abilities in protecting the town.  One day a badly injured young man come to town – a stranger whose presence means that another change is about to happen – one that involves the future of the entire town. 

Meet Ross, Mia, Jennie, Indra and the rest of the cast of this town clinging to normality in the midst of horrible circumstances.  I would love to know how Smith became involved with Brown in the writing of this book.  If you have read her Crown Duel and Court Duel, you will see echoes of that early heroine in the characters you meet here. 

MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher