Nation

S
Nation

By: Terry Pratchett

304p

Double Day

ISBN-10: 0385613717
ISBN-13: 978-0385613712

Annotation:
After a giant wave sweeps his island village away, Mau my attempt to survival with the rituals that have been instilled in him.

Summary:
Pratchett tells the story of Mau a boy on the verge of manhood, who must travel an island alone and return to his home village in order to achieve the much desired rank of becoming a man. It is during this trial that a tidal wave crashes on his island and the surrounding ones causing death and destruction. Forcing Mau to abandon his trial and return to his home, which has also been ravaged. It is here that he must attempt to rebuild his home and routine all the while battling the voices of his ancestral Gods, and the miscommunications of the other survivors, including the young “proper” woman Daphne. As the “tribe” becomes larger and larger, Mau is forced to take more of the responsibilities of that of a leader.

Pratchett allows readers the ability to examine how life may be different if they were ever forced to survive with only their wits and minimal training. This is a much more difficult adventure than anything ever on survivor.
Mau and his tribe must adapt to not only the major changes such as survival but the every day ones as well, such as language difficulties, and birth issues, in a far more humorous manner than one would expect.

Readers of Pratchett's other works may be disappointed that this novel is not part of his Discworld series. Even though, this novel shares many similar aspects and may not be as much of a shock to his die hard fans.

Lucas

Lucas

By: Kevin Brooks

423p

Scholastic

ISBN-10: 1905294174
ISBN-13: 978-1905294176

Annotation:
On an isolated English island, fifteen year old Caitlin McCann makes the painful journey from adolescence to adulthood through her experiences with a mysterious boy, whose presence has an unsettling effect on the island's inhabitants.


Summary:
As Caitlin retells the events of the last summer, everything that happens especially the day she meets the young stranger Lucas. Lucas is young man, a drifter who has the uncanny ability to read people and predict their actions, and the ability to live off the land. Due to Lucas' unusual nature he is ostracized from the larger community, and only Cait knows his true demeanor. But when a young girl accuses Lucas of sexual harassment senseless mob decides that it is time for Lucas to leave.

The characters in Brook's novel well developed and poignant. They overcome the stereotype of common flat characters and become something more. Caitlin and Lucas are teens that have depth and will manage to keep the attention of even the most reluctant teen. These events in this novel are true to life as well as starkly terrifying.

Lucas will stay with you for years to come and will leave you pondering the events long after the final pages are read.