The Big Dark

by Rodman Philbrick Narrated by Michael Crouch

Overview

In this page-turning adventure by Newbery Honor author Rodman Philbrick, a solar event knocks out our planet's electricity, and a boy must risk his life to save his sick mother.

What would you do if every spark of electricity suddenly vanished, as if somebody had flipped a switch on the entire planet? Cars won't start, the heat shuts off, there's no water in your faucet, and your radio, TV, and flashlight go dark. Everyone in Charlie's small town is baffled. But as time passes, lawlessness erupts and takes an ugly turn. When the market and pharmacy are torched by an anti-Semitic arsonist, Charlie realizes his mother will die without her medicine. So he dons skis and heads off alone, seeking the nearest hospital. After traveling 50 miles through brutal ice and snow, Charlie encounters a burned-out, looted city of terrified citizens. Will he be able to save his mom?Heroic, eloquent, and unforgettable, The Big Dark raises timely questions about responsibility, tolerance, and love.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for The Big Dark"A riveting, credible, and even inspiring vision of life just after the apocalypse." —Kirkus Reviews "A fast pace, pulse-pounding premise, and approachable first-person narration." —Booklist"Philbrick (Zane and the Hurricane) weaves an absorbing tale about the breakdown of contemporary civilization, the return to chaotic vigilante justice, and the strength of kindness and community." — Publishers WeeklyPraise for Zane and the Hurricane2015-2016 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List*"Vivid descriptions of the toxic waters, the commotion at the Superdome, and racial tension are handled factually yet sensitively." —School Library Journal, starred review*"An appropriately serious and occasionally gruesome tale of surviving Hurricane Katrina, buoyed by large doses of hope and humor."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review*"Zane's first-person account is tense and authentically youthful as the group paddles through the flooded streets of New Orleans seeking refuge." —Publishers Weekly, starred reviewPraise for The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg A Newbery Honor Book*"The horror of war and injustice of slavery ring clearly above the din of playful exaggerations." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

MARCH 2016 - AudioFile

Narrator Michael Crouch captures the excitement that quickly turns to fear on the night that the sky flares with magnificent lights before the power goes out all over town. Crouch projects the intense feelings that color Charlie Cobb’s first-person account as his New Hampshire community suffers mounting problems. A blizzard, a fire, vigilantes, and the threat of his diabetic mother’s death drive Charlie to ski all by himself to a town 50 miles away, where he faces wild animals, intimidation by terrified humans, and the pressure of time slipping away. Crouch’s narration reflects the fast pace of the story, and he deepens this survival story with convincing character portrayals. Charlie’s worried sister’s voice trembles with fear, the town’s ruthless extremist growls with menace, and touches of New Hampshire and Franco-American accents add dimension. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2015-09-16
When a solar flare knocks out all technology, residents of an isolated New Hampshire town must figure out how to survive. Unless neighbors share their precious resources, many will not make it through the brutal winter. Unfortunately a violent faction of racists has other plans. Determined to take control of the town, they burn down the local supermarket, robbing the residents of food and medication. Charlie Cobb's mother, a Type 2 diabetic, will not survive without her medication. To save her, Charlie must risk exposure, wild animals, and desperate people to ski the 50 miles to the closest hospital. The science behind the apocalyptic event is suspiciously vague, but the realistic portrayal of the human capacity for both good and evil is well-written: some resort to hoarding and violence in the face of the global catastrophe, but others choose an enlightened path and elect to care for one another. A slow beginning pays off during Charlie's desperate journey, and the depiction of a world gone suddenly dark is both terrifying and completely possible. Philbrick's overarching message is clear. While ruthless villains might be living next door, so might a school janitor-turned-selfless leader and a boy-turned-hero. Readers who get past the sketchy science will find a riveting, credible, and even inspiring vision of life just after the apocalypse. (Science fiction. 8-12)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170507993
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	01/05/2016
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

Videos