[LM_NET] REVIEW: Secondary: The Compound

[Pamela Thompson <pthomp@SISD.NET>]

The Compound
by S.A. Bodeen
 Feiweland Friends (Macmillan), 2008.
248 pages.

This first novel was surprising. Surprisingly great! The Compound strikes close to 
home in this era of the Internet and streaming video where news stories hit the net 
within seconds. Because we are so aware of government coups, upheavals, gorilla 
warfare, and nukes, we are afraid of something happening as it does in this novel.

Eli and his family are forced into a safe compound underground built by his 
eccentric billionaire father. Eli's twin and grandmother don't make it before the 
iron door shuts. They are lost to the family. The world as Eli knew it has been 
destroyed by nukes and radiation. They are only safe stuck in the compound for the 
next fifteen years. The vault cannot be opened until fifteen years pass and the 
world is "safe" from nuclear fall-out. His father has planned this safe haven for 
years and stockpiled supplies, even medicine and a medical wing. They are prepared 
for anything. Except the livestock start dying, flour is running short, and they 
are facing a real food crisis. His father has planned for that. Every year a new 
Supplement joins the family. These are the offspring of Eli's mother and 
father--yes, children--, but they are not considered part of the family. They are 
raised in case the food runs out.

Eli and his sister find shocking news. They discover that their father has been in 
touch with the outside world through the Internet. They wonder, if there is 
Internet, people are still alive! And if there is Internet, most of the world must 
be normal! Eli confronts his father about the lies, and the novel continues to 
shock. Readers who like thrillers will love this one. Recommended for all YA 
collections, grades 7 and up.

Just posted to my blog at http://booksbypamelathompson.blogspot.com/


Pamela Thompson, MLIS
Library Media Specialist
Col. John O. Ensor Middle School
13600 Ryderwood
El Paso, TX
915-937-6018
pthomp@sisd.net<mailto:pthomp@sisd.net>

visit my YA novel blog at http://booksbypamelathompson.blogspot.com/


"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog is too dark to 
read." --Groucho Marx

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