Description

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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.

About the Author

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Newbery Honor author Rodman Philbrick has written more than a dozen novels for young readers. In 1993, he published his first children's book, Freak the Mighty, which became an instant classic, and was made into a feature film. The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg was a 2010 Newbery Honor Book. Philbrick's other acclaimed novels include Max the Mighty, The Young Man and the Sea, The Last Book in the Universe, Zane and the Hurricane, and Wildfire. Philbrick divides his time between Maine and the Florida Keys. You can learn more about him on his website: rodmanphilbrick.com.

Praise For…

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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