Review by Linsey McCollum
Movies: The giver (2014), V for Vendetta (2005) 8. Music: “citizens of tomorrow” Tokyo Police Club, “No More Heroes” Aviator
Classic Work: 1984 by George Orwell. Art: Poor Boy 2 Jacqueline Hoebers
7. Evaluation: This novel was a real page turner! There was action and suspense around every corner and each chapter left me wanting more. Despite the difficult start with the strange grammar and phrasing of the novel, after the first few chapters I was hooked. I think this would be a good read for grades
8, because there are some political undertones that a group of that age could really dig into. However, I can see this being a novel that everyone enjoys from 8th grade through adulthood. I give this book a 9/10.
- Title: Outwalkers by Fiona Shaw
- Genre: dystopian fiction
- Characters: The main characters include Jacob Riley, a newly orphaned boy, his dog Jet, and his gang of “Outwalkers.” The outwalkers include Cass, a very young and very ill girl, her older sister Swift- the fastest runner in the group, Davie- a very religious boy, Ollie- the chef of the group, Martha- the group’s healer, and Poacher who is the groups fearless leader. Later in the book, Aliyah, the daughter of a very important political figure joins the gang and becomes imperative to their survival.
- Plot: Set in the not so distant future in England with very strict government, Outwalkers features Jacob Riley, a recently orphaned boy who escapes from the academy orphanage where he was placed. However, he has to be careful because the government can track his every move using a chip that was implanted in his neck at birth. Because of this, Jacob has the think and move quickly if he wants to rescue his beloved dog, Jet, and escape to Scotland to live with his grandparents. After being reunited with Jet, Jacob soon finds himself in a mess of trouble being tracked by government officials. Just as he is ready to give up and surrender, Jacob finds himself being taken in by a gang of misfit kids who take out his chip and stop him from being tracked. Jacob quickly finds this gang of “outwalkers,” the phrase used for people trying to escape England, to be his family and they work together to try and flee the country. They find themselves digging in garbage cans and stealing from shops in order to eat. They travel to London, where the group is separated for days due to an unfortunate encounter, ending with the accidental death a department store guard. Once the gang back together, they are forced to navigate the underground tunnels of London. After a horrible run in with the underground gangs, and the tragic loss of their friend Martha, the Gang finds themselves fleeing north to Gateshead with the government following right on their heels. After watching Jet attacked by another dog, Jake is forced to leave him behind to be cared for by someone else while he makes his escape. With the help of many adult outwalkers, the gang is able to escape to Scotland and uncover a giant government conspiracy in England.
- Touchy Areas: There is a great deal of violence detailed in this novel, as well as the death of multiple characters. There are mild political references and a few curse words.
Movies: The giver (2014), V for Vendetta (2005) 8. Music: “citizens of tomorrow” Tokyo Police Club, “No More Heroes” Aviator
Classic Work: 1984 by George Orwell. Art: Poor Boy 2 Jacqueline Hoebers
7. Evaluation: This novel was a real page turner! There was action and suspense around every corner and each chapter left me wanting more. Despite the difficult start with the strange grammar and phrasing of the novel, after the first few chapters I was hooked. I think this would be a good read for grades
8, because there are some political undertones that a group of that age could really dig into. However, I can see this being a novel that everyone enjoys from 8th grade through adulthood. I give this book a 9/10.
