Synopsis (from Goodreads): It's 2001 and zombies have taken over Tom's town. Meth zombies. The drug rips through Blackwater, PA, with a ferocity and a velocity that overwhelms everyone.
It starts small, with petty thefts of cleaning supplies and Sudafed from the supermarket where Tom works. But by year's end there will be ruined, hollow people on every street corner. Meth will unmake the lives of friends and teachers and parents. It will fill the prisons, and the morgues.
Tom's always been focused on getting out of his depressing coal mining town, on planning his escape to a college somewhere sunny and far away. But as bits of his childhood erode around him, he finds it's not so easy to let go. With the selfless heroism of the passengers on United Flight 93 that crashed nearby fresh in his mind and in his heart, Tom begins to see some reasons to stay, to see that even lost causes can be worth fighting for.
Edward Bloor has created a searing portrait of a place and a family and a boy who survive a harrowing plague year, and become stronger than before.
It starts small, with petty thefts of cleaning supplies and Sudafed from the supermarket where Tom works. But by year's end there will be ruined, hollow people on every street corner. Meth will unmake the lives of friends and teachers and parents. It will fill the prisons, and the morgues.
Tom's always been focused on getting out of his depressing coal mining town, on planning his escape to a college somewhere sunny and far away. But as bits of his childhood erode around him, he finds it's not so easy to let go. With the selfless heroism of the passengers on United Flight 93 that crashed nearby fresh in his mind and in his heart, Tom begins to see some reasons to stay, to see that even lost causes can be worth fighting for.
Edward Bloor has created a searing portrait of a place and a family and a boy who survive a harrowing plague year, and become stronger than before.
My Thoughts: Well, I thought I would be very interested in this book because of it's content. The area that I live in is very small as well and is also dealing with a huge Meth crisis. My husband is a deputy for the Sheriff's Dept. and sees it every day. I've seen the pictures and have even known some current meth users and some recovering meth users. However, I was not looking for a book that lectured you on the use of meth. Unfortunately, this one did just that.
Tom lives in a small town in PA. His journal begins on Sept. 10, 2001. Besides the earth-shattering event that happens the next day, Tom's town is dealing with another crisis. Meth. However, no one really notices or cares except for a drug counseling group.
Tom appears nearly perfect. He studies, obeys his parents (for the most part). His family feels safe or immune from drugs. I did like how the author showed how easy it is to get addicted to drugs and lose control despite the fact that you are a "good" kid. My husband says it takes using meth just one time and you're hooked and I think kids need to know how dangerous it is. However, I think that the lecturing may turn a lot of kids off the book and that is unfortunate.
All in all, not a horrible book but not the best. I would have been fine not finishing it but didn't have to force myself to keep reading either. Just one of those mid-line books.
*I received this book for review from Around the World ARC Tours*
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