Sky on Fire

Gr 9 Up—This action-packed sequel to Monument 14 (Feiwel & Friends, 2012) is darker and more suspenseful than the original.. It begins with a note to "whoever finds this," which reacquaints readers with the characters and plot of the first book. They are then plunged back into the chaos of postapocalyptic Colorado, without a moment lost between the ending of the first book and the beginning of the second. Brothers Alex and Dean are back, alternating chapters with their clear, riveting narratives. Alex, 13, and half of the contingent of children and teens sheltered at a Greenway superstore, set off on a bus to find medical help for severely wounded Jake and a rescue party for those left behind. Dean, 16, remains with the rest, those whose blood type causes them to become psychotic in the post-disaster air. Both Dean and Alex are no longer the children who boarded the school bus on the fateful day the world changed. Their childish optimism has gone. They are both world-weary and have matured, but neither one is fully prepared for the events that befall him in this survival tale. As the days and tragic events mount, patience and tempers wear thin, creating a realistic but less appealing group of characters. The well-paced plot leads to an ending that provides just enough closure to satisfy and a clear opening for a third book. Libraries that own the original need the sequel. Those without it should consider purchasing both titles.—Cindy Wall, Southington Library & Museum, CT