TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN
By John Marsden
1993
284 Pages
Inside Cover:
When Ellie and her six friends return from a camping trip deep in the bush, they find things hideously wrong. Their families are gone, houses empty and abandoned, pets and stock dead. Gradually they begin to comprehend that their country has been invaded and everyone in their town has been taken prisoner. As the horrible reality of the situation hits them, they have to make a life and death decision: run back into the bush and hide, give themselves up to be with their families, or stay and try to fight.
My thoughts:
This is the first book in a series written by the award winning Australian author John Marsden. A apocalyptic adventure filled with suspense page after page. This book brought back many memories of a movie I saw as a teenager called Red Dawn starring the swoon worthy Patrick Swayze back in the day.
This story is told from Ellie's viewpoint who at the beginning explains that she's been chosen by the group to keep a journal of what has happened to them since their country was invaded. Unexpected war forces this group of rag tag teenagers to grow up real fast and make decisions that will not only affect their futures but also the adults being held hostages by their invaders.
A female narrator brings great emotion to a story that could have easily just been an action one.
What I didn't like about this book:
I don't care for this version of the cover. You honestly can't tell by looking at it what the story is even about. I like the paperback version that shows helicopters in the twilight. It's more fitting for the title and story.
Would I recommend this book to a friend:
YES! I think boys and girls alike age 12 and up would love this story. My son actually read this book first for an English project. He's not a big reader and couldn't stop talking about it. That's when I knew I had to pick it up and check it out for myself. No regrets. In fact, I can't wait to jump into the next book called The Dead of Night.
Oooh, I have this book on my TBR pile! Marsden is my little brother's favorite author so I thought I should read him. I also recommended Marsden last week to a teen at the library when I was volunteering! He had to read a book not by an American.
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