Sky Jumpers

August 12, 2013
In this fast-paced debut novel, a group of children risk their lives to save their village from bandits. Set several generations after World War III wiped out much of civilization and left old technology unreliable, the story focuses on 12-year-old Hope, arguably the worst inventor in a society obsessed with recreating lost devices and techniques. Her true talent involves leaping off cliffs to float safely through the Bomb’s Breath, an invisible, deadly haze left over from the war, a practice forbidden by her father. But when White Rock is invaded by those looking to steal precious antibiotics they’ve developed, Hope and her friends brave the Bomb’s Breath to seek help in a harrowing journey made worse by the dead of winter. While the focus on inventions occasionally borders on hard-to-swallow, a general sense of adventure and wonder permeates this tale, making it a fun, quick read. Eddleman brings a strong sense of atmosphere to this post-apocalyptic coming-of-age piece, and the underlying message—that it’s possible to contribute in unexpected ways—is a positive one. Ages 8–12. Agent: Sara Crowe, Harvey Klinger.

July 1, 2013
Following the devastation of World War III, a community struggles to survive. The detonation of the green bombs not only destroyed life, but left behind a terrible legacy: the Bomb's Breath. While this denser and invisible layer of air is poisonous, it also affords the town of White Rock protection and a source of power. In a world devoid of technology, inventors are at a premium, but 12-year-old Hope lacks imagination and mechanical skill. Add in her impulsivity and strong will, and it is no wonder Hope finds herself in trouble more often than not. However, her qualities might be just what the town needs when bandits attack, demanding their life-saving medicine. Hope must lead her friends on a dangerous trek that will either save the lives of many or get them all killed. Hope is a likable but bland heroine, and she faces stereotypical villains. Any real suspense is diffused by obvious plot twists and a predictable ending. This first installment in a new series draws heavily upon several familiar stories, but while imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the result is often a shadow of the original. Another post-apocalyptic copycat. (map) (Post-apocalyptic adventure. 9-13)

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October 1, 2013

Gr 5-7-In 2069, Earth is partially destroyed by the detonation of 27 green bombs that leave behind a pocket of dense oxygen molecules potent enough to kill any creature that inhales them. Twelve-year-old Hope lives in one of the few safe areas of fertile land that still remain. This life-threatening pocket of air, known as the Bomb's Breath, has blocked all magnetic forces, causing many of the technological advancements of the early 21st century to disappear. Now the mostly agrarian society puts heavy emphasis on people to invent useful gadgets to improve on the quality of life, but Hope has no skills in this area. The only thing that she is good at is jumping through the Bomb's Breath, a secret she has shared only with her friend Aaron. At a council meeting, the citizens of White Rock are told that the Bomb's Breath, besides being a danger, has also served as a deterrent to roving groups of bandits from looting their town. When some thieves break through these protective perimeters to hold the town hostage for a rare antibiotic they have invented, Hope's father is injured in the process. The antibiotic is the only cure for Shadel's Sickness, a contagious disease developed as an offshoot of the war. Besides her dad needing the medicine to stave off the infection from his injury, the entire community needs it to survive the next year. Help from the neighboring communities is mandatory before time runs out, so Hope, along with some friends, carries off a daring and dangerous escape to run for help. The curriculum strengths of this book include heavy STEM subjects such as chemistry, medical biology, and earth science, as well as the structure of local government and nation building. Students not ready for the violence of The Hunger Games will enjoy the book's adrenaline-rush daredevil adventures in the first installment in this series.-Sabrina Carnesi, Crittenden Middle School, Newport News, VA

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