But you certainly don’t need to have read the previous book, because Sheinkin brings us right in to the fascinating, multi-layered true story. It’s an ambitious attempt, either way, and worthy of discussion.įALLOUT picks up about where BOMB (2013 Newbery Honor book (my committee!)) left off. I did feel that the accessibility is sometimes accomplished through characters that aren’t that interesting and through prose that is occasionally heavy-handed in its presentation of themes. GROUND ZERO also shines in “excellence of presentation for a child audience.” Weaving in big issues in an action-packed drama with two storylines could be too much for young readers to follow, but Gratz does a good job of keeping things easy to follow and digest. The structure also strengthens the “interpretation of themes,” as we see Reshmina and Brandon (both young and old) trying to make sense of their experiences. The cliffhanger chapter endings and frequent switches are mostly effective. The dual narratives are largely successful. These aren’t so obvious as to feel contrived and they add a layer of connectiveness to the two stories. Richard sings (p 240) / Reshmina’s grandmother sings (p 241).The tower falls (p 225) / a ceiling caves in (p 231).Reshmina descends towards her village (p 164) / Brandon heads down the stairs (p 165).Passon calls the Taliban (p 151) / Brandon calls his father (p 152).Similar interplay happens between the narratives. I like the way that both characters are struck by awesome visuals at the same time. It was easy to see only the village you lived in and not the wider world if you never stopped to look up. The enormous mountains always humbled her.
Reshmina paused at the top of a ridge to look out at the mountains that swept through Afghanistan and into China. There are some neat narrative connections too, where the actions of Brandon and Reshmina kind of mirror each other:īrandon slipped sideways through the gap and froze.īrandon was staring straight out into open sky. The connections between the stories become clearer, including the fact that the soldier that Reshmina helps is actually Brandon as a grown up and the ways that the 9/11 events led to the extended situation in Afghanistan. Alternating chapters advance each story, with tension building along the way. Then the narrative jumps forward exactly eighteen years to Reshmina, who lives in Afghanistan amid the conflicts between the Taliban, the American military, and the Afghan National Army. The chapter ends with the revelation of the date as the two head upstairs. GROUND ZERO opens by introducing Brandon as he accompanies his dad to work.
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