A dystopian novel, a complex and haunting exploration of life on the edge and what it takes to triumph over adversity. A story about the indomitable nature of hope and relationships.
Two young boys, an old tramp, a beautiful teenage dancer, named Tia, and her baby, they are survivors of a sudden war. They form a fragile family, hiding out in the ruins of an amusement park. As they scavenge for food, diapers, and baby formula, they must stay out of sight of vicious gangs and lawless solders. At first they rely on Billy, the only adult in the group. But as civil life deteriorates, Billy starts to fall apart. Skip, who is barely into his teens, must take over and lead them on a search for sanctuary. A sad story of the lengths a person will go to to survive, I felt especially sad for Tia who had to make mind damaging decisions to survive. I felt that there were many ways to interpret the story dependent on your own life experiences. I would read this book again ( )

I’m at a bit of a loss with this one. The writing is beautiful, but I found Skip’s voice just wasn’t convincing. I couldn’t keep a picture of him in my head as his age kept slipping away from me. The ending was great, but the build-up didn’t really grab me. Maybe it was my mood? ( )

A book that explores the effects of war on the most marginalized of society--the homeless, young runaways, orphans. Narrated by Skip, the 13 yr. old protagonist, in a somber, yet hopeful tone as he struggles to survive with the "family" he has picked up along the way: Billy, an old homeless man Skip knew from the city; Max, a small boy found in the ruins of the library; and Tia, a teenage dancer discovered at a theme park along with her baby, Sixpence. While the city's bombing and enemy occupation are what propel the action in the story, this is a more meditative study on a desperate situation and the lengths one goes to ensure survival and a sense of hope. ( )

This book is beautifully written and has some lovely characters in it - old Billy, Skip, Tia, her baby, Sixpence, and little Max (who is personally my favourite). Although we never understand why war starts, it brings together these five characters who become a 'family' with their home being an abandoned fun fair. Skip narrates the story and I enjoyed his artistic view of the world (light, colour, shadows) and his strong need to protect those in his care. This is a touching story of hope and survival with an ending I was not expecting. ( )

Interesting if flawed YA

"We were gobsmacked to see the girl because not many people visit funfairs that don't work, especially when there's a war going on"

A tale of survival of war, of homelessness, of coming of age and of hope: Skip has run away foster care and has being living rough when the war hits. He only has one friend in the world, a bitter but not uncaring homeless man called Billy and somehow, if Billy is still alive, they must leave the city and find a safe place, away from the bombs and the soildiers, away from the dead.

It's an interesting premise: a kids view of a war, with much hidden and hinted at and a lack of reasons and sides. It doesn't get bogged down by a why or a where just what happens and there are some nice juxtapositions of homelessness before and after the war, of the adults bitterness and a child's hope. Millard has a great turn of phrase too and her wry humour enlivens the story. It's not too bleak (being more about hope) but it is sad and thoughtful too, a nice balance. Much of edginess and horror is inferred, its not graphic at all and I have no idea what a child would get from it (feels too young for a teenager). The downside for me is Skip's voice just didn't feel real, far too young and way too naive and cutesy for a street kid. It contantly jarred me from the story, on top of this its not aimed at adults, I don't need an explanation for concepts like symbolism and am familiar with stories of war.

Still its very readble and lovers of YA might want to seek it out, it's got great reviews from people who enjoy the YA genre (I tend to avoid to be honest) ( )