Grasshopper Jungle
Smith, A. (2014). Grasshopper
jungle. New York: Dutton.
Grasshopper Jungle is the apocalyptic story of teenagers
Austin Szerba and Robbie Brees along with girlfriend, Shann Collins, and how
they try to save the world. Due to a series of random events, MI Plague Strain 412E
is released into the town of Ealing, Iowa. At first it is not known what a
chain reaction this will set off. Eventually, six foot praying mantises are hatched out of the original people contaminated and these Unstoppable Soldiers
proceed to do what instinct dictates: they eat and procreate. Austin, Robbie
and Shann manage to escape with a select few to a stocked bunker and escaped
the destruction of the Earth. They do discover that Robbie Brees is the only
one who can stop an Unstoppable Soldier, but it is too late to save the planet.
Grasshopper Jungle is a Science Fiction story that falls
under the Apocalyptic category that tells of the end of the world. The story is
told from Austin’s point of view where the reader follows along as Austin tells
the story of the end of the world. Austin and Robbie Brees have been best
friends for years and while Robbie admits his sexual leanings, Austin is
confused. Austin has a girlfriend, Shann Collins, who has a hard time
understanding his confusion. The unique circular writing style, keeps the story
flowing as Austin discloses the history of his ancestors and relates the events
that occur before and during the end of the world.
The audio version of this novel is delivered
with a very “matter of fact” style (occasionally monotone) that seems to in
direct opposite of the action in the story.
Awards:
Printz Award Nominee (2015)
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for
Fiction (2014)
Interesting Connections:
No comments:
Post a Comment