Monument 14

Have you ever had the fantasy of living in a large department store like Target? I mean, if there was a disaster, wouldn't that be the best place to be? On the morning bus ride to school,  Dean's bus is hit with monster sized hail. I mean MONSTER size hail. The bus driver tries to make his way to the Greenway store, the bus tips on it's side and skids to a halt in front of the store. The driver is dead along with several classmates. The younger kids bus is also at the store and that bus driver finds a way to get the kids inside safely. That leaves six high school kids, two eighth graders and six little kids trapped in the store. The bus driver goes for help- and of course you knew this was coming- doesn't come back. The kids are left alone to figure out how to survive when the world seems to have gone mad. A huge tsunami takes out the east coast, a volcano erupts and in Colorado where the kids are, a cloud of toxic gas has been released. The kids need to figure things out- who's in charge, who's going to cook, who's going to be in charge of the little kids and how long will they have to wait it out in the store? It is scary times inside the store, but even scarier outside. Dean has to find his place among the 14 and deal with his huge crush on one of the girls. When some men arrive needing shelter, they have to decide if they should let them in to help. The do decide to let them in, but their original instincts prove right and this sets in motion a not so good chain of events. Do they stay in the store, or make a break for it to Denver where evacuations are taking place? Cliffhanger warning!! I liked this book. It was interesting to see how the kids dealt with their situation and the little kids are kind of hilarious. What would you do in a disaster? I hope I never have to find out. Happy reading my friends!