Monument 14 Sky on Fire

One of the most popular books in my class last year was Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne. A chemical cloud has been unleashed in Colorado and a group of kids take refuge in a superstore. They have to figure out how to survive and find a way to get to the airport to evacuate and maybe find their parents. In this sequel, it picks up when half the group has left in the bus to get help for those left behind. Among the group are high school kids and some much younger kids, oh and a dog. The story is told in the alternating voices of brothers Dean and Alex. Alex has left with the bus and Dean has stayed behind because his blood type makes it deadly for him to be exposed to the air. Each group faces deadly circumstances on their journeys. The kids on the bus are hijacked by some rogue teenagers and must make their way to the airport on foot. The kids in the store face intruders who want to get into the store. But they have learned not to let outsiders in. When the hijackers find out about the store, they take the bus and head for the group that was left behind. Mayhem ensues. People are killed. Friends are lost and new friends are made. Dean is forced to do things that will haunt him for the rest of his life. A love story even occurs amidst the chaos. After a harrowing rescue mission, the kids are reunited- mostly- until a newspaper arrives. And the person in the picture must be saved... Cue the next book in the series. These are fast paced books that appeal to all readers, but especially the hard to reach boy population. That being said- strap on your gas masks and pack your backpacks- it's going to be a bumpy ride! Happy reading my friends!