Recent Reads - The Last Book In The Universe

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The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick - This post-apocalyptic novel is assigned reading for the high school creative writing class I'm teaching at our homeschool co-op, so obviously I needed to read it if I'm to guide discussion about it. It's targeted for a younger teen audience, around middle school age, and was chosen to go along with the high school level writing course because its easy readability makes it a generally quick read for older students who are then able to focus on the story-telling aspects and learn from it.

So here's what happens in the fast-paced story. The protagonist is a teenager who has become known as Spaz, thanks to his epilepsy. His disability got him banished from his foster family and the 'latch' (a neighborhood run by a gang) he'd been brought up in, and he's an outsider even among outsiders. It turns out that there's some good news to having epilepsy though - he was never able to use mind-probes, which is the addictive and brain-draining method most people in the latches are getting entertainment and information. Spaz meets an old man named Ryter who takes an interest in him, and eventually accompanies Spaz on his quest to reach his ill foster sister.

Spaz and Ryter must cross forbidden latches, travel through no-mans land areas, and face all kinds of dangers. Along the way, Ryter continuously talks to Spaz about the importance of books and writing, which are almost completely unknown in this future world. They even wind up rescuing a 'proov' (genetically improved people who live in Eden, which is completely off limits to 'normals') and then try to enlist her help in getting to Spaz's sister.

I read this book in a couple of hours as we drove home from vacation, and I look forward to being able to discuss it in class with my students. It's a great quest and adventure story with interesting characters and a theme perfect for a writing or literature group to discuss.

This book is a Book Under 250 pages for the Full House Reading Challenge 2018 hosted by The Book Date; and a book you can read in a day for the 2018 Reading Challenge at Modern Mrs. Darcy.

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