Book Review: Outside

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley. This book I'm about to recommend won't be officially published and released until October of this year, but I enjoyed it so much I had to review it while it was fresh on my mind! Any teachers or librians reading this, go ahead and add it to your list!

image courtesy of goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222417338-outside

When I saw the cover, read the blurb and saw who the author was, I was so excited for a chance to read this book! Jennifer L. Holm is one of my favorite children's authors, I've loved her other works. As a matter of fact, I just reviewed one of her other books here on my blog! She writes a lot for the middle grade level, and this new one is for that age as well. This one did seem a bit different from the others, and it definitely was, but I enjoyed it!

Based on the description I read on NetGalley, I immediately assumed this was a dystopian tale. Then the more I read, it felt like a mystery. Then a thriller. Then science fiction. I feel it was a mash up of all of the above.

I do not want to spoil anything or give too much away, so I will be vague with the plot. Our story follows Razzi, one of seven children growing up together in a compound known as the Refuge. Their parents are there raising them, but they must follow one very strict rule: never go outside. Nothing Outside is safe, after a war which has left the land poisoned. But they know they are safe inside. One of the children is not satisfied with staying indoors all the time though, and he tries to sneak out, leading to a tragedy. Razzi is the oldest and tries to lead the other kids and keep them safe, but after an unexpected surgery, Razzi suddenly wants to be outside too. She's had a change of heart, so to speak, (pun intended, *hint hint*) and one night, finally gives in the desire to leave the Refuge. What will she find Outside?

The bulk of the story is set in the Refuge, where we see how the kids all live and what life is like after an apocalypse. All the kids had different personalities, and they all really shone through. They came together as a really cute group.

There is some sadness to this story, and I think kids reading it will take it much harder than an adult would. But we do get somewhat of a happy ending, so the end of the story does give the reader closure and some hope. Again, I would recommend teachers and librarians add this to their collection once it is available for purchase! I think young readers will be fascinated with the story!

There is also some science fiction involved that the author blended in beautifully. When that part of the story showed up (and it happens within the first few chapters, but no spoilers here) my reaction was "Whoa! I was not expecting that!" As in, I literally did say that out loud. Then I thought Ah, I see where this is going. And yet, there was still a big twist at the end I somehow did not see coming.

You all know by now that this book falls into a lot of my favorite categories, so of course I am recommending! If you don't purchase it, make sure to look for it at a library this fall. And, as always, happy reading!