Sunday, January 02, 2005
Armageddon Summer by Jane Yolen and Bruce Coville
Armageddon Summer by Jane Yolen and Bruce Coville is a quick look at how adults' religious choices can affect their children and how teens can assess those choices to find their own ways and beliefs.
Jed's father is a Believer. He became a Believer after his wife ran off with a photographer and alchohol did not fill the void left behind.
Marina's mom is a Believer. She has taken her 5 children firmly with her into Believing even though her husband resisted and has been left behind.
The rigid quidelines of Reverend Beelson's church appeal to both adults. So many choices are just not needed when the strict restrictions are in place for the congregation. Reverend Beelson doesn't just know The Way; he knows The Day. July 27th is the day of armageddon so the Reverend has gathered 144 Believers and they have made their way to the top of a mountain to wait for the new world.
Jed and MArina have chosen to be with their parents but are not sure about their own beliefs. Is Reverend Bleeson right about the necessity of having every one and every thing below the barrier killed? What kind of God is that anyway? There is some consolation in thinking that after the set date either nobody will care or else the worst the children will face is knowing that the adults were wrong and look foolish.
In the camp, the realities of a post-apocolypse world start to filter in. Marina struggles to make friends with girls who are so different from herself and with whom she cannot seem to make a connection. Jed worries about the electric fence and the desperation of the family members turned away from the gate. They are both shocked to learn of the plans for breeding which do not include personal decisions.
Marina and Jed are unsure of each other but start to develop a close relationship despite the anger of Marina's mother. Their trust is tested when The Day arrives and things go horribly wrong in a way that neither of them had ever imagined.
Jed's father is a Believer. He became a Believer after his wife ran off with a photographer and alchohol did not fill the void left behind.
Marina's mom is a Believer. She has taken her 5 children firmly with her into Believing even though her husband resisted and has been left behind.
The rigid quidelines of Reverend Beelson's church appeal to both adults. So many choices are just not needed when the strict restrictions are in place for the congregation. Reverend Beelson doesn't just know The Way; he knows The Day. July 27th is the day of armageddon so the Reverend has gathered 144 Believers and they have made their way to the top of a mountain to wait for the new world.
Jed and MArina have chosen to be with their parents but are not sure about their own beliefs. Is Reverend Bleeson right about the necessity of having every one and every thing below the barrier killed? What kind of God is that anyway? There is some consolation in thinking that after the set date either nobody will care or else the worst the children will face is knowing that the adults were wrong and look foolish.
In the camp, the realities of a post-apocolypse world start to filter in. Marina struggles to make friends with girls who are so different from herself and with whom she cannot seem to make a connection. Jed worries about the electric fence and the desperation of the family members turned away from the gate. They are both shocked to learn of the plans for breeding which do not include personal decisions.
Marina and Jed are unsure of each other but start to develop a close relationship despite the anger of Marina's mother. Their trust is tested when The Day arrives and things go horribly wrong in a way that neither of them had ever imagined.
# posted by JJ @ 8:01 PM 
