| | (His disappearance is like something out of Atlas Shrugged.)
However, his book remains popular. Of course, the libertarians sell it. More interesting is that it is still in print, sold to other publishers, and that an audio tape has been produced.
1977 Dell Paperback 92893-1/Laurel leaf science ficton.
1995 Runestone Press Books:
School & Library Binding Publisher: Rebound by Sagebrush (July 2003)
The reviews are always touchstones of the soul.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8 The Girl Who Owned a City by O.T. Nelson (Runestone, 1995) is a sober survival story about a fifth grade girl identified simply as Lisa. The novel recounts Lisas struggle to care for herself and her younger brother in a world where everyone over the age of 12 has been wiped out by a mysterious plague. Forced to steal and afraid of gangs of child thieves, the pair go from barricading themselves in their basement to working with neighborhood children to form a militia. Lisa demonstrates her skills in creative problem solving as she finds food sources and establishes a secure community in an abandoned high school. However, the use of weapons such as firearms, bombs and other violent means of ensuring safety are disturbing. The compelling premise of the story is marred by inconsistencies in the plot. While its possible to believe that an 11- year-old could master driving a car, it is hard to understand why only a week after all the adults have died there is no mention of corpses. Julie Dretzin does a fine reading of the sometimes meandering story. The importance of working together and thinking before acting are recurring themes in this novel. With ample discussion and analysis. this presentation could be a jumping off point for a unit on violence.Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Reviewer Barbara Wysocki apparently does not understand the difference between taking something from an abandoned warehouse and taking something from a person. Both, to her, are "stealing."
A deadly plague has swept the earth, killing everyone over the age of 12. Children are hungry and afraid. Some have joined fierce gangs that roam the streets, bullying and stealing. The children of Grand Avenue have a better life than most. Lisa, their 10-year-old leader, has found a supply of food. She has even devised a plan to keep them safe -- for now. They have a lot to learn, though, such as how to defend the school that is now their city, how to get along with each other, and how to do all the jobs that adults used to do. Espousing such values as cooperation and the importance of making informed choices, O.T. Nelson tempers a potentially disturbing situation with a strong young heroine and a positive prognosis for the future. Julie Dretzin's skilled narration brings life to this powerful book requested by teachers all over the country.
"working together... co-operation... informed choices..."
Do you think it is statistically likely that all of these reviewers never understood that Lisa was reading Atlas Shrugged? Do you think they are pretending that we will not know?
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