The Compound by S.A. Bodeen

I had been meaning to read The Compound ever since it started building buzz over the summer.  Somehow, it fell by the wayside until today.

WOW.  If you are a dystopian/apocalyptic fan, this is the story for you!  Briefly, Eli and his family have been living in an underline compound, built by his Bill Gates-like father, ever since the United States was attacked with nuclear weapons.  Eli’s twin brother and his grandmother didn’t make it to the shelter in time and perished in the aftermath.

Or at least that’s what his Dad tells him.  And has been telling the family for the past six years.  With nine years to go before the outside world will be safe to breathe again (radiation poisoning is the main concern), the food supply shows signs of running out.  Eli’s father has a solution.  But the solution is too repulsive to even think about. Horrified, angry, and already suspicious, Eli begins investigating his father’s stories.  What he discovers is shocking and tears the family apart.

I could not put this book down!  While the premise is frightening and unbelievable, Bodeen makes it realistic and all too-consuming.  Get your hands on this one!  I can’t wait to pass it on to my students.