THE SCAVENGERS
Jeanne DuPrau's The City of Ember meets Louis Sachar's Holes in this imaginative and hilarious middle grade novel from New York Times bestselling author Michael Perry.
When the world started to fall apart, the government gave everyone two choices: move into the Bubble Cities . . . or take their chances outside. Maggie's family chose to live in the world that was left behind. Deciding it's time to grow up and grow tough, Maggie rechristens herself “Ford Falcon”—a name inspired by the beat-up car she finds at a nearby junkyard.
Jeanne DuPrau's The City of Ember meets Louis Sachar's Holes in this imaginative and hilarious middle grade novel from New York Times bestselling author Michael Perry.
When the world started to fall apart, the government gave everyone two choices: move into the Bubble Cities . . . or take their chances outside. Maggie's family chose to live in the world that was left behind. Deciding it's time to grow up and grow tough, Maggie rechristens herself “Ford Falcon”—a name inspired by the beat-up car she finds at a nearby junkyard. The same junkyard where Ford's family goes to scavenge for things they can use and barter with the other people who live OutBubble. Her family has been able to survive this brave new world by working together. But when Ford comes home one day to discover her home ransacked and her family missing, she must find the strength to rescue her loved ones with the help of some friends.
The Scavengers is a wholly original tween novel that combines an action-packed adventure, a heartfelt family story, and a triumphant journey of self-discovery. It achieves the perfect balance of humor and heart in a world where one person's junk is another person's key to survival.
- HarperCollins
- Hardcover
- September 2014
- 336 Pages
- 9780062026163
Buy the Book
$16.99
About Michael Perry
Michael Perry is a humorist and author of the adult bestselling memoirs Population: 485, Truck: A Love Story, Coop, and Visiting Tom. This is his first novel for children. Michael lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and two daughters.
Praise
“This brave, smart, funny, independent young hero is totally unlike anyone I’ve seen before, and she uses her wits to survive in a world unlike anything I could have dreamt up.” —Wendy Mass, New York Times bestselling author of The Candymakers
“Gifted and gritty, Ford Falcon is a heroine with heart. She grabs you by both arms and hauls you into her world—a haunting futurescape where you have to be inventive to survive, where every decision has a price. Michael Perry’s writing is exquisite, humorous and thrilling.” —Leslie Connor, author of Waiting for Normal
“A fast-paced, post-apocalyptic Laura Ingalls Wilder wilderness story. Comparisons to other gritty, engaging tough-girl-with-a-strong-moral-compass stories are inevitable, but Maggie has originality and grit to spare.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Unique and interesting cast of characters. Maggie is a strong, brave, adventurous, and resourceful role model for younger readers.” —School Library Journal
Discussion Questions
If you lived in the world of The Scavengers, would you choose to live inside our outside of the Bubble cities? Why?
The narrator changes her identity from Maggie to Ford Falcon, assigning characteristics to each name. Which is her true identity? Can she be both?
Maggie’s mom says, “Just because our life is rough around the edges doesn’t mean we have to be rough around the edges.” How do Maggie and her family adapt differently to their ‘rough lives’? What similarities and differences do you see between Maggie’s family and your family?
What is the significance of The American Boy’s Handy Book? Why do you think Toad gave that specific book to Maggie?
When Maggie’s family disappears she is forced to take on many responsibilities. Which challenge do you think was most difficult for her? What new challenges arise after Maggie finds her parents?