MBROGDON-- Monument 14- Laybourne- 294

POSTED FOR MBROGDON-- Monument 14- Laybourne- 294

A bunch of kids get caught in the middle of a bunch of natural disasters, but they find a safe place in a sort of Wal-mart.  YA read.

Monument 14, by Emmy Laybourne

Monument 14, by Emmy Laybourne, 296 pages

The day starts like any other for Dean, who is riding the school bus when a giant hail storm sends his bus into a wreck and a rescuing bus drives them into a super-store. Dean and thirteen other kids, ranging from kindergarteners to high school seniors, find themselves locked in the store and realizing that the hail storm was just the beginning.  A megatsunami has wrought havoc on the world, wiping out parts of the country and triggering massive earthquakes and natural disasters, including a release of chemicals from NORAD that have frightening results on those exposed.  High school drama is intense enough without a natural disaster thrown into the mix- this book was a page-turner for me and reminded me (in a good way) of Mike Mullin's Ashfall.

Ashfall by Mike Mullens - 466 p.

   After being told he could stay home alone for the weekend while his parents and younger sister go out of town, Alex is caught in the biggest natural disaster ever to happen. As the world quite literally falls down around him, Alex must face obstacles and dangers he never thought he would have to in his sheltered life. On his trek to find his family, he is helped, hindered, saved, and injured by many people along the road. His chances of surviving are greatly improved after he meets Darla, a girl who can certainly take care of herself...and thank God can help Alex take care of himself, too.
   This book starts in with the action right from the get-go. After the first act of violence, it's obvious that this book is no run-of-the-mill teen book. Reading a book about a natural disaster that could actually happen is surreal. Well-written and exciting debut novel. Can't wait for the next installment in the series!