The Big Dark

'In this pageturning adventure by Newbery Honor author Rodman Philbrick, a solar event knocks out our planet's electricity, and a boy must risk his life to save his sick mother.

What would you do if every spark of electricity suddenly vanished, as if somebody had flipped a switch on the entire planet? Cars won't start, the heat shuts off, there's no water in your faucet, and your radio, TV, and flashlight go dark. Everyone in Charlie's small town is baffled.

But as time passes, lawlessness erupts and takes an ugly turn. When the market and pharmacy are torched by an antiSemitic arsonist, Charlie realizes his mother will die without her medicine. So he dons skis and heads off alone, seeking the nearest hospital. After traveling fifty miles through brutal ice and snow, Charlie encounters a burnedout, looted city of terrified citizens. Will he be able to save his mom?

Heroic, eloquent, and unforgettable, The Big Dark raises timely questions about responsibility, tolerance, and love.'

© 2016 Scholastic Audio (Audiobook): 9780545909327

Release date

Audiobook: 1 January 2016