Outwalkers, written by Fiona Shaw, reviewed by Anneliese White

Summary: In a future world where a virus threatens the world, twelve year old Jake is trapped in an orphanage after his parents died in an automobile accident. Living under horrible conditions, he escapes to the outside world running from the government and those who run the orphanage, as every person living in England is implanted with a chip to track and monitor them. Jake finds a group of teens like him called the Outwalkers, who take him in as part of their group, as they try and make their way to freedom at the Scottish border. “Outwalkers” is full of suspense, twists and turns, and adventure, as the group encounters many dangers along their journey including finding shelter, being trapped in an underground subway, running from the Coalition who is trying to capture them, and a government conspiracy. Along the way Jake has his trusty sidekick, his loveable dog Jet, and their main goal is to get to Jake’s grandparents who live in Scotland. A page turner from start to finish, “Outwalkers” is a great science fiction pick for young readers set in a dystopian future. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is a must pick for libraries’ science fiction collections, and it is sure to hold reader’s interest through the adventure and suspenseful chapters. Librarians should note there are references to drinking and drug use, which may be a concern as this is marketed to upper elementary grades. It also is a large read for this age group, but manageable for those who have enjoyment in this genre. “Outwalkers” would be a great pick for discussions on government control, a sort of younger reader’s version of “1984” or “The Handmaid's Tale.” These teenagers are also able to solve the majority of their problems with minimal help from adults, which would appeal to younger readers as well. This book is not for everyone, but would definitely be predicted to be a popular pick in school libraries.