Marsden, John. Tomorrow When the War Began
John Marsden's Tomorrow When the War Began is a gripping work of fiction. While reading his book, it is hard to believe that you are actually reading a work of fiction because the events are so close to reality that it is frightening. The book contains realistic scenes, dramatic action, well-developed characters and plots, and all aspects of human emotion.
The book begins with a group of teens who want to get a break from life so they go out into the Australian outback for a week of fun. Their camping trip ends, and the group returns to what they thought would be their normal lives. They never imagined the terror they find-their homes ransacked, their pets and livestock dead and dying. But worst of all, their families are gone. Australia has been invaded, and the teens are forced to become fugitives in the night, dodging patrols of enemy soldiers and bullets in the dark. The teens are faced with a choice--give up or fight back.
Tomorrow When the War Began leads you from beginning to end into the chilly hands of war and shows you the epic adventure from childhood into adulthood as the teens are forced to live in a way they have never lived before.
The greatest of John Marsden's skills is character development. All though the book, the characters are put into real-life situations and they are forced to deal with real human emotions. The author makes it possible to put oneself into any one of the main character's shoes. It is easy to believe that you actually know and feel for any one of the characters.
Although Tomorrow When the War Began appeals to middle school ages to adults, I believe that it would be enjoyed most by teens of high school age because the book is about a group of average teenagers and other teenagers reading it would make a real connection.
If you enjoy this book also read The Dead of Night, the sequel, or see Red Dawn, a movie of the same theme-teenagers forced to fight a war.
Jason Leighton-November 9, 1998
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library - This page last updated 11/09/98 - lme.