In the summer of 1962, the possibility of nuclear war is all anyone talks about. But Scott’s dad is the only one in the neighborhood who actually prepares for the worst. As the neighbors scoff, he builds a bomb shelter to hold his family and stocks it with just enough supplies to keep the four of them alive for two critical weeks. In the middle of the night in late October, when the unthinkable happens, those same neighbors force their way into the shelter before Scott’s dad can shut the door. With not enough room, not enough food, and not enough air, life inside the shelter is filthy, physically draining, and emotionally fraught. But even worse is the question of what will, and won’t, remain when the door is opened again.
This was a powerful read, it makes you really wonder, what if the bomb had actually been dropped. This book was a fast and very interesting read. I really enjoyed how Strasser alternated between the reality in the shelter and the memories of the main character. There are some very difficult moral dilemmas that really make you think.
Best-selling author Todd Strasser has written yet another impressive and personal novel, exploring the terrifying what-ifs of one of the most explosive moments in human history. People who love historical fiction and other books by Strasser will definitely need to read this one.