by TPS reader williamsm19
Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew A. Smith is a fictional book that is narrated through the main character Austin Szerba. Austin is confused about his own sexuality. He has feelings for his girlfriend Shann Collins and his best friend Robbie Brees. The novel is following the two teens fighting to live through the apocalypse. Set in the fictional town of Ealing, Iowa during a modern day recession. This novel relates to a lot of kids in school today. Throughout the novel there are many examples of things that happen today. While Austin and Robbie are skateboarding near the Ealing Mall, they were jumped by a gang. The gang steals their skateboards and shoes. Also, a lot of people are confused with their sexuality. Although the book is fictional, it brings up lots of things that kids struggle with today such as bullying. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. I never wanted to put it down at night. One of my favorite parts of the book is when Austin and Robbie see Hungry Jack shred his human skin and turn into a praying mantis after being hit by a car. There are lots of praying mantis’ throughout the entire story as there is a army of them. I strongly recommend this book, and I can’t wait to read another one of Andrew Smith’s novels.
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