The Dead and the Gone

Name: The Dead and the Gone
ISBN: 9780152063115

by Susan Beth Pfeffer

When a celestial event devastates Earth, Alex Morales is left to care for his younger sisters in a crumbling New York City. They face starvation, illness, and moral dilemmas in a desperate fight for s

About This Book

In this gripping dystopian novel, a meteor hitting the moon triggers catastrophic climate changes, plunging New York City into chaos. Seventeen-year-old Alex Morales is left to protect his two younger sisters, Briana and Julie, after their parents go missing. The story follows Alex's harrowing journey as he grapples with the immense responsibility of finding food, shelter, and hope in a society rapidly breaking down. It explores profound themes of grief, resilience, moral compromise, and the unbreakable bonds of family, offering a raw and unflinching look at survival in extreme circumstances. This is the second book in 'The Last Survivors' series, running concurrently with 'Life as We Knew It' but from a different perspective.

After a meteor hits the moon and sets off a series of horrific climate changes, seventeen-year-old Alex Morales must take care of his sisters alone in the chaos of New York City.

Heads up, parents

Character Death

peril_danger

separation_from_parent

illness

Scary Scenes

Violence

Discussion Prompts

How does Alex change throughout the story? What moments force him to grow up the most?

What moral dilemmas does Alex face, particularly with 'body shopping'? How do you think you would react in his situation?

Discuss the different ways Alex, Briana, and Julie cope with the loss and uncertainty. How do their personalities and beliefs influence their reactions?

What role does faith play in the lives of the characters, especially Briana and Father Mulrooney? How does Alex's relationship with his faith evolve?

The book shows how quickly society can break down. What aspects of human nature, both good and bad, are highlighted in this extreme situation?

How does the setting of New York City contribute to the story's atmosphere and challenges?

External Reviews

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