Gone by Michael Grant 558 pages

This is almost like a kid's version of Stephen King's Under the Dome. Life dramatically changes in a small, California town the day that everyone over 15 vanishes. Like Dome, there is a strange physical barrier that prevents the inhabitants from leaving or help arriving. Some of the kids develop super powers. Like Lord of the Flies, the kids have to create a new society. Some of the kids, especially those who had attended a private school for disturbed children, become evil and violent. Sam, a likeable kid, who had a hero reputation (last year when the bus driver had a heart attack, he acted quickly to save the bus load of kids) becomes the reluctant leader. Astrid, a bright but somewhat strident girl, becomes his right- hand assistant. This book is soooooooo good. The evil characters remind me of some of the villains from the old Batman TV show. The evil mastermind turns out to be the twin brother he didn't know he had. And so many dilemmas, like what will happen when Sam hits the magic 15? How can he organize his community, make sure that the little kids are fed and taken care of? There is heroism, evil and the unknown. I am almost done with book 2 Hunger and hope that book 3 is soon available.