Search - Empty

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

If we continue with our wasteful, polluting ways, we might be living on "empty." The residents of Spring Valley may have thought they would always have the luxuries of life, but it is evident now that life has changed even for their exclusive little community.

The world's supply of fossil fuels is almost entirely gone. What little oil is left is the subject of wars around the world. Currently, the U.S. is battling Venezuela for control of its remaining reserves. Meanwhile, in the states there are food shortages due to transportation costs, unreliable electrical power, and gas prices at $50+ per gallon.

As a result of global warming, the weather has also gone crazy. Temperatures are unusually cool, making some think that the seasons might be reversing. And, to complicate things, two recent hurricanes have joined forces to become one mega-hurricane, wiping out coastal areas and heading farther inland than anyone could ever imagine.

Teens in the Spring Valley area are experiencing how living in this new world will be changing life as they know it. Nicki is used to having the best of everything, but now knows the loss of her father's job is going to be one of the easier things to deal with. Tom may be part of the popular crowd at school, but that's not going to keep food on the table and gasoline in his tank. Along with several other teens, they may be able to find a way to begin providing for their community again.

Author Suzanne Weyn gives readers a glimpse of a not-too-distant future in EMPTY. If we continue to squander our resources, the end may be near. Reading about how these teens deal with their changing surroundings and lifestyle may encourage us to recognize the error of our ways. At least it provides abundant food for thought.