The Dry


Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
248 Pages
Reviewed on 12/02/2014
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Dry is a fantasy written for young adults and preteens by Rebecca Nolen. It's set in Jeffersonville, Virginia in 1895, and there's been an extended drought that's badly affected harvests. Elliot Sweeney is 12 years old, and he's been living with his uncle since his father went missing. His father's a journalist who's been investigating the disappearance of a number of children who were working in the local coal mines. It's been 91 days since Elliott began watching for his father's return and, when he sees in the local paper that the authorities have given up their search efforts, he decides that it's time for him to take action. Elliot boards the train that just pulled into the station and sits down with another boy, a woman and a strange old man.

The Dry beautifully blends contemporary and epic fantasy. There are dragons, an evil being made up of thousands of tiny bugs, and an amazing army made up of otters, dragonflies and water horses side-by-side with a mine where children who've been purchased from their families or guardians toil night and day, which has historical relevance. Then there's the gigantic insects; some - like the beetles - are pawns of the evil prince, and others - like the giant wasps - turn out to be amazing and courageous allies. I had so much fun reading this book. Elliott is such a grand character, and his coming of age is marvelous to watch. I also loved the headings for each chapter which share the author's love for and lore about the much maligned wasp. The Dry is exciting and filled with action and adventure, and you really don't have to be a kid or young adult to enjoy reading it. It's most highly recommended.

Samantha Rivera

Elliot’s world has been quite normal living with his father and then with his uncle while his father worked. But everything changes when he learns that his father has disappeared. Every day he continues to wait patiently for more news until he learns that no one is looking anymore. His father has disappeared and he’s not the only one, but no one else seems to care. It’s only Elliot and his new friend Lefty who are going to search for the missing children and Elliot’s missing father. Because something strange is going on beneath the old mines where both Elliot’s father and Lefty’s brother were last seen. There are creatures down there and those creatures will stop at nothing to destroy the world Elliot knows and loves in The Dry by Rebecca Nolan.

Elliot is definitely an interesting character and he’s one that young readers can relate to. He’s curious, intelligent and brave. These characteristics are what help him so much and they are characteristics that other children would emulate. I really liked the descriptions throughout this book because you could imagine everything that was happening. There was an interesting plot line and it seemed like the entire time you never knew whether they were going to succeed or fail in achieving the goal. Elliot overcame a lot and pushed himself further than he would have thought possible, which really shows children what perseverance can do. The Dry by Rebecca Nolan is a book I won’t soon forget.

Kathryn Bennett

The Dry by Rebecca Nolen takes us to West Virginia in 1895 where a drought has hit the state and it is making people desperate. The crops are failing and any city to be hit is starting to starve. So when a newspaper man goes missing, it is really nothing of note to anyone but the man's son. Elliot is upset when he finds out the search for his father has been called off, so he gets on a train and heads off to do the looking himself. He won't let anything stand in his way, not the dry spell and not the sudden appearance of a world he never could have imagined.

Wow, this book has a little bit of everything in it. There is history, a new fantasy world to explore, child slavery - really every page you turn gives you something new to take in. This book is a feast for the senses; you get a whirlwind of emotions and the action just never lets up. You can tell Rebecca Nolen has a passion for the written word because every word is crafted into the right form for this book. I could feel Elliot's frustration and worry when he found out that his father's search was called off. I mean can you imagine being a young boy of 12 and going out to find your parent yourself? With just a few things to aid you? Truly amazing. If you want to take a gripping and wonderful ride, read The Dry.