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.

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.