The Compound: Volume 1

S. A. Bodeen

Apr 2008 · The Compound Book 1 · Sold by Feiwel & Friends

About this ebook

S.A. Bodeen's The Compound is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Eli and his family have lived in the Compound for six years.

The world they knew is gone.

Eli's father built the Compound to keep them safe. Now, they can't get out.

He won't let them.

Ratings and reviews

When I originally picked up the book, it seemed like a great concept even if it was unoriginal. I found myself engaged when the main conflict started unraveling, but I felt myself getting dissconected when the story headed into its final act. There were tons of ways this book could've ended, but the one that was chosen made this book go out with a whimper ;)

It suffers from the same thing as the first. The story doesn't pick up till half way through. Again. The leading up parts are setup for the story development. But there are almost useless parts to the whole "setup" half of the book. Though this "setup' half is better than the first books. Because, Spoiler Alert (for the first book) they're out of the Compound, so there's more freedom for the story. It's a good book. But only if you read the first, because then the first half actually interests you.

This is one of those books that says to me, "Keep reading." I am a high school student and I am not a person that reads on a regular basis, but the imagination and thought that goes through this book is astounding to me. Realistic plot, understandable characters, and well developed and rounded thoughts to tie it all together. I hope to read more of the books by this author.

About the author

S.A. Bodeen is the author of The Gardener and several picture books, including Elizabeti's Doll, winner of the Ezra Jack Keats Award. The Compound earned her an ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults, a Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, and a Publishers Weekly "Flying Start." Bodeen grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin. Her first friends were cows, which she named after characters in books. From there she went on to be a Peace Corps volunteer in East Africa, and has lived in seven states, as well as a remote Pacific island. She adores books and is a big fan of cheese. She lives in Oregon.