(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Lily Padula. After mysterious pink flashes apparently destroy most of civilization, five child protagonists find themselves aboard the ship the Defiant. They learn how to survive both nature and other groups of stranded children, mostly hostile, whom they encounter during their months at sea. The tone of this mystical, Lost-like adventure is rather sinister, but the children's loyalty buoys the tale; the conclusion is open-ended but hopeful.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano