The Scavengers
Jeanne DuPrau's The City of Ember meets Louis Sachar's Holes in this imaginative and humorous middle grade debut from Michael Perry, New York Times bestselling author of the adult novels Population: 485 and Truck: A Love Story.
When the world started to fall apart, the government gave everyone two choices: move into the Bubble Cities...or take their chances outside.
Maggie's family chose to live in the world that was left behind. Deciding it's time to grow up and grow tough, Maggie rechristens herself "Ford Falcon"--a name inspired by the beat-up car she finds at a nearby junkyard.
Ford's family goes to this junkyard to scavenge for things they can use or barter with the other people who live OutBubble. Her family has been able to survive this brave new world by working together. But when Ford comes home one day to discover her home ransacked and her family missing, she must find the strength to rescue her loved ones with the help of some unlikely friends.
The Scavengers is a wholly original tween novel that combines an action-packed adventure, a heartfelt family story, and a triumphant journey of self-discovery in a world where one person's junk is another person's key to survival. Katherine Applegate, author of the Newbery Medal winner The One and Only Ivan, raves: "Michael Perry pulls out all the stops in this colorful tale."
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Michael Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist, playwright, and radio show host from New Auburn, Wisconsin.
Perry’s bestselling memoirs include Population: 485 (recently adapted for the stage), Truck: A Love Story, Coop, Visiting Tom, and Montaigne in Barn Boots: An Amateur Ambles Through Philosophy. Among his other dozen titles are The Scavengers (for young readers) and his novel The Jesus Cow.
Raised on a small Midwestern dairy farm, Perry put himself through nursing school while working on a ranch in Wyoming, then detoured into writing. He lives with his wife and two daughters in rural Wisconsin, where he serves on the local volunteer fire and rescue service and is an intermittent pig farmer. He hosts the nationally-syndicated “Tent Show Radio,” performs widely as a humorist, and tours with his band the Long Beds (currently recording their third album). His three live humor albums include Never Stand Behind A Sneezing Cow and The Clodhopper Monologues, and can be found online at www.sneezingcow.com.
Michael also hosts a subscription audio newsletter at www.michaelperry.substack.com.
"Michael Perry pulls out all the stops in this colorful tale. You gotta love Ford Falcon, an intrepid heroine who can pepper-bomb a solar bear while quoting Emily Dickinson. As her friend Toad might say: Le-dightful." -- Katherine Applegate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Newbery Medal book The One and Only Ivan
"This brave, smart, funny, independent young hero is totally unlike anyone I've seen before, and she uses her wits to survive in a world unlike anything I could have dreamt up." -- Wendy Mass, New York Times bestselling author of The Candymakers
"Gifted and gritty, Ford Falcon is a heroine with heart. She grabs you by both arms and hauls you into her world--a haunting futurescape where you have to be inventive to survive, where every decision has a price. Michael Perry's writing is exquisite, humorous and thrilling." -- Leslie Connor, author of Waiting for Normal
"A fast-paced, post-apocalyptic Laura Ingalls Wilder wilderness story. Comparisons to other gritty, engaging tough-girl-with-a-strong-moral-compass stories are inevitable, but Maggie has originality and grit to spare." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Ford Falcon capably demonstrates how a smart, determined kid might handle the end of the world and her place in it." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Unique and interesting cast of characters. Maggie is a strong, brave, adventurous, and resourceful role model for younger readers." -- School Library Journal
