woodendress's review against another edition
3.0
Some horrible disease has spread over the United States, only afflicted those over 12 years old. The only survivors are children, obviously. They must become resourceful or starve to death. Lisa and her brother are surviving on their own, but must face gangs that want to steal their food and resources. Lisa bands together with her neighborhood and they create a "city" in an former school.
Apparently this graphic novel is taken from the original book by O.T. Nelson. I've never read this book, so I can't comment on the original. This book was originally published in the 1970s and I thought the illustrations had a retro feel without being dated. It was a nice nod to the original. Lisa is a strong character almost to the point of it being a fault. She creates a city and claims it as her own, to the point where she doesn't want to admit that others helped her create the city. I felt like this could be a realistic mindset of an eleven year old.
Lisa, and many other of the characters are strong and resourceful and are able to survive despite their being no adults. I did a little research on the original book, and it looks like O.T. Nelson wanted to write a book with children in charge, to show children that they have their own power and agency. I think he accomplished this, because the children are able to survive on their own.
The ending seemed open ended and I don't know if the original book is like that, but I do want to know if anything else happens to these characters. It does seem to be left open to have a sequel, and I would be interested to know more about the disease (which baffles me that it could only kill adults), what is happening in Chicago (briefly referenced in the book) and whether Lisa's city is able to survive the onslaught from the other gangs.
Overall, I give this graphic novel 3 stars, I liked it.
Apparently this graphic novel is taken from the original book by O.T. Nelson. I've never read this book, so I can't comment on the original. This book was originally published in the 1970s and I thought the illustrations had a retro feel without being dated. It was a nice nod to the original. Lisa is a strong character almost to the point of it being a fault. She creates a city and claims it as her own, to the point where she doesn't want to admit that others helped her create the city. I felt like this could be a realistic mindset of an eleven year old.
Lisa, and many other of the characters are strong and resourceful and are able to survive despite their being no adults. I did a little research on the original book, and it looks like O.T. Nelson wanted to write a book with children in charge, to show children that they have their own power and agency. I think he accomplished this, because the children are able to survive on their own.
The ending seemed open ended and I don't know if the original book is like that, but I do want to know if anything else happens to these characters. It does seem to be left open to have a sequel, and I would be interested to know more about the disease (which baffles me that it could only kill adults), what is happening in Chicago (briefly referenced in the book) and whether Lisa's city is able to survive the onslaught from the other gangs.
Overall, I give this graphic novel 3 stars, I liked it.
yokorie's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn't as impressed by The Girl Who Owned a City as the inside cover had me hoping I would be.
So, you've found yourself having survived the apocalypse! Good job! You're under the age of 12 because some freaky disease wiped out all of the adults and teenagers, leaving you and your little friends to fend for yourselves. You have three choices: 1) Die (that's what everyone seems to be doing, after all) 2) Fight it! You're tough! But die (or at least go through an extreme amount of hardship) because there's no food/ disease/ other, super mean, kids/ a lack of safe shelter/ etc. Your last option is C) Live a pretty comfortable life because food is plentiful, shelter is readily found and always safe, those around you are eager to help, you have some first-aid kits, and you are a character in the graphic novel The Girl Who Owned a City, based on the novel by the same name.
Abandonment and survival are staples of post-apocalyptic (in this case, plague-caused) literature, but this book has somehow been able to subvert every possible hardship that a bunch of children, now orphans, could possibly face. Food? It's a little rough at first, but there's enough to go around. Housing? Everyone has shelter. Health? No disease/ ear infections/ boo-boos here. By the time the climax comes and the only real conflict in the book comes to head? That turns out just a-okay too. There's very little semblance of hardship or struggle, or if there is it's recovered incredibly quickly. Man, these kids are super lucky. Man vs. nature, man vs. man, and other conflicts that typically arise in apocalyptic books just aren't found here, or are squashed quickly by good old fashion hard work.
I am thankful for the artwork, though. It's beautiful, and it was the vibrant cover that caught my eye in the first place. The linework and colors are amazing, and I would have enjoyed seeing more had the book been longer.
Speaking of longer, did I mention how short the book is? It isn't as though a lot of conflict was cut out because the book was pushing hundreds of pages, it took me less than an hour to get through. There was room for more conflict, more struggles, more doubts of survival, etc.
I'm not asking for these things because I'm a sadist, but if you're going to take on the lofty goal of portraying a society of children, all aged 12 and younger, in a world where literally all of the teenagers and adults are gone I would expect to see things that would be a little more troubling than what's portrayed in The Girl Who Owned a City. My library has it listed as "young adult," but I'm certain a fourth or fifth grader could conquer this book just fine.
I love female protagonists, and enjoyed Lisa as far as characters go, but I wish she had been given more so that we could see just how much she can do.
So, you've found yourself having survived the apocalypse! Good job! You're under the age of 12 because some freaky disease wiped out all of the adults and teenagers, leaving you and your little friends to fend for yourselves. You have three choices: 1) Die (that's what everyone seems to be doing, after all) 2) Fight it! You're tough! But die (or at least go through an extreme amount of hardship) because there's no food/ disease/ other, super mean, kids/ a lack of safe shelter/ etc. Your last option is C) Live a pretty comfortable life because food is plentiful, shelter is readily found and always safe, those around you are eager to help, you have some first-aid kits, and you are a character in the graphic novel The Girl Who Owned a City, based on the novel by the same name.
Abandonment and survival are staples of post-apocalyptic (in this case, plague-caused) literature, but this book has somehow been able to subvert every possible hardship that a bunch of children, now orphans, could possibly face. Food? It's a little rough at first, but there's enough to go around. Housing? Everyone has shelter. Health? No disease/ ear infections/ boo-boos here. By the time the climax comes and the only real conflict in the book comes to head? That turns out just a-okay too. There's very little semblance of hardship or struggle, or if there is it's recovered incredibly quickly. Man, these kids are super lucky. Man vs. nature, man vs. man, and other conflicts that typically arise in apocalyptic books just aren't found here, or are squashed quickly by good old fashion hard work.
I am thankful for the artwork, though. It's beautiful, and it was the vibrant cover that caught my eye in the first place. The linework and colors are amazing, and I would have enjoyed seeing more had the book been longer.
Speaking of longer, did I mention how short the book is? It isn't as though a lot of conflict was cut out because the book was pushing hundreds of pages, it took me less than an hour to get through. There was room for more conflict, more struggles, more doubts of survival, etc.
I'm not asking for these things because I'm a sadist, but if you're going to take on the lofty goal of portraying a society of children, all aged 12 and younger, in a world where literally all of the teenagers and adults are gone I would expect to see things that would be a little more troubling than what's portrayed in The Girl Who Owned a City. My library has it listed as "young adult," but I'm certain a fourth or fifth grader could conquer this book just fine.
I love female protagonists, and enjoyed Lisa as far as characters go, but I wish she had been given more so that we could see just how much she can do.
shanyreader's review against another edition
4.0
Overall Rating: 3.5
Illustrations: 2 Stars--this is more my style I think. The characters look unique and identifiable and it just looks awesome. It's not beautiful, but it's edgy and I really like it. Only thing I would say is...these characters do NOT look like they are under 12. I am around kids who are under 12 every day...and they don't look like that at all. Craig...looks like he's 16 or something, which kept throwing me off. Everyone looked very old besides the really younger kids. But all in all--wonderful work.
Plot/Characters: 1.5ish...Now, this was a good book. I really LIKED it--it was interesting, it was kind of spooky, it was thought-provoking...I just wish...there was more. I haven't read the original book, so I'm not sure if the virus is left vague just...to be left vague, but it definitely was something that would have been cool to look into. But the characters were alright. I didn't mind Lisa though I do have to say she was rather selfish in my opinion...but she's so young, you almost have to forgive her. My other objection is...these characters are not making decisions ANY 10-12 year old would make. Just...3rd/4th graders? Really? I can't believe it. If there was an older range of kids, maybe up to 16, I could probably believe this story more, but I don't have faith that any of the kids in 2012 under 13 would be capable of such things. We'd end up more with the starving and dead children that Lisa and the others found in the nearby town...The author clearly overestimates children...or maybe I'm just underestimating.
Overall: Pretty awesome book.
Forrrr: No cursing/some slight gore and adult themes like guns, but mostly, bad things are simply implied...so...maybe kids in middle school and over. I think a highschooler could read this as well because they'd appreciate it I feel--the whole apocalytpic situation :)
Illustrations: 2 Stars--this is more my style I think. The characters look unique and identifiable and it just looks awesome. It's not beautiful, but it's edgy and I really like it. Only thing I would say is...these characters do NOT look like they are under 12. I am around kids who are under 12 every day...and they don't look like that at all. Craig...looks like he's 16 or something, which kept throwing me off. Everyone looked very old besides the really younger kids. But all in all--wonderful work.
Plot/Characters: 1.5ish...Now, this was a good book. I really LIKED it--it was interesting, it was kind of spooky, it was thought-provoking...I just wish...there was more. I haven't read the original book, so I'm not sure if the virus is left vague just...to be left vague, but it definitely was something that would have been cool to look into. But the characters were alright. I didn't mind Lisa though I do have to say she was rather selfish in my opinion...but she's so young, you almost have to forgive her. My other objection is...these characters are not making decisions ANY 10-12 year old would make. Just...3rd/4th graders? Really? I can't believe it. If there was an older range of kids, maybe up to 16, I could probably believe this story more, but I don't have faith that any of the kids in 2012 under 13 would be capable of such things. We'd end up more with the starving and dead children that Lisa and the others found in the nearby town...The author clearly overestimates children...or maybe I'm just underestimating.
Overall: Pretty awesome book.
Forrrr: No cursing/some slight gore and adult themes like guns, but mostly, bad things are simply implied...so...maybe kids in middle school and over. I think a highschooler could read this as well because they'd appreciate it I feel--the whole apocalytpic situation :)
chadstep's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't read the original bit this was fascinating--flawed leaders, deceptive villains, unexplained apocalypse, and lack of resolution all made for a good 70's/80's gritty vision of the future. Bonus points for strong female lead who is also flawed.
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
I received the audiobook of this work through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A virus has killed every adult on earth and the kids must find a way to survive. Lisa is determined to protect her younger brother and in doing so, she must reach out to other kids around her to build up a community of safety. There are many outside threats to Lisa's supplies and resources, so she comes up with a plan to keep people safe. While her ideas work for a time, the outside forces continue to get more crafty and dangerous. As Lisa moves her people into the local school and creates a fortress, her ownership of the city doesn't sit well with all of the residents. In this constant battle for survival, will Lisa and her brother make it out alive?
I am familiar with the original book and absolutely loved it. I still remember the story even 10+ years later. Thankfully, I did have that knowledge, because the audiobook for this work does jump around. There isn't a slow progression to how Lisa figures out the world around her, or the times between major scuffles. Without the visual component the audio does feel like it is missing large pieces of the story. However, this audio would pair well with the graphic novel and help get the work into the hands of reluctant readers and younger readers. The writing level is challenging and with the audio component, more readers will be able to engage with it.
A virus has killed every adult on earth and the kids must find a way to survive. Lisa is determined to protect her younger brother and in doing so, she must reach out to other kids around her to build up a community of safety. There are many outside threats to Lisa's supplies and resources, so she comes up with a plan to keep people safe. While her ideas work for a time, the outside forces continue to get more crafty and dangerous. As Lisa moves her people into the local school and creates a fortress, her ownership of the city doesn't sit well with all of the residents. In this constant battle for survival, will Lisa and her brother make it out alive?
I am familiar with the original book and absolutely loved it. I still remember the story even 10+ years later. Thankfully, I did have that knowledge, because the audiobook for this work does jump around. There isn't a slow progression to how Lisa figures out the world around her, or the times between major scuffles. Without the visual component the audio does feel like it is missing large pieces of the story. However, this audio would pair well with the graphic novel and help get the work into the hands of reluctant readers and younger readers. The writing level is challenging and with the audio component, more readers will be able to engage with it.
rallisaurus's review
3.0
Thank you internet for helping me find the title of this book! I have been wondering for years. I so did not pick up on that whole Ayn Rand for kids thing when I was 10. But now I'm really questioning the motivations of my 5th grade teacher for reading this to us. Anyway, I clearly loved it since I've remembered it for years. I wonder if it holds up upon re-read?
hailbop's review
3.0
I read this for a book report at the last minute because it was the shortest thing on my bookshelf.
rebelrider's review
3.0
I found this book in the young adult section of the library which I find odd considering that most kids over the age of thirteen would be bored by this book. It had an interesting plot but the author did a pretty poor job of making it realistic.
All the people over age twelve died and the children are on their own. The kids manage to band together and find enough food to survive. They had to learn to fight off the gangs of mean kids who want to take their food.
What I couldn’t figure out is how the gangs of 100+ kids could have survived a year without the food supplies. Sure, the girl’s “city” had a supply but the gangs would have starved off pretty quickly. It never said what had happened to the adult’s bodies which still would have been laying around unless the ten year olds had buried them. (I wondered if mentioning bodies would have been too grim for the age group the book was intended for.)
The book’s language was also very simple as if the author was afraid that kids wouldn’t be able to understand anything that was even slightly complicated. I gave it three stars because I thought maybe ten year old kids might like it but it’s not a book many kids over thirteen would be interested in.
All the people over age twelve died and the children are on their own. The kids manage to band together and find enough food to survive. They had to learn to fight off the gangs of mean kids who want to take their food.
What I couldn’t figure out is how the gangs of 100+ kids could have survived a year without the food supplies. Sure, the girl’s “city” had a supply but the gangs would have starved off pretty quickly. It never said what had happened to the adult’s bodies which still would have been laying around unless the ten year olds had buried them. (I wondered if mentioning bodies would have been too grim for the age group the book was intended for.)
The book’s language was also very simple as if the author was afraid that kids wouldn’t be able to understand anything that was even slightly complicated. I gave it three stars because I thought maybe ten year old kids might like it but it’s not a book many kids over thirteen would be interested in.