Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Brilliantly told dystopian tale of truth-seeking kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
AWAY starts with what seems to be a normal summer day in Colorado. Ranch kid Grandin (14), future doctor Ashanti (12), cub reporter Harmony (12), and filmmaker Teddy (12) all have big plans—which come to nothing as they and their families are forced from their homes and evacuated to parts unknown, eventually landing in the same camp. Why is this happening? No one knows for sure, though the government agencies talk of a deadly plague killing everything in its path and also mysteriously corrupting the internet—so all phones and electronics have been confiscated. Brought together by a passion for muckraking journalism and movies, and a determination to get back to their lives and homes, they work to uncover what's really going on—which turns out be quite a bit more than they thought. It's also a lot bigger and more powerful. What to do?
Is It Any Good?
Brilliantly crafted, heart-tuggingly relatable, and inspiring, this dystopian novel for middle school-aged kids is an important read. Megan E. Freeman spins a thrilling tale as kids meet in an evacuation camp after being forced from their homes, want to go back, and grow increasingly suspicious of the official version. As Away unfolds, narrated by Grandin (14), Ashanti (12), Teddy (12) and Harmony (12) in verse, screenplays, letters, and zines, the adults are doing their best to cope with the new reality and asking no questions, even as the months drag on with no information. Whatever's going on, the forces behind it must reckon with a junior muckraker who quotes Ida B. Wells, a future doctor with steely determination, a strong, animal-loving ranch kid who just wants to go home, and a junior filmmaker who's seen every conspiracy-theory movie ever made, knows how it's done, and is starting to see through their tricks. The characters are irresistible as they confront an overwhelming dystopian challenge in a lively tale packed with useful tips on spotting and dealing with manipulation and lies by those in power.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stories like Away that depict families ripped from their homes and forced into bad situations by circumstances they don't understand and can't control. Do you know any books or movies that tell this story well? What are they, and how does Away compare?
What tools did the people behind the mass evacuations use to keep their victims ignorant and compliant? How do you avoid falling into traps like that?
How can you tell if something you're being told is true? What can you do to find out?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Activism , Arts , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Integrity , Perseverance , Self-control , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Aladdin
- Publication date : February 11, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 18
- Number of pages : 480
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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