The Girl Who Owned a City

3.7

4.3 (1)

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Author(s)

O.T. Nelson

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Dan Jolley

Publisher

Graphic Universe

Age Range

10+

Release Date

April 01, 2012

ISBN

978-0761356349

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A deadly virus killed every adult on Earth, leaving only us kids behind. My parents are gone, so I'm responsible for my little brother, Todd. I have to make sure we stay alive. Many kids are sick or starving, and fierce gangs are stealing and destroying everything they find. Lots of people have given up, but here on Grand Avenue, some of us are surviving. Because of me. I figured out how to give the kids on Grand Avenue food, homes, and protection against the gangs. But Tom Logan and his army are determined to take away what we've built and rule the streets themselves. How long can we keep fighting them off? We need to find another place for us to live safely. A strong place. A secret place. In a world like this, someone has to take charge. But do I have the strength to take charge of a whole city? Show More Show Less

Editor reviews

2 reviews

A World Without Parents

February 24, 2012 (Updated: February 24, 2012)

Overall rating

3.7

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I love graphic novels. I was very intrigued by the premise of THE GIRL WHO OWNED A CITY. It's an adaption from the original 1975 novel by O.T. Nelson. The dystopian premise of a virus wiping out all adults fits right in with the current wave of similar stories out there now. Only this story is geared toward a younger audience.

No one lived past the age of twelve in this future. Lisa survives with her seven-year-old brother Todd by her wits. Then Todd asks why doesn't she help the other kids out there. This makes Lisa think that maybe that wouldn't be such a bad idea. Lisa recruits others kids in hopes that they can stand up to the feared Chidester gang that terrorizes others.

I really loved the illustrations and the strong protagonist Lisa who has to grow up fast. She's tough in many ways such as realizing that living on just junk food won't help them to survive and also how she plans out a way to build a community. But then she shows how she longs to be a kid and have a vacation which in this future world is probably as dead as the adults.

I love how Lisa stands up to the bullies. She doesn't let them destroy her even when it scares her. There are a few intense scenes of one kid who is scarred after a fight. But it's not over the top or too graphic.

Fast-paced and engaging, this graphic novel is sure to appeal to reluctant readers. Upper elementary school aged readers will enjoy this story without the usual graphic violence of similar tales. Great timing for those who are looking for a dystopia story for younger readers.

Good Points

1. Great illustrations
2. Strong protagonist
3. Engaging story
4. Great for reluctant readers

Kim Baccellia, Staff Reviewer Top 10 Reviewer 889 reviews

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User reviews

1 review

Overall rating

4.3

Plot

5.0(1)

Characters

4.0(1)

Writing Style

4.0(1)

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Different..

August 09, 2016 (Updated: August 09, 2016)

Overall rating

4.3

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I know that I am "just a girl", and that you think that I probably go on a review site and give EVERYTHING a 5 star rating, but I don't.I gave this book a 5 star rating because there was a nice "balance". In a lot of survival-type books its a lot of fighting,gore,shooting, and the characters are a sort of "primal". They don't think logically like Lisa, who goes to a warehouse,they fight for food and gore and steal.Going back to balance,the violence was not extremist, like in the Divergent series, where there was violence of some sort every chapter. The author showed that the Tom Logan game were scared because of the food shortage, and showed the struggles of adolescences.These kids depended on technology and stoves, which poses the question:What would happen if right now the situation in this book came to real life?