Many visitors to Yellowstone National Park don't realize that the boiling hot springs and spraying geysers are caused by an underlying supervolcano, so large that the caldera can only be seen by plane or satellite. And by some scientific measurements, it could be overdue for an eruption. For Alex, being left alone for the weekend means having the freedom to play computer games and hang out with his friends without hassle from his mother. Then the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts, plunging his hometown into a nightmare of darkness, ash, and violence. Alex begins a harrowing trek to seach for his family and finds help in Darla, a travel partner he meets along the way. Together they must find the strength and skills to survive and outlast an epic disaster.

About the Author
Mike Mullin first discovered he could make money writing in sixth grade. His teacher, Mrs. Brannon, occasionally paid students for using unusual words. Mike's first sale as a writer earned 10 cents for one word: tenacious. Since then, Mike has always been involved with literature. One of his early jobs was shelving books at Central Library in Indianapolis. Later, he paid his way through graduate school in part by serving as a reference assistant for Indiana University's library. Mike has worked in his mother's business, Kids Ink Children's Bookstore, for more than twenty years, serving at various times as a store manager, buyer, school and library salesperson, and marketing consultant. Mike wrote his first novel in elementary school-Captain Poopy's Sewer Adventures. He's been writing more or less non-stop ever since.

Reviews
In this chilling debut, Mullin seamlessly weaves meticulous details about science, geography, agriculture and slaughter into his prose, creating a fully immersive and internally consistent world scarily close to reality.-Kirkus Reviews, starred review This is a riveting tale of survival.-Publishers Weekly Mullin's debut novel is carefully researched and vividly imagined, a post-apocalyptic backdrop for an intense tale with adventure, graphic violence, and two young teenagers learning to love. A sure hit for older readers who like intense action, a believable narrator, and a dystopia that could actually happen.-Horn Book Readers will be propelled along to find out what happens to Alex, the environment, and his love life while also asking what they would do in a similar disaster.-Library Media Connection, starred reviewLibrary Media Connection, starred review If you aren't exhausted by the end of the first thirty pages, it's time to check your pulse.--Dave Richardson, READING TODAY book reviewer


Awards
Winner of Delaware Diamonds Award (High School) 2012. Runner-up for Gateway Readers Award 2013. Commended for Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award 2013. Short-listed for Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Young Adult) 2014 and Charlotte Award (High School/Grades 9-12) 2014 and Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers 2013 and Volunteer State Book Awards (High School) 2014 and Sequoyah Book Awards (High School) 2014.



Book Information
ISBN 9781933718552
Author Mike Mullin
Format Hardback
Page Count 476
Imprint Tanglewood Press
Publisher Tanglewood Press
Weight(grams) 678g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 140mm * 41mm