Horn Book (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

In a strange dystopian world, food shortages, erratic weather, and mutant wildlife have driven many to live in Bubble Cities. However, young Ford Falcon and her family manage a meager existence "OutBubble." When her parents suddenly disappear, Ford must use her scavenging skills to track them down. Despite an abrupt resolution, Ford's instantly compelling voice draws readers fully into her survivalist existence.

School Library Journal (Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

Gr 4-7 Perry creates a version of the future where climate change and the threat of terrorism are wreaking havoc on the world. The government has partnered with the CornVivia Corporation to control corn production after seizing all the farmland in the country through eminent domain. Yet citizens beg the government to do something to protect everyone. The government responds by creating Bubble Citiesdomed, protected cities. The corn that the CornVivia Corporation grows is called URCorn and is genetically modified to cure "cancer and diabetes and baldness and bad skin and arthritis and pretty much whatever ails you." For those families, like Maggie's, that chose to live "Out Bubble," they work very hard to survive off of the less-desirable land. Maggie's family is luckywhen they finally find a place to settle after drifting for a few years, they end up with Toad and Arlinda as neighbors. Toad and Arlinda take Maggie, her parents, and her little brother Henry under their wing teaching them about gardening, wild plants, pig latin, and spoonerisms. Both jargons are explained in the book, and for the most part, decoding the words isn't difficult; struggling readers may get distracted. One day Maggie comes home to find it ransacked and her entire family missing. She makes it her mission to find them. The unique and interesting cast of multidimensional primary and secondary characters are the narrative's strength. The portrayal of the government and corporations is not flattering, and at times the political message overwhelms the plot. However, this was an enjoyable read and Maggie is a strong, brave, adventurous, and resourceful role model for younger readers. Amy Commers, South St. Paul Public Library, MN

ALA Booklist

Maggie, aka Ford Falcon, has lived OutBubble most of her life, scrounging up a living in the old trash heap she calls home. Her family, along with a few others, chose not to move to the government-run Bubble Cities, designed to protect citizens from the wild weather and failing crops ravishing the globe decision that also bars them from access to the cities' disease-curing supercorn: A-Maize. While Maggie's rustic existence is challenging, the biggest threat facing her are the roving packs of zombielike GreyDevils, who will maim or kill any in their path. One day Maggie's parents go missing, leaving her to plan their rescue and face hard truths about why they really escaped living in the Bubble Cities. Perry's latest proves an odd mix of survivalist, zombie, and dystopian fiction that only occasionally pulls together. Carried by quirky characters and bursts of intrigue, its slow-moving plot will appeal most to readers interested in wilderness survival skills. Narrative developments are introduced late, resulting in an imaginative story with a somewhat unsatisfying conclusion.