The annual lock-in night at the Central International School is an event of legend. The secret party, the activities, new relationships are all anticipated throughout the year. The lock-in is a time when you can become a new person, change your outlook, forge new bonds that you will carry with you the rest of your life.
Being locked in for a night is different than just being locked in. And that is what Marisa does - she chains herself to the door (with other helpers doing the same at all exits). She wants her demands met before she will unlock herself. The demands are all intended to help the environment, but the most important one to her is stopping the construction of a resort on a nearby island that will destroy the coral reef.
If this were any other school, it is possible nothing would change. But the students are children of ambassadors, diplomats, international business executives, missionaries and politicians. People with power or know the right people.
What we have are an interesting group of students - some join Marisa's cause right away; Some just want their lock-in activities to happen; others just want out and will do what is necessary to stop Marisa.
Though a school setting is familiar to books I read, the idea of students trapped in school is different. Particularly, when they are not trapped for some sinister reason. This story lets the students develop and show their reactions in a high stress setting. They are all not selfless. They have their own motivations and interests that hold them back. They doubt, they scheme, they withdrawal, they disagree.
I enjoyed meeting this diverse group of teens, and I hope you do, too.
For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.
No comments:
Post a Comment