The Buried

Gr 9 Up–After the Cataclysm, three families think they’re the only ones left alive on Earth. They live in an underground bunker with Dr. Moran. As the doctor becomes more controlling and erratic, Sash, Yuna, and Gabe start to question what the doctor is really up to and the real reason they are down in the bunker. Wanting to find the truth, the group heads out into the world beyond. What really happened to Earth? What is Dr. Moran really up to? Gabra Zackman is pleasant to listen to and makes the diverse cast of characters’ points of view simple to distinguish among. The author’s and narrator’s styles complement each other and draw listeners into the story, though the slow narrative pace may turn off some. In this horror-filled adventure, the world-building is slow to unfold, but it is both grim and intriguing. Fans of famous dystopian classics will connect with the Easter eggs and appreciate the depth they add to the narrative. Sash is Russian American, Yuna is Korean American, and Gabe is Latinx.