The Daybreak Bond

Gr 4–6—The Firefly Five are back and on an adventure of a lifetime. This sequel begins with Ilana, Julia, Benji, Theo, and narrator Mori as they leave their utopian town of Old Harmonie to seek out Dr. Agatha Varden, one of the town's founders. The Five believe Dr. Varden can help them understand their world in ways that have been shielded from them in their protected bubble. As they venture beyond the safety of the town limits, they encounter evidence that the pristine Old Harmonie is built upon the suffering of others. The Five soon meet some of these less fortunate others: a ragtag group of kids stricken by poverty and health issues. But what they lack in privilege, they make up for in bravery as they join the team to find answers. Readers with a passion for environmentalism and economic equality will be enthralled by this title that explores the impact of a world whose unrestrained consumption has harsh effects on others. As with its predecessor, the dialogue-heavy exposition sometimes comes at the cost of sustaining suspense, but many readers will enjoy the casual conversations among the loyal friends.