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After the Bomb #1
After the Bomb
Everything safe and familiar was gone....
In a world shatteringly altered by a nuclear bomb, Philip Singer finds himself in the unlikely role of leader for his family. His father, away from home during the blast, may be dead. Philip's mother, usually competent and crisp, is desperately injured and needs immediate medical help. His brother Matt, whose charm and intelligence have always overshadowed Philip's own awkwardness, is sick and weak. And Matt's girl friend Cara, whom Philip secretly adores, is terrified.
If any of them are to live through the next few hours, Philip has to take charge. He must find them food, and water, and first aid in a contaminated, burning city. And Philip has to face what no human being ever faced before-life, after the bomb.
In a world shatteringly altered by a nuclear bomb, Philip Singer finds himself in the unlikely role of leader for his family. His father, away from home during the blast, may be dead. Philip's mother, usually competent and crisp, is desperately injured and needs immediate medical help. His brother Matt, whose charm and intelligence have always overshadowed Philip's own awkwardness, is sick and weak. And Matt's girl friend Cara, whom Philip secretly adores, is terrified.
If any of them are to live through the next few hours, Philip has to take charge. He must find them food, and water, and first aid in a contaminated, burning city. And Philip has to face what no human being ever faced before-life, after the bomb.
156 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1985
5 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
Gloria D. Miklowitz
61 books16 followersWith a relentless concern about contemporary issues and problems that affect teenagers, Gloria D. Miklowitz (USA, b. 1927) examined such topics as rape, suicide, teen marriage, divorce, AIDS, sexual abuse, and racial prejudice in her novels. She helped teen readers look at underground militias, vigilantism, religious cults, steroid use among high school athletes, and the effects of nuclear war. She enabled readers to view the famous battle of Masada from both sides. She also wrote nonfiction on a variety of subjects, from earthquakes and raccoons to President Harry Truman, civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., and tennis star Tracy Austin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 16, 2018
The climax of this book hinges on making sure your garden hose is the right length.
August 8, 2015
This book wasn't bad, but I think it's actually part of a series in which the other books WERE NOT WRITTEN!
Which means I don't get to find out what happened to everyone which is very upsetting. Basically Phillip feels out of place in his family until The Big One hits. A bomb strikes Los Angeles and he uses all the traits people don't understand in his family to save them.
This boy is tireless and amazing. His bother is sick, his mother is wounded, father is missing, the girl he loves who loves his brother is falling apart and he just keeps going trying to get things done.
Unfortunately I will never know what happened because there's no more books in this series! Or are they, and Goodreads just isn't aware of them for some reason?
I don't think I'm creative enough about nuclear bombs to make up an ending and it doesn't help that I'm still terrified of the Big One happening.
Edit-Good news! There is a sequel and I can buy it on Kindle! So I will give it an extra star because I CAN find out what happened to these characters I was engaged in.
Which means I don't get to find out what happened to everyone which is very upsetting. Basically Phillip feels out of place in his family until The Big One hits. A bomb strikes Los Angeles and he uses all the traits people don't understand in his family to save them.
This boy is tireless and amazing. His bother is sick, his mother is wounded, father is missing, the girl he loves who loves his brother is falling apart and he just keeps going trying to get things done.
Unfortunately I will never know what happened because there's no more books in this series! Or are they, and Goodreads just isn't aware of them for some reason?
I don't think I'm creative enough about nuclear bombs to make up an ending and it doesn't help that I'm still terrified of the Big One happening.
Edit-Good news! There is a sequel and I can buy it on Kindle! So I will give it an extra star because I CAN find out what happened to these characters I was engaged in.
April 27, 2014
quick read and at a 4th grade level but still pretty decent..
April 2, 2009
One of my favorite books as a teenager. I was obsessed with nuclear war.
They actually walk down my street in the book.
They actually walk down my street in the book.
October 7, 2013
By: Elliot.Garcia Auther: Gloria D. Miklowitz
This book is an audience grabbing novel; it has all the potential to make you want to hop out your chair violently. So this horrifying book is about a nuclear accident going off in the suburbs of Los Angeles and a boy named Phillip is viscously trying to locate his family after this great significant nuclear bombing.
Now if you’re a really big fan of survival/disaster books like zombie apocalypses and other interesting book similar to that, you will be very hooked on this book. So after this nuclear bomb goes of just about everything get hectic, Phillips mother is burnt and Phillip alone has to take her to the hospital once he gets there he helps saves some people’s lives. His brother shows up after he has taken his mom to a burnt facility and goes looking for his father. Now the book in the begging is not an attention grabber but once you get to the bombing and after I garneted you won’t put the book down, you will not stop reading.
The best part of the book is when the nurse says that Phillips moms turn was already up in the waiting room of the hospital and call for the next patient. This is the most dramatic scene in the book; Phillip cries and tells the nurse please she needs help. The doctor asks Phillip is this your mother son Phillip answers yes the doctor tell the nurse don’t hold us up give her the shot. That was just a breaking point in the book for me, it was a little teary but I broke through I didn’t cry. The flaw about this book is it end in mid-action
This book is an audience grabbing novel; it has all the potential to make you want to hop out your chair violently. So this horrifying book is about a nuclear accident going off in the suburbs of Los Angeles and a boy named Phillip is viscously trying to locate his family after this great significant nuclear bombing.
Now if you’re a really big fan of survival/disaster books like zombie apocalypses and other interesting book similar to that, you will be very hooked on this book. So after this nuclear bomb goes of just about everything get hectic, Phillips mother is burnt and Phillip alone has to take her to the hospital once he gets there he helps saves some people’s lives. His brother shows up after he has taken his mom to a burnt facility and goes looking for his father. Now the book in the begging is not an attention grabber but once you get to the bombing and after I garneted you won’t put the book down, you will not stop reading.
The best part of the book is when the nurse says that Phillips moms turn was already up in the waiting room of the hospital and call for the next patient. This is the most dramatic scene in the book; Phillip cries and tells the nurse please she needs help. The doctor asks Phillip is this your mother son Phillip answers yes the doctor tell the nurse don’t hold us up give her the shot. That was just a breaking point in the book for me, it was a little teary but I broke through I didn’t cry. The flaw about this book is it end in mid-action
January 15, 2019
One of the book I read was "After the bomb" by Gloria D. Miklowitz. The book is about a normal family who live in a place that gets hit with a nuclear bomb. I really enjoyed reading this book and thought that this story had a great story line.
There are many reasons why I think this book has a great story line. One of the reasons is the way the story starts off. I like to read stories that start with a normal family and this book is one of them. The normal family that the book starts off with is the main character's family. This family includes the main character Philip, his brother Matt, and their parents. When a book starts off with a normal family is allows readers to understand the setting better which I think is good. Another reason why I think this book has a great story line is that the book develops how the parents think of the main character. The parents in the book does not think the main character is responsible. This little detail will contribute greatly to the story line later in the book. The way the the book adds family parts with the parents not thinking the main character is responsible makes the story line very interesting to see what will happen in the future. There are many parts of this book like the main character's family's view of him and starting with a normal family which is why I think that this book has a great story line.
I think that the book "After the bomb" had a great story line for many reasons. These reasons included having a normal family and the character development that is shown in the story. I think that the book has a great story line and I enjoyed reading it for many reasons.
There are many reasons why I think this book has a great story line. One of the reasons is the way the story starts off. I like to read stories that start with a normal family and this book is one of them. The normal family that the book starts off with is the main character's family. This family includes the main character Philip, his brother Matt, and their parents. When a book starts off with a normal family is allows readers to understand the setting better which I think is good. Another reason why I think this book has a great story line is that the book develops how the parents think of the main character. The parents in the book does not think the main character is responsible. This little detail will contribute greatly to the story line later in the book. The way the the book adds family parts with the parents not thinking the main character is responsible makes the story line very interesting to see what will happen in the future. There are many parts of this book like the main character's family's view of him and starting with a normal family which is why I think that this book has a great story line.
I think that the book "After the bomb" had a great story line for many reasons. These reasons included having a normal family and the character development that is shown in the story. I think that the book has a great story line and I enjoyed reading it for many reasons.
August 5, 2022
Wacky young adult novel about an atomic holocaust (it's a Scholastic novel!).
Starts off like your typical teen romance, then Russia launches an atomic bomb at Los Angeles (how and why isn't explained, and I don't want to spoil it, but it's weird that it's just a 1 megaton bomb).
Anyway, your typical suburban kid has to save his mom and brother and brother's pseudo-girlfriend (is she or isn's she? Drama!) after the bomb hits, when he'd rather just strum a guitar.
Miklowitz did a fair amount of research for this, so it's all more or less plausible, except there's no way Russia would have launched/dropped just one super-small bomb at that time (the 70s, though the kids live like it's the 50s --the kids play records, not cassette tapes, etc.) so it's kind of idiotically optimistic for how such an event really would have gone down.
It's a teen novel, so the pages fly by and something's always going on, and it's fairly interesting. A lot of it is based on Hiroshima by John Hershey, probably THE book on the aftermath of an atomic bomb (a memoir written by a journalist who was actually there) so at least she's stealing/borrowing/researching from the best available material.
I think this was either 50 cents or a dollar at a used book store; otherwise I don't know that I would have read it. It's definitely an interesting relic of that era--we definitely lived under the shadow of mushroom clouds in the 70s and 80s. An interesting, short read.
Starts off like your typical teen romance, then Russia launches an atomic bomb at Los Angeles (how and why isn't explained, and I don't want to spoil it, but it's weird that it's just a 1 megaton bomb).
Anyway, your typical suburban kid has to save his mom and brother and brother's pseudo-girlfriend (is she or isn's she? Drama!) after the bomb hits, when he'd rather just strum a guitar.
Miklowitz did a fair amount of research for this, so it's all more or less plausible, except there's no way Russia would have launched/dropped just one super-small bomb at that time (the 70s, though the kids live like it's the 50s --the kids play records, not cassette tapes, etc.) so it's kind of idiotically optimistic for how such an event really would have gone down.
It's a teen novel, so the pages fly by and something's always going on, and it's fairly interesting. A lot of it is based on Hiroshima by John Hershey, probably THE book on the aftermath of an atomic bomb (a memoir written by a journalist who was actually there) so at least she's stealing/borrowing/researching from the best available material.
I think this was either 50 cents or a dollar at a used book store; otherwise I don't know that I would have read it. It's definitely an interesting relic of that era--we definitely lived under the shadow of mushroom clouds in the 70s and 80s. An interesting, short read.
January 20, 2021
After the Bomb by Gloria D. Mikowitz is a perfect example of how a book is able to bring out emotions within you. If you want a suspenseful book that will bring out the excitement within you at the same time, I suggest this book. This book is also a master of fitting a big plot into a small read, so I also recommend this book for anyone looking for a story that’s not too long. I am rating this book a 9.5 out of 10.
October 15, 2020
Onvan : After the Bomb - Nevisande : Gloria D. Miklowitz - ISBN : 0590434837 - ISBN13 : 9780590434836 - Dar 156 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 1985
April 6, 2014
I got this book secondhand and am very glad I discovered it. There's really nothing original about the premise (an atomic bomb is launched by accident and we follow a group of survivors) but it's evident that the author is well versed in young adult issues and thoughts. The protagonist is Philip, a teenager who is always in second place after his older brother. Philip is the only hope of his family and has to confront his fears in order to save his mother. The story never veers far from credibility and stays close to what a boy in those circumstances may experience. While the psychological insight is not very deep, I found comforting to see an author who really understands what it feels to be a teenager who struggles to find the strength to go on and accept his own virtues and shortcomings.
It's hard to classify this novel, it's not really a thriller or a piece of suspense. Not a drama or science fiction story either. It's been said that the discussion against nuclear weapons is oversimplified, but that's not really the focus of the book, it's barely mentioned.
In the end I am glad I read this book, it's actually the first of two parts, but I am unable to get the sequel.
It's hard to classify this novel, it's not really a thriller or a piece of suspense. Not a drama or science fiction story either. It's been said that the discussion against nuclear weapons is oversimplified, but that's not really the focus of the book, it's barely mentioned.
In the end I am glad I read this book, it's actually the first of two parts, but I am unable to get the sequel.
March 25, 2016
A good effort by Miklowitz to illustrate what the world could look like after a nuclear bombing.
The young boy Phillip goes through quite a transformation of character in a short period of time. He starts out being the misunderstood and under appreciated by his family before the bomb drops. After it falls, he turns out to be their only hope.
As other reviewers have stated, you can tell this was meant to be part of a series that was never written. We don't get all the answers by the end of the book, but I think that's okay in its own way.
The biggest surprise to me is that the book is marked Scholastic 1985, meaning this book was sold at book fairs in schools in the 80's. I doubt severely that Scholastic would print anything with these themes today, especially for school children. As much as this book's text tells a story, the fact that it exists at all tells a different story: the story of how different our world today is from 30 years ago.
The young boy Phillip goes through quite a transformation of character in a short period of time. He starts out being the misunderstood and under appreciated by his family before the bomb drops. After it falls, he turns out to be their only hope.
As other reviewers have stated, you can tell this was meant to be part of a series that was never written. We don't get all the answers by the end of the book, but I think that's okay in its own way.
The biggest surprise to me is that the book is marked Scholastic 1985, meaning this book was sold at book fairs in schools in the 80's. I doubt severely that Scholastic would print anything with these themes today, especially for school children. As much as this book's text tells a story, the fact that it exists at all tells a different story: the story of how different our world today is from 30 years ago.
January 3, 2008
I am sure I am supposed to be able to write something insiteful about this book, but all I can say is that it was a rather interesting take on one boys life right before and right after a nuclear bomb explodes over los angeles.
It was a little funny to read because you can definitely tell that it was written during a different time. I mean how many people call thier brother a "turkey" instead of an "ass" or something like that.
Over all a good quick read.
It was a little funny to read because you can definitely tell that it was written during a different time. I mean how many people call thier brother a "turkey" instead of an "ass" or something like that.
Over all a good quick read.
April 19, 2010
Story about the fight betwen two brothers over a girl that relates to the actions of the US v. USSR during the cold war.
What will it be like to survive a Nuclear blast and the steps that are needed to survive.
Much like "Alas Babylon" and "Z is for Zechariah!" will Weaver book about Volcanie Ash covering state of Minnesota.
What will it be like to survive a Nuclear blast and the steps that are needed to survive.
Much like "Alas Babylon" and "Z is for Zechariah!" will Weaver book about Volcanie Ash covering state of Minnesota.
October 6, 2007
Oh wow! Seeing these reviews totally takes me back to the 6th or 7th grade. This is one of my favorite assigned books ever, along with TKAMockingbird and 1984. I think this very book may be why I really enjoy apocalypse/plague/zombie fiction to this day.
October 16, 2008
One of the few books that actually freaked me out! A great summertime read for the younger crowd or a weekend read for us older folks. Lends thought to what a young person might experience after a nuclear bomb.
February 21, 2013
After getting the book and realizing that it's really a kids book, there are some details that are not exactly appropriate for kids. Occasionally the book uses really simplistic terms to argue the case against nuclear power. As a dystopian novel, it is not near the top of my favorite books.
September 26, 2014
Written back in the 1980s. This book brings back memories of how people were working toward getting rid of nuclear weapons.
That hasn't happened...they still exist. The book, though, is a good argument for getting rid of them.
That hasn't happened...they still exist. The book, though, is a good argument for getting rid of them.
October 9, 2008
This book scared the crap out of me when I read it in 7th grade.
November 14, 2008
Post-nuclear accident in suburgan Los Angeles. Outdated, but with some relevant stuff.
We have it in the SCCS library if you're intersted.
We have it in the SCCS library if you're intersted.
July 31, 2009
Almost believable.
January 17, 2011
Oldie (and shows it's age) but good disaster/survival story!
March 18, 2011
Enjoyable, but ended mid-action.
September 25, 2012
Had to re-read this book since I hadnt read it since middle school. Pretty good survival book
July 31, 2018
Not bad but pretty intense for younger readers. I assume the target audience is around 10 years old (that's how old I was when I first tried reading this book). By "intense," I mean there are pretty graphic descriptions of terrible things that can happen as a result of a nuclear bomb. I tried reading this with my 6-year-old boy. Needless to say, I ended up reading the last 3/4 of the book silently to myself. I thought it was weird how about half-way through we learn that Phillip and Matt would sometimes wonder about the existence of God. Then by the end, after having overcome all odds, Phillip decides there is a God. I mean, that would have been good except it felt very tacked-on. Like half-way through the author decided there needed to be more substance so she added this little snippet. It probably would have been more poignant if Phillip had decided to start praying due to the dire circumstances throughout the book. Either way, I will probably read the sequel.
June 9, 2022
This book was horrifying.
You can tell it was written for pre-adolescents. The main character is supposed to be 16 but feels younger. However, it still works. I liked how Phil discovers that his weakness in ordinary life (pure unrelenting stubbornness, to the point of being perverse) can be a strength in such an awful, bleak situation.
The author doesn't get into the background political situation. Everyone reading would have been aware of what was going on. But some of her ideas come across as kind of naïve. It would scare the bejeebus out of any kid who read this, though.
She's pretty uncompromising in depicting what might happen. The main character's mother is horribly burned when their gas line explodes and he spends the whole book trying to get her to help. There's looting, dead bodies everywhere, eyes gone, skin hanging in tatters, rape mentioned, triage leading to people being left in a hallway to die alone. It's pretty horrible.
Thoroughly depressing Ms. Miklowitz, thanks.
You can tell it was written for pre-adolescents. The main character is supposed to be 16 but feels younger. However, it still works. I liked how Phil discovers that his weakness in ordinary life (pure unrelenting stubbornness, to the point of being perverse) can be a strength in such an awful, bleak situation.
The author doesn't get into the background political situation. Everyone reading would have been aware of what was going on. But some of her ideas come across as kind of naïve. It would scare the bejeebus out of any kid who read this, though.
She's pretty uncompromising in depicting what might happen. The main character's mother is horribly burned when their gas line explodes and he spends the whole book trying to get her to help. There's looting, dead bodies everywhere, eyes gone, skin hanging in tatters, rape mentioned, triage leading to people being left in a hallway to die alone. It's pretty horrible.
Thoroughly depressing Ms. Miklowitz, thanks.
May 15, 2017
Great book! I remembered reading this as a kid decades ago, and it intrigued me as much now as then. While written in the 1980's, this book still holds up well over time, as a nuclear accident is still as possible as then. Phillip, his brother, Matt, and his girlfriend, Cara, have to learn how to survive and help their mother after an accidental nuclear bomb exploded in Los Angeles. Fascinating story of courage, necessity, and hope.
November 10, 2018
In 7th grade this book scared the bejeezus out of me. Honestly, I was a tad nervous to reread it and had been putting it off, but it was worth it... and yes, I can see how my junior high self would be terrified. Even though this is a young adult book it paints a very real picture of what could happen after a nuclear bomb. The author doesn’t sugar coat the details. I’m happy I found a copy of this book from my childhood and had the guts to reread it.
July 1, 2022
This should be 2 stars, but I have placed myself back in 1985 as a teenager, and am rating it as such. A one megaton bomb has accidently be launched from Russia and it explodes over Los Angeles. I'm not sure if all her bomb facts are accurate, but this book could cause kids to march for "Banning the Bomb."
November 30, 2017
While parts of the writing were cheesy I actually really enjoyed this story. It was downright disturbing and reminded me of a 70s disaster movie (though it was written in the 80s). I was very happy to learn that a sequel had been written too. We'll see how that goes. :P
July 28, 2018
I went into this book with pretty low expectations. I bought it ages ago and never got around to reading. I was actually surprised that it was pretty enjoyable. Yes, somethings were dated but it was still pretty dramatic and a quick read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews