Strange Tomorrow

by Jean E. Karl

After an alien power wipes out most of life on Earth, a small band of humans must struggle to survive.

Genres: Science Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Young Adult, Post Apocalyptic

135 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1985

About the author

Jean Edna Karl was an American book editor and writer who specialized in children's and science fiction titles. She founded and led the children's division and young adult and science fiction imprints at Atheneum Books.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts off real strong as a horrifying YA dystopian sci fi that unfortunately tapers off to. A smart young protagonist who is left with her brother and father but ends up having to take care of them both are some of the only people left in the world. The story never explains why nor do we understand how other people survived. Too many holes to make it feel satisfying and the second part feels completely different than the first much better section, leaving me to feeling disappointed.

[Laurla2]

a book i remembered enjoying reading as a child that i managed to track down and reread.

the first half of the book is about a girl who has to go with her father and brother to restock an underground unmanned military base. they get stuck there during a massive blizzard, and the outside world gets destroyed by aliens.

the second half of the book is about one of the girls descendants, and how they're spreading out and replanting the world.

i enjoyed the first half and wished there was more there.

[Gillian Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quiet post-apocalyptic story. No battles, no resistance, just humans trying to figure out life in the wake of alien attack.

Read this in middle school, and it took me many years to once again find it. Glad I finally did.

[Blake Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

For entertainment purposes I found myself wanting more story-line for the first half of the book than we were given. However, I think the second half of the book does a good job illustrating the importance and need of hard work while demonstrating that life is about balance. A good read for young readers!

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story from the 70’s about two teenagers who learn to survive after an alien attack and how even if you’re forced to work you need to always remember that you’re human and need to have fun in life as well.

[Partridge Public]

Karl, Jean E.

[Lisa]

Strange Tomorrow by Jean E. Karl (1985)

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story. I read it when I was in Elementary school, and I just re-read it again. It would be cool to read an expanded version of this story; this one is just bar-bones. Very short!