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Surviving Minimized
Zert Cage accepts a dare. The 13-year-old sneaks out of his house to engage in a Trash War with his friends. Nothing out of the ordinary about that. Except that it’s 2083, and the world is falling apart. The Nuclear Mistake has left the oceans dead and brown, and grime and pollution are the way of life for anyone not wealthy enough to live in the Up Cities, which float high above the surface of the earth. Those left behind in the Low Cities wear gas masks when they go outside to avoid the Superpox, a highly infectious and deadly disease with a vaccine that few can afford.When the Trash War goes all wrong—Zert encounters Superpox and also has a brush with the law—he must do something drastic to secure a vaccine and avoid a long stint in Teen Jail.Zert and his father get wind of a top secret project to save people from both the disease and the wasteland that the earth has become and agree to allow themselves to be shrunk to the size of their thumbs and transported to an as-yet-undisturbed national park.With signs of infection appearing on Zert’s arm, they act quickly, and overnight, they become outsiders in a community of minimized people who are trying to thrive in the wild using insects as food.Roach stew? Cricket farming? Predators bigger than he is? Zert must find a way to fit in with this new world if he’s going to survive. Surviving Minimized is a thrill-ride of a young adult novel that will make you both laugh and think. This is the story of a flawed, but good-hearted kid who wants to do the right thing when everything around him has gone wrong.
266 pages, Paperback
First published October 30, 2018
27 people are currently reading
2152 people want to read
About the author
Andrea White
6 books35 followersSince 2006, Andrea as published four books written for middle school readers. Surviving Antarctica was selected for the Bluebonnet list and a handful of other state lists, and the Texas State Reading Association awarded it the Golden Spur award for the best book by a Texas author. In 2012, Windows on the World won the Spirit of Texas award for middle school fiction.
For four years Andrea worked full-time at the Houston Chronicle, the daily for the fourth largest city in the country. One of her editorials was featured in a package that ranked as finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in Public Service in 2017.
She lives in Houston, TX with her husband, former Mayor Bill White.
For four years Andrea worked full-time at the Houston Chronicle, the daily for the fourth largest city in the country. One of her editorials was featured in a package that ranked as finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in Public Service in 2017.
She lives in Houston, TX with her husband, former Mayor Bill White.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 2, 2018
This dystopian book about 2083 and a colony of miniature people is a wonderful lesson in bravery and resolution. Zert, our 13-year-old hero starts out as regular size (a Big) and lives alone with his father. Their surroundings are deteriorating and when Zert gets arrested and exposed to superpox in the same night, his father searches for a way to keep them together. They find out about the Rosie Project and use their savings to pay for the expenses to minimize and transport themselves to Rocky Mountain National Park. When they arrive they are the size of a thumb. Imagine exploring the park and surviving under those circumstances. They are given the opportunity to join a colony on a temporary basis, but have to earn the acceptance of the other residents. Zert is not happy about all of the challenges of their new home and misses all the gadgets from his old life as well as his pets. The other kids have lived in the colony their whole lives and find it difficult to connect with him. The descriptions of their experiences in nature and the adaptations that the colony has made are fascinating and so creative. Worm dogs on acorn buns are a staple and at one point, Zert is delighted to receive a parsley marshmallow as a treat from a neighbor. They use a padded soup can as a toy on their playground and a turtle shell for a hot tub. I hope more people will discover this book. It is so worth reading!
A big thank you to Greenleaf Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. After I read a description I knew I had to read it!
A big thank you to Greenleaf Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. After I read a description I knew I had to read it!
February 13, 2019
The year is 2083 and 13 year old Zert Cage is living in the Low Cities, which is the name for the ground level dwellings where we 2019 folks are used to living. He and his friend just participated in a Trash War and could be facing twenty years in Teen Jail. Zert is also un-vaccinated against Superpox and may have been exposed. The vaccine is ridiculously expensive and something that only the wealthy who live in the Up Cities can now afford. Zert's uncle Marin just might hold the answer to both of these problems - Project Rosie. This secret project minimizes people to the size of a thumb and they live in Rocky Mountain National Park to develop a civilization free from the fallout from The Nuclear Mistake.
This book is a coming-of-age story that hits on the environment, loss, acceptance, and trying to find your place within your community. Zert and his father are granted a temporary spot within a settlement called Paradise, but they quickly find it isn't quite the paradise they had expected. It is interesting to see how the minimized people are living and acclimating to a familiar world that now forces them to interact with some pretty normal things in a completely different way. I am a little bothered at how quickly The Cages can easily just eat bugs like they aren't used to good food, but I've also never had to eat bugs...thank the gods.
The books is one self-contained story but there is easily room to delve further in the minimized world and see what Zert is up to, or even if there are differences among the various settlements. If there is a future book, I would like a bit more information on what happened between our current year and 2083 that lead to Zert's world of Up Cities and Low Cities, hybrid animals, Superpox, and Trash Wars. Also, why does all the clothing in Paradise have tons of pockets?! The people are already quite small, so I don't know what they would possibly be carrying around in there. Can the "Bigs" (that's those of us at normal size) who are running Project Rosie maybe find a way to shrink or drop some normal food for the minimized people to eat? Inquiring minds want to know!!!
I see this appealing to middle grade or young adults, particularly boys, maybe more specifically Boy Scouts or avid outdoorsy kids, but is just as entertaining to adults. I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway, but it doesn't influence my opinion of the book.
This book is a coming-of-age story that hits on the environment, loss, acceptance, and trying to find your place within your community. Zert and his father are granted a temporary spot within a settlement called Paradise, but they quickly find it isn't quite the paradise they had expected. It is interesting to see how the minimized people are living and acclimating to a familiar world that now forces them to interact with some pretty normal things in a completely different way. I am a little bothered at how quickly The Cages can easily just eat bugs like they aren't used to good food, but I've also never had to eat bugs...thank the gods.
The books is one self-contained story but there is easily room to delve further in the minimized world and see what Zert is up to, or even if there are differences among the various settlements. If there is a future book, I would like a bit more information on what happened between our current year and 2083 that lead to Zert's world of Up Cities and Low Cities, hybrid animals, Superpox, and Trash Wars. Also, why does all the clothing in Paradise have tons of pockets?! The people are already quite small, so I don't know what they would possibly be carrying around in there. Can the "Bigs" (that's those of us at normal size) who are running Project Rosie maybe find a way to shrink or drop some normal food for the minimized people to eat? Inquiring minds want to know!!!
I see this appealing to middle grade or young adults, particularly boys, maybe more specifically Boy Scouts or avid outdoorsy kids, but is just as entertaining to adults. I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway, but it doesn't influence my opinion of the book.
June 23, 2019
Zert is a boy who lives with his dad in a plague ridden future Washington D.C. A boyish prank gets him into serious trouble with the law, which may cost him his life in the violent and disease ridden criminal justice system.
His uncle offers them a way out, a secret scientific project wherein they will be shrunk to the size of a human thumb, then transported to a wilderness colony of other wilderness mini-survivors in a make it or did experiment.
Zert is a city kid. He is so not on board with this.
His attitude may get him and his father kicked out of the colony, especially after he pisses off the leader of the colony, and accidentally threatens his daughter with a knife.
If I were a middle schooler I would love this book. As an adult I found it primarily interesting, if weak in spots. On the whole, not bad.
The author said she sat on the finished manuscript for years before publishing it. That was a shame. "Surviving Minimized" deserved to be read by a lot of kids who missed out on it.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review on Goodreads.
His uncle offers them a way out, a secret scientific project wherein they will be shrunk to the size of a human thumb, then transported to a wilderness colony of other wilderness mini-survivors in a make it or did experiment.
Zert is a city kid. He is so not on board with this.
His attitude may get him and his father kicked out of the colony, especially after he pisses off the leader of the colony, and accidentally threatens his daughter with a knife.
If I were a middle schooler I would love this book. As an adult I found it primarily interesting, if weak in spots. On the whole, not bad.
The author said she sat on the finished manuscript for years before publishing it. That was a shame. "Surviving Minimized" deserved to be read by a lot of kids who missed out on it.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review on Goodreads.
November 16, 2018
(Received as Goodreads giveaway)
This book mixed it all: apocalyptic future, coming-of-age story, pioneering in a brave new miniature world. My initial attraction when reading the blurb was the idea of tiny people navigating the real world, and that was the entertaining portion for me. The author did not make it pretty, showing the real dangers faced by humans to whom an ant was the size of a large dog! She also dwelt a lot on the use of insects as a future source of protein, an issue already on the table.
The introductory portion of the book, a vision of Washington DC post apocalypse, didn't hold my attention as well. It was, after all, just setting the stage for the miniaturization of the main character & his father. The beginning scenes weren't as developed though it did give me time to be thoroughly annoyed by the teenager & the adult!
While the coming-of-age portion of the tale was certainly on-point, there was room for more character development. Much of this section was also dealing with exploration of the culture of the minimized folks..
Part of my issue may have been in not realizing this was geared for young adults. As my children are now in their 30s, I may no longer be a good judge of what will appeal to kids. I do want to note that there was no graphic violence, no swearing, no sex, which will be a recommendation to some parents. However, I think the story itself was choppy and not well-connected, either. There was a good book in the bones, and the writing certainly flowed; I just wanted more than pieces of other book concepts decorated with the author's imagination.
This book mixed it all: apocalyptic future, coming-of-age story, pioneering in a brave new miniature world. My initial attraction when reading the blurb was the idea of tiny people navigating the real world, and that was the entertaining portion for me. The author did not make it pretty, showing the real dangers faced by humans to whom an ant was the size of a large dog! She also dwelt a lot on the use of insects as a future source of protein, an issue already on the table.
The introductory portion of the book, a vision of Washington DC post apocalypse, didn't hold my attention as well. It was, after all, just setting the stage for the miniaturization of the main character & his father. The beginning scenes weren't as developed though it did give me time to be thoroughly annoyed by the teenager & the adult!
While the coming-of-age portion of the tale was certainly on-point, there was room for more character development. Much of this section was also dealing with exploration of the culture of the minimized folks..
Part of my issue may have been in not realizing this was geared for young adults. As my children are now in their 30s, I may no longer be a good judge of what will appeal to kids. I do want to note that there was no graphic violence, no swearing, no sex, which will be a recommendation to some parents. However, I think the story itself was choppy and not well-connected, either. There was a good book in the bones, and the writing certainly flowed; I just wanted more than pieces of other book concepts decorated with the author's imagination.
January 21, 2019
Shrink yourself and find a new life
A fast moving story about a teenager who is facing twenty years in jail. In order to save him, his father agrees to move to an experimental city where the people are all shrunk to thumb size and have to live like the early pioneers. As the young boy learns to adapt to a much different culture he learns about himself, relationships and protecting the natural environment. I recommend this book to people who enjoy science fiction. I received this book from Goodreads for free.
A fast moving story about a teenager who is facing twenty years in jail. In order to save him, his father agrees to move to an experimental city where the people are all shrunk to thumb size and have to live like the early pioneers. As the young boy learns to adapt to a much different culture he learns about himself, relationships and protecting the natural environment. I recommend this book to people who enjoy science fiction. I received this book from Goodreads for free.
January 8, 2019
I don't read much YA, but this book was a refreshing take on the dystopian teen genre. I think I would have enjoyed the world created by Andrea White as a young pre-teen, and I definitely would have liked to know what happened to Zert and the other 'Rosies.' Good balance between entertaining story and social commentary for young readers.
November 1, 2023
Size isn't important after all.
Set in the far future in Washington D.C. after a nuclear war, we have a surviving humanity who have continued to progress with technology. Zert Cage has been a bit naughty and to escape his crime/punishment he becomes "minimized" to thumb-size and joins a community of weeny folk (called Rosies).
This is a YA novel, but an enjoyable book for any age really. The characters were interesting enough, as was the plot, but the star of the show is the world building. Imagine how the world would be if you were only 2 or 3 inches tall! A bottle of beer and a single sausage would keep you fed and sozzled for months!
If you're after a bit of entertainment that doesn't flex the neural fluids to hard, then this is for you.
Set in the far future in Washington D.C. after a nuclear war, we have a surviving humanity who have continued to progress with technology. Zert Cage has been a bit naughty and to escape his crime/punishment he becomes "minimized" to thumb-size and joins a community of weeny folk (called Rosies).
This is a YA novel, but an enjoyable book for any age really. The characters were interesting enough, as was the plot, but the star of the show is the world building. Imagine how the world would be if you were only 2 or 3 inches tall! A bottle of beer and a single sausage would keep you fed and sozzled for months!
If you're after a bit of entertainment that doesn't flex the neural fluids to hard, then this is for you.
December 29, 2018
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of Surviving Minimized. I'm a middle school librarian and I can't wait for my students to read this book. It has everything that kids that age love - action, adventure, gross disease and survival in a new world. Zert (short for Bezert) lives in a future United States that has been ruined by pollution and nuclear war. A plague of small pox is wiping out the people that still live on earth and not in the higher levels populated by the wealthy. He has a miniature wolf and a mutant rat for pets and a friend who tends to get Zert in trouble. When their game goes too far and Zert is in danger of jail time, Zert's father makes the decision to participate in a Minimize program. The program is designed to shrink people to a smaller size and allow them to populate the remaining National Parks. Zert, of course, does not want to leave his old life and the memories of his mother behind, but its the only viable solution. What follows is an adventure involving bug farming, school held in an old plastic bottle and Zert's struggle to leave his old life behind and become part of a new society.
Andrea White crafts a wonderful tale of a teen-aged boy forced to leave all he holds dear and be the new, different kid, trying to fit in. It takes a while for him to settle in, and for his dad Jack too - especially after they find out their entry into the program wasn't all it seemed. Middle school children will enjoy this book - its funny, fun and exciting. I enjoyed it as well and appreciated the study guide and author interview at the end. This would be an excellent book for a group read or a book club.
Andrea White crafts a wonderful tale of a teen-aged boy forced to leave all he holds dear and be the new, different kid, trying to fit in. It takes a while for him to settle in, and for his dad Jack too - especially after they find out their entry into the program wasn't all it seemed. Middle school children will enjoy this book - its funny, fun and exciting. I enjoyed it as well and appreciated the study guide and author interview at the end. This would be an excellent book for a group read or a book club.
March 11, 2022
I very much enjoyed the concept of this book. I am always up for a post-apocalyptic world survival story and found this to be a new and different take on an idea where there has been so much oversaturation. In the beginning, I found myself wanting to know more about the world the characters were living in, but yet there were just mentions of plagues, nuclear destruction, and the devastation these things left. The society they live in had much destruction, but obvious technological advances. All these things that would have contributed to building a new world for the reader were skimmed over to get to the "major event." I very much wanted to go back to this beginning world and find out what happened and what things were truly like for these characters. It was hard to be excited or relieved for characters escaping hardships or fighting for a better life when there was not really a clear picture of the life they had endured in the first place.
After finishing though I did want to know what happens next and would certainly read more about how they survive. Thank you Greenleaf Book Group for a chance to read this book.
After finishing though I did want to know what happens next and would certainly read more about how they survive. Thank you Greenleaf Book Group for a chance to read this book.
January 7, 2019
This was a fun middle-grade tale of a somewhat dystopian near-future where the environment has taken a severe beating (the "Nuclear mistake") and deadly plagues run rampant. When 13-year-old Zert Cage gets in trouble with the law, his father takes the only opportunity he can think of and has the two of them "minimized," shrunk down to a tiny size and dropped into an experimental society in the as yet unspoiled Rocky Mountains. In that new world, Zert and his father are looked on as outsiders and have to work both physically and psychologically to gain acceptance. Short on survival skills, the two really, really need to become part of the community, but it's not easy, not for Zert and not for the young people who only know this new way of life. A very nice "what if" story, well-realized characters, and an exciting plot with clever ways of surviving as tiny people and a touch of intrigue. Lots of room for sequels.
October 30, 2018
I did not know what to expect when first reading this book. I thought it was your typical juvenile scenario where a 13 year old escapes from his house to have a "trash war" with his friends to later find out that this was more than just a game and he is a little too ambitious while playing that causes chaos for his town. We do not see many novels other than Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, 1984, Ready Player One amongst many others have a setting in the future. This novel took place in 2083 where all that we know about the future is blown out of proportion (literally). Now a simple 'child-like" game becomes life or death. Edge of your seat fun that will not make you quit reading.
Thank you Netgalley and River Grove Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. We will consider this title for the YFiction library collection. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
Thank you Netgalley and River Grove Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. We will consider this title for the YFiction library collection. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
January 22, 2019
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. I thoroughly enjoyed the vast majority of this story. While there isn't a lot of in-depth character development, the author certainly provides enough background to allow for investment in the outcomes of the community. My husband teaches middle school and I told him that I would definitely recommend it, especially to kids who are interested in insects and nature.
It is also considered to be a dystopian novel, but I found its strengths to be in the building of relationships and coming-of-age themes with the dystopian setting only providing a backdrop rather than being integral to the telling. All in all, it is a quick, easy, and entertaining read that is absolutely geared to the intended audience. I would read a sequel!
It is also considered to be a dystopian novel, but I found its strengths to be in the building of relationships and coming-of-age themes with the dystopian setting only providing a backdrop rather than being integral to the telling. All in all, it is a quick, easy, and entertaining read that is absolutely geared to the intended audience. I would read a sequel!
February 1, 2019
Kindle give away;
As others pointed out, the very beginning gave the impression that this Young-Adult novel was going to be more Young than Adult but this very quickly turned out not to be the case. I was impressed by the sociological insights and the believability of the characters. In re: the sociology, the brave new 'Rosie' world was unforgiving and unsentimental (much like Heinlein's *early* work, but without the self-congratulatory "I Got Mine" Libertairism of his later years) in that the wellbeing of the group took precedence. I look for to future books in the series.
As others pointed out, the very beginning gave the impression that this Young-Adult novel was going to be more Young than Adult but this very quickly turned out not to be the case. I was impressed by the sociological insights and the believability of the characters. In re: the sociology, the brave new 'Rosie' world was unforgiving and unsentimental (much like Heinlein's *early* work, but without the self-congratulatory "I Got Mine" Libertairism of his later years) in that the wellbeing of the group took precedence. I look for to future books in the series.
November 27, 2018
One of the best young adult Sci-Fi books I've read. Misfit youth, dystopian world, farfetched yet plausible science, miniaturization right out of Isaac Asimov, finding out you've got more courage than you ever knew. It's got everything. Solid storytelling, as well, it kept me riveted. Highly recommend,
November 15, 2018
My boys really loved this book. It’s fast paced, well written and a good length. It kept their attention, and they loved the science fiction aspect. I like that there was a moral to the story, and my boys picked up on that. Well written and highly recommended.
December 7, 2018
I received a free download of this book when it was first published. It will be a perfect addition to our dystopian novels section! I am sure our students are going to enjoy this title, set FAR in the future, but which touches on so much of the parent/child relationship angst of today!
January 12, 2019
This was a precious book about a little boy who learns that even an animal as small as a mouse has feelings & only wants to be free to live. I enjoyed reading it & have to admit I learned some lessons too.
January 22, 2019
I won this Kindle edition book in a GoodReads giveaway - thank you to everyone involved.
This is a different type book than I normally read but it was a good read. It's a story about Zert - set in the year 2083 - he grows up as he learns to survive.
This is a different type book than I normally read but it was a good read. It's a story about Zert - set in the year 2083 - he grows up as he learns to survive.
January 13, 2020
The only disappointment with this book is that the author wrote it 20 years ago, so I'm fairly sure there's no sequel! A really nice semi-post-apocalyptic middle grade story - great characters, good development, and thought-provoking.
October 28, 2018
Surviving Minimized is a fun, descriptive story — and one my middle school students would have loved. Creative science fiction that works as a fine adventure.
January 1, 2019
Kept my interest throughout
January 26, 2019
Amazing story. Why did the author wait so long to have this published. Need more. Very unique story. I will have to keep a steady eye on this author.
January 29, 2019
A good book for middle-grade boys. The prose is a bit elementary, but it has nice bits of action. Probably not appropriate for readers too young, as there is some death. An entertaining read.
did-not-finish
June 22, 2025I received my copy of this book via Goodreads giveaway, which has no bearing on my review.
This is marketed as a YA dystopian, but the protagonist is only 13 and not a very mature 13 at that. Along with the humor, it feels more like a middle-grade tale.
Unfortunately, the writing quality just isn't good. There are sentences with unclear meanings, and just a general feeling of, "Oh, look, we're trying to be innovative and original, but this is just a retread of (insert name of more popular tale here)."
DNFed at 21%.
This is marketed as a YA dystopian, but the protagonist is only 13 and not a very mature 13 at that. Along with the humor, it feels more like a middle-grade tale.
Unfortunately, the writing quality just isn't good. There are sentences with unclear meanings, and just a general feeling of, "Oh, look, we're trying to be innovative and original, but this is just a retread of (insert name of more popular tale here)."
DNFed at 21%.
June 3, 2020
Wonderfully imaginative! What an adventure! Highly recommend!
February 28, 2019
I received a free digital copy of this book through a giveaway hosted on GoodReads.
Surviving Minimized is a fascinating novel that raises a lot of questions about the future of our society. In a future where pollution and nuclear war has made living on the ground has become dangerous, and the rich have moved to floating cities while the poor suffer through constant quarantines, a teenage boy named Zert’s life in changed forever when he is arrested while participating in a “trash war” with his best friend. Not only is he threatened with a long jail sentence over a silly mistake, but his best friend is soon found to be infected with the SuperPox, and with vaccines too rare and expensive for the majority of the population, it could be a death sentence for Zert as well as Cribbie. Feeling he has no choice if he doesn’t want to lose in son in one way or another, Zert’s father agrees to participate in an experimental society with his brother-in law in which participants are shrunk down to the size of a thumb and begin living off the land in small communities within the mostly-untouched Rocky Mountain National Park. However, their problems don’t end once they join the tiny Rosies in their town of Paradise. Due to the fact not all people adjust to their simpler lives very easily, especially in the case of children, they have three weeks to prove they are a good fit for the community. Meanwhile, what happened to Uncle Marin? Did he die during the shrinking process…or could he have had other plans when he brought up the idea?
It was a very interesting story, to be sure. Although it was not always the most exciting tale, the idea and message behind it were definitely thought-provoking, and just learning about the Rosies and their way of life was enough to keep me interested, not to mention finding out if Zert and his father would stay or whether Zert’s uncle had betrayed the experiment on the day they were shrunk. The whole story felt so unique, but also very real. Many parts of the setting(s), such as the polluted and garbage-filled landscape of Lower DC, or the bug-centric diets of the Rosies, reeked of the possibilities for our future. We are already on a scary course for our planet’s future, one that some scientists fear is already unavoidable even with changes to our lifestyles, and while shrinking down so that an insect could feed a family or a single rat an entire town is not yet in the realm of possibility, insects are being looked at as a possible way to supplement food in starving areas or to replace unsustainable or dwindling livestock options. Furthermore, the struggles between Zert and Jack are very real, from the frustration Zert feels with how his ability to express himself and just be a teenager is being limited and the fear Jack feels watching his son be put in danger due to a world he unwittingly contributed to, to the struggles between a family trying to survive and a society afraid that giving them too much time to adjust could threaten their way of life. Despite all the over-the-top science fiction elements that we encounter in Zert’s world, it all felt very genuine and real. It almost makes you wonder if you could shrink yourself down and live in a secret society in the forest yourself, and finally get way from the dirt and stress of modern life.
This is an excellent book for anyone who likes scifi or dystopia novels, and is loking for something a little bit different than the norm. For adults, it is a quick and easy read (I read it in only 3 days, and the first and last day were only partial days shared with another book) that makes you wonder about the future, about what steps you might be willing to take to protect yourself and your current or future family. For kids, it is a fun adventure that opens up doors to discuss how we can protect the planet from becoming as bad as Zert’s, and why it is important to follow rule that are meant to protect you and why you should be open to new experiences and people. It is a harsh warning about our future as well as a hopeful story of how innovation could be used to reverse some of the ill effects or start over in cases where we have already gone too far. We may be on a dark road right now, but if we work to help our planet and the people around us, we can hopefully make a society as happy and healthy as the Rosies’ world in the future without having to give up our technology entirely, or becoming the size of our own thumbs.
Surviving Minimized is a fascinating novel that raises a lot of questions about the future of our society. In a future where pollution and nuclear war has made living on the ground has become dangerous, and the rich have moved to floating cities while the poor suffer through constant quarantines, a teenage boy named Zert’s life in changed forever when he is arrested while participating in a “trash war” with his best friend. Not only is he threatened with a long jail sentence over a silly mistake, but his best friend is soon found to be infected with the SuperPox, and with vaccines too rare and expensive for the majority of the population, it could be a death sentence for Zert as well as Cribbie. Feeling he has no choice if he doesn’t want to lose in son in one way or another, Zert’s father agrees to participate in an experimental society with his brother-in law in which participants are shrunk down to the size of a thumb and begin living off the land in small communities within the mostly-untouched Rocky Mountain National Park. However, their problems don’t end once they join the tiny Rosies in their town of Paradise. Due to the fact not all people adjust to their simpler lives very easily, especially in the case of children, they have three weeks to prove they are a good fit for the community. Meanwhile, what happened to Uncle Marin? Did he die during the shrinking process…or could he have had other plans when he brought up the idea?
It was a very interesting story, to be sure. Although it was not always the most exciting tale, the idea and message behind it were definitely thought-provoking, and just learning about the Rosies and their way of life was enough to keep me interested, not to mention finding out if Zert and his father would stay or whether Zert’s uncle had betrayed the experiment on the day they were shrunk. The whole story felt so unique, but also very real. Many parts of the setting(s), such as the polluted and garbage-filled landscape of Lower DC, or the bug-centric diets of the Rosies, reeked of the possibilities for our future. We are already on a scary course for our planet’s future, one that some scientists fear is already unavoidable even with changes to our lifestyles, and while shrinking down so that an insect could feed a family or a single rat an entire town is not yet in the realm of possibility, insects are being looked at as a possible way to supplement food in starving areas or to replace unsustainable or dwindling livestock options. Furthermore, the struggles between Zert and Jack are very real, from the frustration Zert feels with how his ability to express himself and just be a teenager is being limited and the fear Jack feels watching his son be put in danger due to a world he unwittingly contributed to, to the struggles between a family trying to survive and a society afraid that giving them too much time to adjust could threaten their way of life. Despite all the over-the-top science fiction elements that we encounter in Zert’s world, it all felt very genuine and real. It almost makes you wonder if you could shrink yourself down and live in a secret society in the forest yourself, and finally get way from the dirt and stress of modern life.
This is an excellent book for anyone who likes scifi or dystopia novels, and is loking for something a little bit different than the norm. For adults, it is a quick and easy read (I read it in only 3 days, and the first and last day were only partial days shared with another book) that makes you wonder about the future, about what steps you might be willing to take to protect yourself and your current or future family. For kids, it is a fun adventure that opens up doors to discuss how we can protect the planet from becoming as bad as Zert’s, and why it is important to follow rule that are meant to protect you and why you should be open to new experiences and people. It is a harsh warning about our future as well as a hopeful story of how innovation could be used to reverse some of the ill effects or start over in cases where we have already gone too far. We may be on a dark road right now, but if we work to help our planet and the people around us, we can hopefully make a society as happy and healthy as the Rosies’ world in the future without having to give up our technology entirely, or becoming the size of our own thumbs.
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July 24, 2020In this time of the COVID pandemic, some of you might find it helpful to read a book like this where a virus has drastically changed the cultural landscape. This dystopian book about 2083 and a colony of miniature people is a wonderful lesson in bravery and resolution. Zert, our 13-year-old hero starts out as regular size (a Big) and lives alone with his father. Their surroundings are deteriorating and when Zert gets arrested and exposed to superpox in the same night, his father searches for a way to keep them together. They find out about the Rosie Project and use their savings to pay for the expenses to minimize and transport themselves to Rocky Mountain National Park. When they arrive they are the size of a thumb. Imagine exploring the park and surviving under those circumstances. They are given the opportunity to join a colony on a temporary basis, but have to earn the acceptance of the other residents. Zert is not happy about all of the challenges of their new home and misses all the gadgets from his old life as well as his pets. The other kids have lived in the colony their whole lives and find it difficult to connect with him. The descriptions of their experiences in nature and the adaptations that the colony has made are fascinating and so creative. Worm dogs on acorn buns are a staple and at one point, Zert is delighted to receive a parsley marshmallow as a treat from a neighbor. They use a padded soup can as a toy on their playground and a turtle shell for a hot tub. I hope more people will discover this book. It is so worth reading!
December 10, 2018
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this eBook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This middle-grade novel has elements of dystopian futures, teenage angst, friendship and bullying, mystery, adventure, betrayal, grief, and a touch of romance. The problem is, it's not quite completely pulled together. By trying to include so many elements, there's just not quite enough time to really explore anything in depth. I was initially pulled in by the idea of people getting shrunk and having to survive in the wild. (Yes, I read the Borrower's as a kid and loved it!) The parts of the book where Zert faces danger through encounters with roaches, spiders, and beetles are the best part - you can really sense the danger. The part where he just gives in and eats these same bugs with barely a second thought were just too glossed over for me to find them realistic.
The characters developed in believable ways - although I struggled with how quickly they moved, it seemed unrealistic to me. The ending was a bit abrupt (especially the big secret twist, part of which I saw coming and part of which I did not). Things are definitely set up for a sequel, but there was an ending; it was not a cliffhanger. Recommended for middle grade readers who enjoy adventure and dystopian stories.
This middle-grade novel has elements of dystopian futures, teenage angst, friendship and bullying, mystery, adventure, betrayal, grief, and a touch of romance. The problem is, it's not quite completely pulled together. By trying to include so many elements, there's just not quite enough time to really explore anything in depth. I was initially pulled in by the idea of people getting shrunk and having to survive in the wild. (Yes, I read the Borrower's as a kid and loved it!) The parts of the book where Zert faces danger through encounters with roaches, spiders, and beetles are the best part - you can really sense the danger. The part where he just gives in and eats these same bugs with barely a second thought were just too glossed over for me to find them realistic.
The characters developed in believable ways - although I struggled with how quickly they moved, it seemed unrealistic to me. The ending was a bit abrupt (especially the big secret twist, part of which I saw coming and part of which I did not). Things are definitely set up for a sequel, but there was an ending; it was not a cliffhanger. Recommended for middle grade readers who enjoy adventure and dystopian stories.
January 31, 2020
In a future dystopia, 13 -- year - old Zert Cage engages in trash wars with other teens as a way to gain respect. But when an arrest for felony vandalism threatens him with a possible 20 year jail sentence and a new epidemic of the Superpox threatens his very life his father Jack is convinced to accept his brother-in-law's offer to participate in a top-secret project in which father and son will undergo a process called minimizing which will shrink them to the size of thumbs. In doing so, they will have to leave everything in their old lives behind, but Zert will get vaccinated against the pox and avoid jail. Unfortunately life in a small settlement of shrunken people called Paradise proves difficult not only because of its insect-based diet but because the locals are unwelcoming to newcomers. Zert and his struggles to fit in hold the attention and make him easy to sympathize with. The detailed worldbuilding that goes into this miniature society is fascinating and believeable An added element of suspense and danger comes from the constant threat of the community kicking the newcomers out and the fact that they might not have been told the truth about the minimizing project. All in all this YA novel is one that will entertain and absorb readers of all ages. This book was received as a Goodreads giveaway.
January 29, 2020
I have never read a book quite like this. It has some post apocalyptic scifi vibes, with 13 year old Zert Cage getting in trouble with the law for playing "Trash War" with his best friend. He takes off his O mask briefly, exposing himself to smallpox, an epidemic killing people in Low City DC who can't afford the vaccine.
When Zert's father agrees to have himself and Zert shrunken down to thumb size in order to save Zert from the possibility of life in prison, everything changes.
I liked Zert as a character. He's a regular relatable 13 year old. It was interesting to see him adjusting to giving up technology completely to live outside where bugs are farmed, and eaten. He and his father had a difficult time fitting in, which is what the book mainly focuses on.
The characters are good, and the setting and circumstances made it a lot of fun to read. Toss in a family betrayal, and you've got a good book.
When Zert's father agrees to have himself and Zert shrunken down to thumb size in order to save Zert from the possibility of life in prison, everything changes.
I liked Zert as a character. He's a regular relatable 13 year old. It was interesting to see him adjusting to giving up technology completely to live outside where bugs are farmed, and eaten. He and his father had a difficult time fitting in, which is what the book mainly focuses on.
The characters are good, and the setting and circumstances made it a lot of fun to read. Toss in a family betrayal, and you've got a good book.
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