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Fallout
When her parents demand they teach the students about the dangers of the atomic testing at her school in the midst of the 1954 hurricane season, Genevieve is challenged to find a balance between supporting her parents' political beliefs and developing friendships with her conservative classmates.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
5 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Trudy Krisher
17 books21 followersTrudy Krisher has a reputation as a talented writer who does not hesitate to explore sensitive issues. She grew up in the South like her heroines Maggie, in Spite Fences, and Pert, in Kinship. Born in Macon, Georgia in 1946, she was raised in South Florida.
Trudy graduated from the College of William and Mary with a B.A. in English and received her Masters degree from The College of New Jersey. She has three grown children: Laura, Kathy, and Mark. Trudy Krisher lives in Dayton, Ohio, where she is a Professor at Sinclair Community College.
Trudy has won many awards for her writing. They include Best Book for Young Adults selections of the American Library Association; International Reading Association Award; The Jefferson Cup Honor Book of the Virginia Library Association; Parents’ Choice Honor Book; Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award; Amelia Bloomer Project Recommendation; Bank Street Children’s Book of the Year; and Capitol Choice Book.
Trudy graduated from the College of William and Mary with a B.A. in English and received her Masters degree from The College of New Jersey. She has three grown children: Laura, Kathy, and Mark. Trudy Krisher lives in Dayton, Ohio, where she is a Professor at Sinclair Community College.
Trudy has won many awards for her writing. They include Best Book for Young Adults selections of the American Library Association; International Reading Association Award; The Jefferson Cup Honor Book of the Virginia Library Association; Parents’ Choice Honor Book; Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award; Amelia Bloomer Project Recommendation; Bank Street Children’s Book of the Year; and Capitol Choice Book.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
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September 25, 2018This is a good book about a girl who has to start high school by herself because her only friend moved away. Will she make any friends? Will she be lonely all year?
December 29, 2021
This is a story set in 1954 covering different cultures between the eastern part of the United States and the western part (specifically California). One of the major differences is the attitude towards Black people.
The eastern part is represented by North Carolina. The people there do not trust scientists (something which is being repeated almost country-wide today). They strongly support Joe McCarthy's personal war against alleged Communists in our country. Anyone who is anything but heterosexual has to stay in the proverbial closet.
Other problems are present there including the fear of polio (which was still a major problem then) and the presence of hurricanes. There's also the fear of an atomic attack.
There's also Tupperware parties and Civil Defense classes and Welcome Wagons.
Brenda is the girl from California and Genevieve is the girl she interacts with the most when she gets to North Carolina.
Oddly enough when she gets there she does find some interest in the subject of UFOs.
Brenda and her parents live a very different life style from what the others do and this leads to a lot of problems for them. The culture clash is major and ongoing. This also has major consequences for Brenda and her parents.
I'm not going to go into all the specific culture clashes but they are numerous and cover a wide-range of topics. The book also shows just how intolerant people can be of those who think differently and act differently than them even if neither of those things involve violence or bullying of any kind.
It's a well-done book.
The eastern part is represented by North Carolina. The people there do not trust scientists (something which is being repeated almost country-wide today). They strongly support Joe McCarthy's personal war against alleged Communists in our country. Anyone who is anything but heterosexual has to stay in the proverbial closet.
Other problems are present there including the fear of polio (which was still a major problem then) and the presence of hurricanes. There's also the fear of an atomic attack.
There's also Tupperware parties and Civil Defense classes and Welcome Wagons.
Brenda is the girl from California and Genevieve is the girl she interacts with the most when she gets to North Carolina.
Oddly enough when she gets there she does find some interest in the subject of UFOs.
Brenda and her parents live a very different life style from what the others do and this leads to a lot of problems for them. The culture clash is major and ongoing. This also has major consequences for Brenda and her parents.
I'm not going to go into all the specific culture clashes but they are numerous and cover a wide-range of topics. The book also shows just how intolerant people can be of those who think differently and act differently than them even if neither of those things involve violence or bullying of any kind.
It's a well-done book.
March 20, 2022
I requested this book from the library. I am so glad I got to read it!
I loved the characters and how they related to what was going on. There was some tension between them and I understand why and how it could occur with the location, the weather, and the time period. Great writing along with the poetic additions that came in via a character and a teacher!
Friends forever, maybe, truly about friendships and relationships. I enjoyed the batter between the two girls as they became friends and got to know each other, even though, their families were so different and often did not relate to each other. The Tupperware parties, school assignments, and the current events of the time were interesting and drew me into the storyline.
The ending is done beautifully with the discoveries and the eye-opening thinking into what makes a close friend and how they keep being one. The bomb shelter fail and the look into parent guidance as this unfolds are important when destruction happens and uncontrolled. I look forward to reading more writes by Krisher.
I loved the characters and how they related to what was going on. There was some tension between them and I understand why and how it could occur with the location, the weather, and the time period. Great writing along with the poetic additions that came in via a character and a teacher!
Friends forever, maybe, truly about friendships and relationships. I enjoyed the batter between the two girls as they became friends and got to know each other, even though, their families were so different and often did not relate to each other. The Tupperware parties, school assignments, and the current events of the time were interesting and drew me into the storyline.
The ending is done beautifully with the discoveries and the eye-opening thinking into what makes a close friend and how they keep being one. The bomb shelter fail and the look into parent guidance as this unfolds are important when destruction happens and uncontrolled. I look forward to reading more writes by Krisher.
September 21, 2019
I received an ARC for the soon-to-be released ebook edition of Fallout, and I promised an honest review of the book in return.
I loved the time period of this book. I don't usually read books from this period but I really thought it was an interesting subject to write about. I loved the inclusion and hints towards the Salem Witch Trials, especially with all of the McCarthy talk. (Performing in a performance of The Crucible next month might have something to do with that too). The fear of nuclear war was very real in the book--I felt the tension at times along with the fear of hurricanes. I've never been in one. I don't ever want to be in one.
My only complaint was certain parts of the book felt rushed and unexplored. The ending was abrupt and nothing felt resolved. Gen's relationship with her parents, with Brenda, with the other students, her cousin. All up in the air still.
If it weren't for the unresolved issues with the ending, I would have given this book 4 stars.
I loved the time period of this book. I don't usually read books from this period but I really thought it was an interesting subject to write about. I loved the inclusion and hints towards the Salem Witch Trials, especially with all of the McCarthy talk. (Performing in a performance of The Crucible next month might have something to do with that too). The fear of nuclear war was very real in the book--I felt the tension at times along with the fear of hurricanes. I've never been in one. I don't ever want to be in one.
My only complaint was certain parts of the book felt rushed and unexplored. The ending was abrupt and nothing felt resolved. Gen's relationship with her parents, with Brenda, with the other students, her cousin. All up in the air still.
If it weren't for the unresolved issues with the ending, I would have given this book 4 stars.
May 8, 2023
“How different was Salem, Massachusetts, of 1962 from Easton, North Carolina, of 1954?” Genevieve is 14 and trying to navigate living in a small town where being different makes you an outcast. What is the definition of neighbor and why are some people just evil? Genevieve tries to understand her family and her neighbors.
December 21, 2021
genevieve seemed much younger than she actually was
the info dumps were excessive. like fantasy level
the 1960s culture was definitely full force but sometimes to the point of artificiality
the info dumps were excessive. like fantasy level
the 1960s culture was definitely full force but sometimes to the point of artificiality
June 11, 2025
Boring... Saw no story lins
September 28, 2016
September
Fallout
By Trudy Krisher
9th grader, Genevieve, is growing up in North Carolina during the Cold War. She is well aware of hurricanes and knows how to prepare for one. Genevieve's school offers a Civil Defense program and a newcomer, Brenda Whompers, that moved to North Carolina from California, holds a protest with her parents about teaching the students the dangers of atomic testing. That's when people start to believe they're communists. Since Genevieve is falling behind in algebra, she is forced to "spend time" with Brenda and starts to realize she isn't as bad as she thought she was. She is trying to figure out weather she agrees with Brenda or her own beliefs. She is also trying to figure out if Brenda is considered a best friend or not. When Brenda starts a project on UFOs to help her figure out how to use/make an anemometer when Genevieve tells her about them, it gets Genevieve's cousin, Wills, into trouble. After another protest on removing "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, Brenda becomes suspended from the school. Brenda's parents decide that they are going to be moving again. Even though Brenda doesn't have the same belief as Genevieve, she still goes to her First Communion to say goodbye to her. Genevieve then decided that Brenda was her best friend.
I think that the theme for Fallout is to not judge a book by its cover. I know this is the theme because at the beginning of the book, Genevieve thinks that Brenda is very outspoken and that she is very weird. After spending time with her, she realizes that Brenda is funny and not so bad as she originally thought she was. In the book, Genevieve states that she is her "own unique person" and she sometimes just goes off in her "own little world" which isn't a bad thing. To not judge a book by its cover is to not look at someone and say "Hey, she dresses weird." or "Look she's ugly.", because once you get to know someone, it can really change your perception of them.
Fallout
By Trudy Krisher
9th grader, Genevieve, is growing up in North Carolina during the Cold War. She is well aware of hurricanes and knows how to prepare for one. Genevieve's school offers a Civil Defense program and a newcomer, Brenda Whompers, that moved to North Carolina from California, holds a protest with her parents about teaching the students the dangers of atomic testing. That's when people start to believe they're communists. Since Genevieve is falling behind in algebra, she is forced to "spend time" with Brenda and starts to realize she isn't as bad as she thought she was. She is trying to figure out weather she agrees with Brenda or her own beliefs. She is also trying to figure out if Brenda is considered a best friend or not. When Brenda starts a project on UFOs to help her figure out how to use/make an anemometer when Genevieve tells her about them, it gets Genevieve's cousin, Wills, into trouble. After another protest on removing "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, Brenda becomes suspended from the school. Brenda's parents decide that they are going to be moving again. Even though Brenda doesn't have the same belief as Genevieve, she still goes to her First Communion to say goodbye to her. Genevieve then decided that Brenda was her best friend.
I think that the theme for Fallout is to not judge a book by its cover. I know this is the theme because at the beginning of the book, Genevieve thinks that Brenda is very outspoken and that she is very weird. After spending time with her, she realizes that Brenda is funny and not so bad as she originally thought she was. In the book, Genevieve states that she is her "own unique person" and she sometimes just goes off in her "own little world" which isn't a bad thing. To not judge a book by its cover is to not look at someone and say "Hey, she dresses weird." or "Look she's ugly.", because once you get to know someone, it can really change your perception of them.
May 28, 2012
I found this at the library because Trudy Krisher is leading the Young Writers Workshop that I'm going to over the summer this year, and now I'm really looking forward to meeting and discussing with her. I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. It's set in North Carolina during the Cold War and one of the worst hurricane seasons before 2005.
What I love about this book is the following: That it's set in the 1950s, one of my favorite periods of American history. The focus on friendship and family rather than romance. Wills, Gen's mentally challenged but endearing cousin. The animals. Brenda, at times frustratingly so. The cruelty of the Easton community toward the Whomperses. The fact that I almost cried at one particular chapter.
Great book, especially for anyone who loves historical fiction. If you can find it, pick it up.
What I love about this book is the following: That it's set in the 1950s, one of my favorite periods of American history. The focus on friendship and family rather than romance. Wills, Gen's mentally challenged but endearing cousin. The animals. Brenda, at times frustratingly so. The cruelty of the Easton community toward the Whomperses. The fact that I almost cried at one particular chapter.
Great book, especially for anyone who loves historical fiction. If you can find it, pick it up.
September 26, 2014
I thought this book was a really great book. I thought Trudy Krisher did a great job on the book Fallout. I thought it was a very thrilling and exciting book.
It is set in North Carolina during the Cold War and one of the worst hurricane seasons before 2005. At the beginning of the story it sets the present time of the story in a hurricane. His family is preparing for the hurricane to hit and they are making sure that there other family is ok. There is also a lot of cruelty between the Easton community and the Whompersons.
I would recommend this book to people who like historical fictions. I would also recommend this book to people who are in middle school and high school.
It is set in North Carolina during the Cold War and one of the worst hurricane seasons before 2005. At the beginning of the story it sets the present time of the story in a hurricane. His family is preparing for the hurricane to hit and they are making sure that there other family is ok. There is also a lot of cruelty between the Easton community and the Whompersons.
I would recommend this book to people who like historical fictions. I would also recommend this book to people who are in middle school and high school.
June 29, 2011
This book i have mixed feelings about. i'm pretty sure that it is set in the late 1940's, and some of their ideas about nuclear bombing seem ironically funny, compared to nowadays. It seems a little confusing at times. Although it has some odd ideas in it from some odd charachters, so far it seems alright. (not fantastic, though)
October 2, 2008
This is a young adult fiction book. I enjoyed reading it a lot. It is set in the time of the cold war, and it reminds or teaches people to not be so closed-minded. Even the people in the book that proclaimed to be so open-minded, were actually just as short-sided as the other group. The main character is very engaging, and I really cared about what happened to her.
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June 25, 2012While the story itself seems okay, it seems almost like a dramatization. The ending is rather boring and the characters just aren't likable. At all. It's readable, and not to tough (It's honestly elementary school/middle school reading level), however it's dull. Unless you're into hardcore Cold War reading, I'd suggest a different book.
July 4, 2015
I really liked the basis of the story. It's probably the first book I've ever read that was set in 1950s America and it was interesting subject matter. I liked that it was told in the point of view of a teenager; it shows that America's fear at this time was blind and often wasn't understood by young people. It took a while to get the story going, though, and the dialogue was pretty childish.
January 3, 2015
Similar to, but much better than, Cushman's Loud Silence of Francine Green. The conflict between knowing when to stand up for yourself and when to back a friend, the questions about the Red Scare and the A-bomb and religion all felt far realler and less message driven.
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September 17, 2007Krisher, Trudy
December 23, 2008
I really liked this book, but it may have been due a great deal to the time period in which it is set. I was a kid about that time, so I could identify with the characters very well
November 16, 2009
Pretty good....not as exciting as I would have hoped.
November 27, 2009
This was a spectacular book!!!
December 6, 2011
confusing, bad ending sort of
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews