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Rootless [Hardcover]

Chris Howard
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)

List Price: $17.99
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Book Description

November 1, 2012
17-year-old Banyan is a tree builder. Using salvaged scrap metal, he creates forests for rich patrons who seek a reprieve from the desolate landscape. Although Banyan's never seen a real tree--they were destroyed more than a century ago--his missing father used to tell him stories about the Old World.

Everything changes when Banyan meets a mysterious woman with a strange tattoo
--a map to the last living trees on earth, and he sets off across a wasteland from which few return. Those who make it past the pirates and poachers can't escape the locusts . . . the locusts that now feed on human flesh.

But Banyan isn't the only one looking for the trees, and he's running out of time. Unsure of whom to trust, he's forced to make an alliance with Alpha, an alluring, dangerous pirate with an agenda of her own. As they race towards a promised land that might only be a myth, Banyan makes shocking discoveries about his family, his past, and how far people will go to bring back the trees.

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 7-10-In a worst-case-scenario future, climate change has taken a harsh toll. The waters are rising violently, the land that is left is a dusty wasteland, and the only thing still growing is the all-powerful GenTech Corporation's bioengineered corn (aka "superfood"). Banyan, 17, is an artist, like his missing father, creating whole forests out of scrap metal, plastic, and electronic components for the wealthy. Chance meetings with some unusual people send him on a quest to find Zion, which might contain not only the last remaining trees on Earth, but possibly his father as well. What he eventually discovers is unexpected, to say the least. Themes of loss, redemption, and sacrifice are explored, along with some big questions about science and family and love. Banyan is a strong character with believable motivation and behavior. There's a lot of violence and misery, but also a surprisingly sweet romance between him and the almost suicidally daring pirate Alpha. Supporting characters are well done. Fans of the Mad Max movies, The Hunger Games, and other blood-pounding, life-or-death adventures will find much to like here, and will look forward to further installments.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Libraryα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

"There's a brilliant madness to this deadly postapocalyptic world, filled with complex characters, shifting loyalties, and layers of mystery... it's also a nonstop adventure, with wild concepts and an almost hypnotic quality to Banyan's terse, weather-beaten narration. Lines like "I knew it was a day of endings, one way or another" and "One good thing about a world made of stone and steel, that world can't burn for long" bring this unforgettable setting to life." - Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

"Howard has a gift for the phantasmagoric image: the killing Surge that is this future's ocean, the bark Banyan finds growing on a homeless man, the swarm of locusts descending for the kill and more." - Kirkus Reviews

"Fans of the Mad Max movies, The Hunger Games, and other blood-pounding, life or death adventures will find much to like here." - School Library Journal

"In his ambitious debut, Howard constructs a crumbling, brutal, ignorant, mystical, and barren world, and he gets his environmental message across clearly." - Booklist

"Mesmerizing. Howard emerges as a compelling new voice..." - CJ Redwine, author of Defiance

"Strikingly original with breathtaking plot twists, ROOTLESS will haunt you long after you've read the last page." - Jeff Hirsch, author of the Eleventh Plague

"Imagine a combination of Patrick Ness, Nancy Farmer, and Paolo Bacigalupi. Now, crank it up a couple more notches and you have Chris Howard." - Forever Young Adult

"ROOTLESS is one intoxicating, crazy thrill ride... a book that sinks its hooks into your brain and won't let go." - Young Adult Books Central


Praise for Rootless

*"An impressive debut . . . There's a brilliant madness to this deadly postapocalyptic world, filled with complex characters, shifting loyalties, and layers of mystery." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Fans of the Mad Max movies, The Hunger Games, and other blood-pounding, life-or-death adventures will find much to like here, and will look forward to further installments." —School Library Journal

"In his ambitious debut, Howard constructs a crumbling, brutal, ignorant, mystical, and barren world, and he gets his environmental message across clearly." —Booklist


Product Details

  • Hardcover: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (November 1, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0545387892
  • ISBN-13: 978-0545387897
  • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,945 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Chris Howard was born not far from London but currently lives in Denver, CO. Before he wrote stories, he wrote songs, studied natural resources management, worked for the National Park Service, and spent eight years leading wilderness adventure trips for teenagers. He was awarded a Publishers Weekly "Flying Start" in Fall 2012, following the release of his debut novel, ROOTLESS (Scholastic Press), and Chris is currently working on the next book in this gritty sci-fi series that's recommended for both teens and adults. Visit him online for exclusive ROOTLESS content and lots more at www.ChrisHowardBooks.com.

Customer Reviews

Chris Howard created an amazing world with fascinating characters. Carsten  |  9 reviewers made a similar statement
I read this book in three sittings, and my 13 year old just started it. Family Hill  |  9 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book since Hunger Games! October 17, 2012
Format:Hardcover
Rootless is a rippin' page turner! This post-apocalyptic thriller takes you through worlds yet to be imagined on a quest to save something we currently take for granted....trees. The language is succinct and precise sharing the most important details in an intriguing way. Almost like a Cormac McCarthy for today's youth. I found myself up, very late at night, saying, "After this chapter, I'll go close the book and turn off the light." That almost never happened! Each chapter moves compellingly into the next always leaving you wanting more. The characters are spell-binding and the relationship that develops between Alpha and Banyan builds tension in such a real and true way. There will almost certainly be a sequel..there HAS to be! What will become of the last stand of trees? Can the world be saved? What adventures, twists, romances and losses will occur in the process? AHHHHH...I already yearn for more!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced adventure story with awesome plot! Loved it. October 24, 2012
By Asheley
Format:Hardcover
I had a great time reading this book. Actually, I couldn't put it down. Rootless is an adventure story with some crazy twists. Tons of action. A great male leading character on a journey. A mean bad guy and a bad corporation. Locusts, pirates, poachers, stuff like that. People chasing people. Some weapons, some fighting, and some people die for their causes. There is a lot of hope and there is a little bit of romance.

The world-building is great. The language and imagery are vivid and so easy to visualize. I practically watched a movie of this book in my head while I read it. The characters are colorful. The plot - just, wow. The plot is fast-paced and action-packed. There are even what I call "important things" or social and environmental issues tucked away inside of all of the fun of this book, but it was never too heavy for me.

Rootless by Chris Howard is a strong start to what I expect will be an awesome trilogy. I recommend Rootless for fans of adventure stories, dystopian stories, and YA male leads. And everyone else too.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome imagery and entralling adventure- a must read! October 16, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I got introduced to this book because I love the genre (Hunger Games, Maze runner, Chaos Walking trilogy, Blood Red Road). Why do I love the genre? Because they're great adventure stories with compelling, socially interesting plots. Rootless delivers and more on all levels!
From page one, Banyon, the main character, brings you into his world. You become immediately enthralled by a strange dystopian future with no trees. As the adventure unfolds, the imagery and scenes you visit are vivid and awesome. The plot is solid and unique. But for me, the big take away is, how crazy and great the ride is. I could hardly put the book down and got in trouble with my girlfriend for not wanting to do anything other than get absorbed in the journey. (I think she was also a little peeved because I had a crush on the heroine from the story, Alpha, too :-).

It's a must read. What I am psyched for is that it's the first in a trilogy. The only problem is I gotta wait for the next book!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Bring on the Toecutter!
Rootless is terrific. I immediately bought the world Howard creates, which allowed me to concentrate on the characters and action. Read more
Published 2 days ago by S. Beaudoin
5.0 out of 5 stars I think that I shall never see. A poem lovely as a tree.
Our high school book club won copies of Rootless by Chris Howard. When the books arrived the first think you notice is the great cover. Read more
Published 16 days ago by Valleygirl
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic biopunk science fiction!
Bold, powerful, and thematically daring, Rootless is a masterpiece debut novel from Chris Howard. This astoundingly compelling and immensely satisfying novel tells the story of... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Evie Seo (Bookish blog)
3.0 out of 5 stars fair
I liked the story line, but it was to provocative and not appropriate for the age group I bought it for, 5- 6 th graders.
Published 1 month ago by S. Hansen
5.0 out of 5 stars Oy
This book had been on my to-read list for a while. I put off picking it up because my to-read pile was so tall already. Once I opened it, though, seriously. Read more
Published 1 month ago by KDowney
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Debut!
I won a copy of Rootless through the Goodreads Giveaways program. Rootless is a fast paced post-apocalyptic novel. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Woodstock68
5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book.
Rootless is easily one of the best books I have read in a long time. Chris Howard created an amazing world with fascinating characters. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Carsten
5.0 out of 5 stars A heart racing adventure! MUST READ!!
Rootless is a raw adventure that will capture your interest within seconds! It will open your imagination and envelop your mind with possibilities of a harsh reality with a world... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Skitts
4.0 out of 5 stars Rootless is a Debut that will stick with you.
Review:

In a world without trees, one makes beauty however one can. Banyan is a tree builder. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Kristin@Blood,SweatandBooks
5.0 out of 5 stars Rootless grows DEEP roots!
With all the hype around the genetically modified food, ROOTLESS jumps straight into the future with an exciting character named BANYAN! Read more
Published 3 months ago by P to the B
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