Margins
Pandemic book cover
Pandemic
2014
First Published
3.77
Average Rating
368
Number of Pages

Even under the most normal circumstances, high school can be a painful and confusing time. Unfortunately, Lilianna's circumstances are anything but normal. Only a few people know what caused her sudden change from model student to the withdrawn pessimist she has become, but her situation isn't about to get any better. When people begin coming down with a quick-spreading illness that doctors are unable to treat, Lil's worst fears are realized. With her parents called away on business before the contagious outbreak-her father in Delaware covering the early stages of the disease and her mother in Hong Kong and unable to get a flight back to New Jersey-Lil's town is hit by what soon becomes a widespread illness and fatal disaster. Now, she's more alone than she's been since the "incident" at her school months ago. With friends and neighbors dying all around her, Lil does everything she can just to survive. But as the disease rages on, so does an unexpected tension as Lil is torn between an old ex and a new romantic interest. Just when it all seems too much, the cause of her original trauma shows up at her door. In this thrilling debut from author Yvonne Ventresca, Lil must find a way to survive not only the outbreak and its real-life consequences, but also her own personal demons.

Avg Rating
3.77
Number of Ratings
1,092
5 STARS
25%
4 STARS
38%
3 STARS
27%
2 STARS
8%
1 STARS
2%
goodreads

Author

Yvonne Ventresca
Yvonne Ventresca
Author · 5 books

Yvonne Ventresca writes thrilling novels and short stories that explore topics like deadly diseases, gaslighting, and hauntings. Her latest short story, "The Third Ghost," won the eponymous honor for the middle grade anthology VOYAGERS: THE THIRD GHOST (for ages 9-12). Her young adult novel, BLACK FLOWERS, WHITE LIES (Sky Pony Press, 2016) won a National IPPY Gold Medal for YA fiction in 2017. Justine Magazine said "This one will keep you guessing" and according to BuzzFeed, BLACK FLOWERS, WHITE LIES "definitely won't disappoint." Yvonne's debut YA novel, PANDEMIC, won a Crystal Kite Award from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. "This fast read will appeal to fans of Susan Beth Pfeffer’s LIFE AS WE KNEW IT," Booklist said. Her other works include short stories selected for anthologies along with two nonfiction books. Yvonne holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. You can learn more about her at YvonneVentresca.com, where she also features resources for teen writers.

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