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This outstanding first title in a trilogy should have readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. Foon lays the foundation for a compelling dystopian novel featuring Roan, a 15-year-old boy thrust into a hero's journey after his peace-loving village is destroyed. He and his younger sister, Stowe, are the only survivors. She is taken to the City and used for nefarious purposes that will presumably be explained in later books. Roan, at first, seems to have been saved by a man named Saint, the leader of a small band of warriors. When the teen uncovers the truth about Saint, he flees into the polluted, devastated wilderness. He is befriended by another teen who shows him how to survive. They journey into various villages, meeting people who will help them on their quest. There's a lot more going on in this well-written adventure. Readers will be reminded of Lois Lowry's The Giver (1993) and Gathering Blue (2000,both Houghton) (assigned jobs and isolated, barbaric civilizations post-disaster), Rodman Philbrick's The Last Book in the Universe (Scholastic, 2000) (pollution, disease, and illiteracy), and even Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 (Turtleback, 1953) (aversion to books and independent thought). In addition, older readers will notice biblical references, Buddhist elements, Eastern ideas, and metaphysical concepts. All in all, an entertaining and promising start.
- Trevelyn Jones, School Library Journal, January 2004
At the age of fifteen Roan's village was destroyed in an incursion, along with his parents. He was taken under the wing of a group called the Brothers. He tried to find out more about the Brothers' beliefs, and when he discovered the truth, Roan fled into the dreadful Devastation. There he finds Lumpy, who becomes a faithful friend. As he travels onward he sees visions, that guide his way. His visions eventually guide him to Alandra. Together they plan and attempt a terrifying journey to freedom.
The book, The Dirt Eaters, is the first of The Longlight Legacy written by Vancouver author, Dennis Foon. He has also written Skud and Double or Nothing, and is currently working on Freewalker,the sequel to The Dirt Eaters. The Dirt Eaters is a soft-cover fantasy novel with 313 pages. It is suitable for intermediates with good comprehension and reading capabilities.
I really enjoyed The Dirt Eaters and can't wait to read the next one. The book looks fairly thick and daunting. My first thought was "Oh no, that's going to take forever to read." When done, I wished it had gone on forever. Despite its length, I was disappointed when I'd finished it (not because the ending was bad!), but because I wanted to read more about the Longlight Legacy." A definite 5 star book. *****
- Hayley, Sarah's Stars
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