Every week we are featuring one of the brilliant books in the running for the 2013 Guardian children's fiction prize. This week it's After Tomorrow by Gillian Cross.
What's the book about?
Money is worthless, food is scarce, friends can't be trusted and robbery with violence is commonplace in this near-future dystopia set after the collapse of British banks. Matt's mum does all she can to keep her family going by storing supplies and growing her own vegetables. But when their home is raided and the family are condemned as hoarders or "scadgers", they are forced to flee to safety on one of the last trains through the Channel Tunnel. For Matt and his little brother Taco, life in a makeshift French refugee camp throws up unexpected pressures. Who can they trust? What are the rules? What is now right and wrong? Tangible dangers force the boys to make hard choices in this sure-footed adventure, set in a morally and economically bankrupt future.
Find out more about the book
Now's your chance to read the book, hear from the author, write a review and enter our young critics' prize.
Read the first chapter of After Tomorrow
Discover Gillian Cross's top 10 books about being different
The refugee story behind the book
Gillian Cross answers your questions about After Tomorrow
The truth behind After Tomorrow - a gallery
Write your review!
The Young Critics competition is for all young readers to share their views on any of the longlisted books. Anyone under 16 can enter by writing a review of no more than 200 words of one of the books longlisted for the prize. Individuals or school classes can enter and there are great prizes to be won.
You can find out more and enter here.
Two of the Guardian's top children's books critics, Philip Ardagh and Linda Buckley-Archer have given some great advice on writing book reviews. And, of course, it must all be your own work. If you decide to quote from anybody else's review, then you MUST credit them.
Or comment!
If you'd just like to share a quick comment about the book, email it to childrens.books@guardian.co.uk and we'll add it to this page
Find out more about the Guardian children's fiction prize book club
Next week's book: Katherine Rundell's Rooftoppers
