Fall Reading 2013 Sky Jumpers

Hope and her friends live in the time after World War III. Because of the problems associated with nuclear weapons, people had created "Green Bombs" which were used during the war. They had odd side-effects including a layer of air called the Bomb's Breath. It hovers at a specific height and is too dense to breathe. It is colorless, so many people wandered into it and suffocated before they realized it was dangerous. But Hope and her friend Aaren have discovered something else about it - you can jump into it from above and it slows your fall so that you can do all sorts of flips and tricks in it before you come out the bottom of the layer and land. This is one thing that Hope is better at than others in White Rock. This ability allows Hope and her friends to stage a remarkable rescue when their town gets into trouble. 

Although this is a post-apocalyptic story, it is not dystopian fiction. Civilization continues and the cities are run by elected councils. Children still attend school and have chores. There is even science fair of sorts. Once a year everyone celebrates the Harvest Festival and they have Inventions Day. Since much of the technology from before the war no longer works, everyone works hard at inventing things to make life easier. Inventors are honored and their names are carved on the Difference of One stone - a memorial for great inventions. But the town learns an important lesson that other strengths are important to notice and honor, too.

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting, fast-paced, and full of excitement and dangers to be overcome with friendship and bravery. 

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley. It was published on September 14, 2013. The author, Peggy Eddleman, has her own blog with more information about her. Check out the trailer, too.