The Second Alamo — Andrea White

Pepe Tyson is a fourteen-year-old orphan with only two true companions: his dogs. Under the authoritarian command of the County, everyone over age fourteen has a Vigor Chip placed in his or her neck. When a virus disrupts the County's network, people with an implant chip become immobile. With the adults out of commission, chaos ensues. In order to survive, Pepe must form bonds with adolescents his own age―something he's never done before. Pepe struggles to find his voice in a newly formed group of friends who are taking refuge in the Alamo Rest Stop. However, his innate skills soon become evident, and he is thrust into a leadership role. When the County attempts to reinstate its authoritarian rule, Pepe and his four friends must defend the Alamo Rest Stop from dangerous, chipped foes. Pepe could leave and escape―or he could fight. Will Pepe and his friends be victorious and mount a counter-siege on the County's authoritarian command system? Or will Pepe fail his new family and himself? “The Second Alamo” which has 52,183 words is similar to The Lord of the Flies by William Golding in that the children, left to their own devices, revisit the sins of the fathers. Given the opportunity to revert to a pre-authoritarian lifestyle, they divide into opposing sides, and commit six of the seven deadly sins along their way. Only their youth stops them from running the whole gamut. The book also resembles the lesser known Tripod series written by John Christopher in 1967 in that life in the villages is simple but highly regulated and the evil of the government is sparingly described. I believe young readers will relate to Pepe's vulnerability and loyalty as he struggles to make sense of his authoritarian world.