Q: What happens when an earthquake shuts down the local high school and Sandee Mason is faced with both physical and emotional shakeups? Here’s a brief summary:
In DISRUPTED Sandee Mason loves stage-managing, which gives her the importance she’s craved since her brother died in Afghanistan. When a 7.1 earthquake erupts, and two of the school’s wings slide off their foundations, classes and activities are canceled. Sandee is now coping with the emotional earthquake that erupted when her brother was killed in Afghanistan 6 months ago and the physical earthquake that ransacked her town. Will the fall play go up even though the campus is closed, her best friend moves away, and a new boy breaks more promises than he keeps?
Q: What happens when an earthquake shuts down the local high school and Sandee Mason is faced with both physical and emotional shakeups? Here’s a brief summary:
In DISRUPTED Sandee Mason loves stage-managing, which gives her the importance she’s craved since her brother died in Afghanistan. When a 7.1 earthquake erupts, and two of the school’s wings slide off their foundations, classes and activities are canceled. Sandee is now coping with the emotional earthquake that erupted when her brother was killed in Afghanistan 6 months ago and the physical earthquake that ransacked her town. Will the fall play go up even though the campus is closed, her best friend moves away, and a new boy breaks more promises than he keeps?
Wednesday, October 2, 2019 San Ramos High, Northern California
The earth pounded like a jack hammer. I dropped my phone and it bounced on the floor of the main hall at San Ramos High. As I grabbed it, the floor slammed into my feet again. That jack hammer was working overtime.
“Get in a doorway,” a booming voice called.
I knew that, so I was surprised when the current Student Council President came running toward me. The girl he was with said, “Chill. It’s nothing. A trembler—not an earthquake.” I must have looked worse than I thought because she stared for a minute before she asked, “You okay?”
I nodded.
“You’re Sandee Mason, right?” the Student Council President asked.
“That’s me.”
“I remember the assembly where you spoke about your brother last spring.”
I nodded. Here he was, in the job my brother, Bri, had two years ago, and I couldn’t help wondering if Bri wanted to tell me something or warn me about someone. He used to send me encouraging messages after he died – at least I thought he did – and I kind of hoped he was trying to get my attention now.
“Don’t worry, small quakes just release the tension between the plates. The big one’s further away than ever and it seems like it’s over now.” He pushed the hall door open for his girlfriend.
“Thanks,” I called after him. My dad had told Bri and me that factoid years ago.
I grabbed my books and stuffed them in my worn backpack, then slammed the door, which made as much noise as the under- earth pounding.
I was already five minutes late for rehearsal. Not good. Ms. G expected her actors to be prompt, and that went double for the stage manager—me.
The quake spooked me. So did the Student Council President. From the back he looked a lot like Bri, but Bri went to Afghanistan and the body parts they could find came back in a box.
Sandee Mason’s life gets turned upside down when a series of earthquakes hit her hometown of San Ramos, California. Her daily routine consisted of being stage manager of her school’s theater programs and hanging out with her best friend Diego, but now Sandee is starting to feel an overwhelming sense of confusion trying to navigate this new life-style that consists of so much uncertainty. Not to mention, still trying to overcome the loss of her older brother, Bri, to the war in Afghanistan. Disrupted is an honest look at overcoming adversity and discovering one's identity.
Even though Sandee faces much adversity at such a young age, she does not let it phase her. Instead, she decides to tackle it head-on and that’s what makes her character so compelling. She is the type of person that is always checking up on everyone else before she checks in with herself. I really enjoyed her overall outlook on life and the fact that she is so optimistic. Because of her optimism and reliability, most of her peers know that they can rely on her for anything and everything, especially when it comes to their theater program. Sandee’s ability to bring together her community by doing something that she is so passionate about is admirable and another reason why I found her character so captivating. Disrupted maintains a pretty even, medium pace, and I loved the overall theme of personal growth and development. In fact, I would argue that Sandee’s growth is the real star of the show. We watch her grow from this young girl struggling with grief into a young woman who is a strong, powerful leader and communicator.
Disrupted is a compelling coming of age story that is easy to digest and perfect for anyone who is looking for a quick read. This novel is the perfect addition to your TBR pile.