Downsiders

I bought this book for my 11 year old daughter. She has a Pre-AP English class next year and they gave her a summer assignment. She is to read this and answer some questions on the content. Well, it only took her about a week to read it! She loved it and would talk about the characters every day. The book arrived in perfect condition and in a timely manner.

This was my favorite books whenever I was in the 4th grade. I am 22 now and rediscovered it and love it way more now. Its not a challenging read but very interesting and thought provoking.

In Downsiders, the main character, Talon is a 14 year-old Downside boy. He lives in the Downside, a city under New York. In the Downside, there are laws that each and every Downsider must follow. These laws are important motivational tools for Talon to function in the Downside. In the first part of the book, Talon’s sister Pidge gets really sick. This makes Talon motivated to break the rules to help her get better. Talon is very scared, so he goes to the Topside to find medication.You learn from this book that there could be many other worlds beyond the world we live in today. “Perhaps thought Talon, there was a path in between a way to shed their ignorance without losing their souls”. (Downsiders). This shows that there could be a different “side.” Talon hopes to find a way to help the Downside forget about all the rumors of the Topside.The rising actions include the following: Talon meeting Lindsey, taking Lindsey to the Downside, Talon getting flushed, Talon coming back to the Topside to meet Lindsay again, and Talon going to the Chamber of Soft Walls. This all leads up to the climax, Lindsay brings Talon a folder that contains the truth of the Downside. Should Talon open it? Next is the falling action. The Downside gets discovered by the Topside, when a construction vehicle accidently falls into the Downside. Then the Downsiders end up blowing up half of their city. “I suppose you can’t call yourself Downsiders any more.” This quote helps explain the resolution without giving it away.“Talon drew her through grunge-ridden passage ways void of light and filled with sour, befouled air. Drips of water sounded like a heavy ball being bounced; skittering pebbles seemed more like a flood of rats, and the walls themselves moaned in oppressive sorrow.” (Downsiders) This quote explains setting of the subway/sewer part of the city.There’s a piece of paper in my front pocket, said Talon. Lindsay reached into his pocket and pulled out the paper. These are antibiotics. Do you have any? They’re for my little sister.” (Downsiders) The quote used here shows the conflict Talon has with the rule that you can’t go to the Topside.My rating for this book is 4 out of 5. My reason is the book was really good, but it needed more detail at the end, just to explain and what the characters did after the end of the story.

I've read most of Mr. Shusterman's stuff. This was a delightful read - and I'm not a teenager :)

I have read around ten of Neal Shustermans books and I love them all! Other people have already given a synopsis so no need for me to do that. I really just wanted to push more people to read this amazing book. Also read his books; The Eyes of Kid Midas, The Dark Side of Nowhere, The Unwind dystology, The Everlost trilogy!

I enjoyed reading "Downsiders", by Neal Shusterman, as I did the last book I read from this author, "Unwind". Problem is this story, although good, isn't as sophisticated and didn't connect with me as solidly. Other reviewers explain the story as being about people living underground, directly below where the rest of us reside. And although the concept isn't novel, as others have used similar themes, Mr. Shusterman's weaving of the characters and unique handling of the contrasts between those above and below, and the exceptional relationship between the male and female protagonists make for a fun reading experience - it truly is a witty fantasy. It's a short read, though, only 246 pages and I'd have preferred another chapter or two if only to expore further the three extraordinary secondary characters involvement in the story. Three and a half stars.

The book was really good about mysterious worlds that may or may not exist below us! The ending left lists of questions.

Great book for middle schoolers! The 7th grader that I read it with truly enjoyed it and was engaged by the plot, characters and pace of the story.