Clever plot? Yes. Thought provoking? Yes.

A mix of a dystopia and a modern plot, this novel provokes the reader to consider how fear can both control and taint one’s actions.

Fear also has the ability to control perspectives. For young Razzi, the adults in her life have allowed fear to shape their lives and their children’s.

As for the choice of the greyhound in the book, felt that the characteristics of that breed were apt for the message the author was imparting.

Pacing of the plot was spot on.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Scholastic | Scholastic Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#Outside #NetGalley

Razzi and her family, along with several other families, have been living at the Refuge ever since "The Poisoning" which took place before the kids can remember. They all work together to continue to survive in their enclosed mansion always on guard for "The Poisoned" who sometimes breach the compound and are very dangerous.

The children are all trying to cope and process the death of one of their fellows who recently died from a tragic accident while trying to sneak a peek at the outside world. While still trying to move on from that tragedy, Razzi herself suffers a life-threatening heart condition and is forced to get a transplant. Thankfully, one of their adults is a surgeon and is able to procure a heart from a greyhound that saves her life.

After the transplant, Razzi stars experiencing changes in her moods, appetites, and senses. As she tries to understand and explain these changes, Razzi starts discovering and questioning many of the truths she's been taught for her whole life.

I loved this take on a dystopian setting. I think the questions this book raises about safety versus truth and freedom are very timely and will make for some great classroom discussions in our post-Covid world. I'm looking forward to having others-students and adults alike-to discuss these things with.

All Razzi and her friends have ever know is life in the refuge. After the Great Poisoning their parents had found a safe place to hide and build a new life. When a tragedy occurs and Razzi has a huge change she begins to question everything she thought she knew. Maybe life on the Outside is safer than she had ever been told?

This middle grades book is a thrilling dystopia with a cataclysmic twist, although to any reader who has also seen The Village, it may be somewhat predictable after the first third of the story. I did enjoy the dual character (girl/greyhound), but I would have liked to have that storyline further developed as well more encounters with the Poisoned while the main character was lost in Outside. A great idea, the story just needs a bit more detail. Will definitely read the author in the future as there is plenty of potential here.

Net Galley Feedback

First I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me an early release copy of this book. I enjoyed reading it. It probably fell more around a 3.75 for me. I felt bad for the children in this book, especially since I felt like they were trapped inside for no real reason. I feel like it was a little chaotic in that it tried to cram many things into one book. Razzi gets a greyhound heart, feels the greyhound inside of her/shares its memories, runs off to find the greyhound’s long lost friend, finds out the world didn’t end and meets her family for the first time. For this sort of rushed feeling and the feeling of jumping here jumping there and not being able to decide which of the storylines mattered most to me, I didn’t feel like it was a full 4 star read. But the ending was very heartfelt and had me tear up a little. An overall enjoyable reading experience.

Twelve-year-old Razzi is growing up with her parents, little brother, six other children, and their parents in a place they call The Refuge. The Refuge is exactly what it sounds like, a place of safety and comfort. The Refuge is the only place the children have any recollection of living. This is home even though 7 children along with their parents all live in this run down mansion within a huge courtyard surrounded by a high wall. Its nice enough and it keeps them safe from The Poisoned. These are the people who survived the nuclear war but we’re mentally poisoned and will kill you if they catch you. The children never go Outside, due to the significance of the danger. Instead, once or twice a year, they are allowed to go in the ample walled off garden surrounding the building they call home. On these rare occasions, they get to briefly smell the fresh air, see clouds, feel the sun and run around!

Things would have gone on like this forever if Ollie hadn’t died. Ollie was the strong willed child who always longed to be Outside. The children were forbidden to visit the attic which has access to the more alluring roof. Desiring to see the beauty and freshness of the Outside, one night Ollie sneaks out to view the stars and breathe fresh air where he stepped on a loose tile and fell to his death. Razzi is the oldest and is expected to lead the other kids and keep them from making unwise decisions like Ollie’s. Therefore she feels responsible for Ollie’s death. But after an unplanned yet necessary surgery, Razzi suddenly wants to be outside too. She has been given a heart transplant from a greyhound dog and it works perfectly, except now here senses are much highlighted, she now loves the canned ham she used to despise, and chase is her favorite pastime. Now, SHE has the keen urge to go Outside. Razzi finally gives in to her desire. She hides under a tarp,in the pickup truck so she can get Outside the next day when Rusty goes out on a Raid for supplies. Then every thing changed.

I’m not sure of the genre here, dystopian, sci-fi, mystery, but it will be a popular choice for middle grade readers. Having read, Haddix’ Running Out of Time I had the climax figured out. The why that this situation even occurred became the thought provoking moment for me. This could be especially true with suspicious and over protective parents in a 21st century society plagued with school shootings, highly contagious viruses and other life threatening events.

I thought the story sad for the children as well as the parents but happy that Razzi had the courage to go Outside.

The best description I can give for this book is 'chaotic'. It couldn't seem to decide if it wanted to be cozy, spooky, eerie, or cutesy, and as a result was just plain unsatisfying. This is just Running Out Of Time but poorly written. I was disappointed!

Thank you to Scholastic and Netgalley for the digital arc.
For several years, a group of families have lived within in the walls of the Refuge, safe from the chaos of the outside world. Alarms warn the residents of possible intruders, and no one leaves the compound except one or two of the adults who venture out to barter for supplies. The children are rarely allowed to play ouside. After one of the children dies when he falls from the roof in his quest to draw the outside, his best friend decides to venture beyond the walls. This heavily theme driven plot stands firmly on the events and a satisfying conclusion gives hope
#Outside

I am a big fan of some of Jennifer L. Holm's other books, particularly The Lion of Mars. I did not know what to expect going into this one, and it certainly surprised me. The story is so fast paced, but not a lot happens for most of the story, it's a lot of character exposition, but I still wish we had gotten to know some characters better, like Ray.

This story to me was a mix of Running Out of Time by Margaret Petersen Haddix and Spirit Animals by Brandon Mull. I don't know what genre I'd place this one in. It seems dystopian until the twist, isn't quite survival, and the dog heart gives it a strong fantasy.

An interesting premise and a fast read. I'd recommend it to fans of the previously mentioned books.

There used to be seven kids, but now there's only six. As the oldest kid, Razzi is responsible for making sure that the remaining kids don't attempt to go into the Outside. The parents have told the kids that after the last war in which most of the population was killed by poison gas that Outside their compound is just too dangerous. They practice intruder alerts, survive off of canned rations and live in fear of attack. But Razzi now feels compelled to know about the Outside. After she stows away in the bed of a truck that is going on a "scavenging" hunt for supplies, Razzi must trust her heart to bring her to what she is searching for outside the compound's walls. What she finds will change all of their lives forever.

Life in the compound is clearly written and for the kids living there it is just regular life. Like "The City of Ember", it is only when Razzi leaves the compound that she discovers the truth about her secluded life. Young readers will feel the fear in Razzi's heart as well as the thrill and confusion about what she discovers Outside.

Outside is a short but chilling middle-grade dystopian story that packs a surprising punch. Jennifer L. Holm creates an eerie, claustrophobic atmosphere from the very first page, with kids raised in an underground bunker after a mysterious catastrophe. The narrative has a steady, creeping tension as you try to piece together what happened to the world “outside,” and Holm does a great job capturing the blend of curiosity, fear, and resilience in her young protagonist.

The pacing is brisk—perfect for younger readers who want suspense without getting bogged down—and the ending leaves you unsettled in the best way, raising questions that linger after the last page. While the story is intentionally sparse (and some readers may wish for more world-building), the simplicity makes it all the more haunting.

If you liked The City of Ember or Among the Hidden, you’ll probably enjoy this one. It’s a quick, thought-provoking read that’s both unsettling and strangely hopeful.

What a fabulous story! I had not read the full description so I never saw that twist coming! Razzi has such a big responsibility being the oldest kid and being expected to keep everyone else in order. They all look up to her which is a lot of pressure for someone so young in a dangerous situation. What is outside the walls though? Will Razzi find what she is looking for? Such a captivating story and so well told by Jennifer Holm!

Jennifer L. Holm takes us inside "The Refuge" where Razzi and a few other children are being raised to NEVER GO OUTSIDE. Their parents are protecting them from the world after the great poisoning killed off most of the population. This is a dark look at fears and the actions that can result from them, As the story unfold, Razzi and readers have more questions about what is happening outside the walls of the refuge. What happens if she goes outside in search of answers?

Razzi and her family (including her little brother, Bing) live with other families in the Refuge, an abandoned mansion where they hide from the Poisoned, those who were contaminated by global chemical warfare in the not-so-distant future. After an odd organ transplant, Razzi is not quite herself and risks everything to see Outside.

I had a hard time categorizing this one -- at first it seemed like dystopian or science fiction, similar to Holm's The Lion of Mars. However, after the transplant, it seemed more like fantasy, and after the truth is revealed, it reminded me of City of Ember or any other novel in which children are lied to.

For me it was too illogical and disjointed -- it's called Outside, but she doesn't leave the Refuge until two-thirds of the way through the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Scholastic for the ARC.

I am sad to say this one book was a disappointment for me. Nothing really happened until the very end of the story. Most of it the story focused on life on the Refuge and how the adults wont let the kids go Outside because everyone was killed by war or disease and are now The Poisoned. With the genre being post-apocalyptic, I thought I would devour this book and love it. However…the book takes a HUGE twist that I didn’t see coming, and it was…intriguing, but most of the book was honestly such a drag. Although I am the only person who finds The Boxcar children boring and most people adore the classic tale. The Boxcar Children is even alluded to in the story, so I guess fans of Boxcar Children might find this book more entertaining than I did. The characters felt very flimsy, the dialogue felt forced, and the writing just felt very simple and dull. Sadly, it was not a hit for me but it may simply be NOT my cup of tea.

Outside by Jennifer L. Holm is an interesting story of a group seeking refuge in a mansion compound due to an end of the world event. Following along with the inter workings of this group gave off cozy family vibes. Outside, fresh air and the company of others is off limits. The kids have close bonds and enjoy the day to day. When one of the children decides to escape and see the outside world what she discovers changes the course of everyone she loves lives.

Outside dives into many different themes, this book is most certainly on the 12+ age for readers due to the ending subject matter.

Thank you to Scholastic for the advanced reader copy via Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

The setting for this story was unique in that the majority of the novel took place in a mansion. The descriptions of each room and activities that took place there were detailed enough to make them easy to visualize. The main characters were well developed and easy to connect with. I was very surprised by a twist that took place and am not sure how I felt about it. This would be a good novel for a middle school grade group to read and discuss. There are a lot of themes that could be explored.

Thank you to #NetGalley for an eARC of #Outside in exchange for honest feedback.

Review of eBook

Razzi dreams of Outside. All she knows of the world comes from books and old movies. Of course, she knows it is dangerous to even think about leaving the Refuge, but she dreams of running Outside.

It had been more than a decade since the Great Poisoning, but the poison that had showered down from the sky killed most living things, people and animals alike. The survivors believed there were Searchers looking for them . . . and that, if they were found, they would be killed.

At twelve, Razzi was the oldest and, therefore, the First. It was her responsibility to guide the other children to make good choices. But an unexpected event changes her perspective and one day she decides to stow away in Rusty’s truck when he goes Outside to find supplies.

What will Razzi find Outside?

=========

The target audience for this seemingly-dystopian tale is the young reader, ages nine through twelve, grades four through seven. With characters that young readers will find relatable and an unexpected plot twist, the unfolding story focuses on resilience, cooperation, and family.

However, there are some disconnects here that tend to leave the reader puzzled. How, after such an apocalyptic event as has been described, are there sufficient supplies for so many batches of chocolate chip cookies, muffins, and pancakes? How are there boxes and boxes of macaroni and cheese? Tomato sauce, canned ham, cartons of evaporated milk, canned peaches and oranges? Lollipops? It seems rather improbable that so much would survive the Great Poisoning and be readily available for the people inside the Refuge. [Perhaps it is a portent of things to come?]

All in all, “Outside” is eminently readable, is certain to be a favorite of middle school readers, and is sure to provide much food for thought.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Scholastic / Scholastic Press and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#Outside #NetGalley

I enjoyed reading this story. Of a first glance of the front cover and the book blurb on the back, I was immediately drawn in. The art on the front pops out and what I appreciate about the blurb on the back was, one, it said enough to give me an idea of the kind of story I would be reading while creating questions and curiosity, and, two, the back definitely did not spoil the story like I have known so many other summaries to do. In fact, I had one idea about the story and was wrong (in a good way).
The story itself was very interesting. The first-person point of view in my opinion was a very good choice for this story. Following the main character Razzi in a place where she was never allowed outside. While this didn't bother her at first as we get to see the connection a life she lives inside "the Refuge", things begin to go wrong, and she has a difficult choice to make. I got to experience so much of the struggle and questions with Razzi, and never venturing out beyond her perspective really helped with creating curiosity and receiving only the answers she received (and then whatever my own understanding of life outside of Razzi's understanding allowed). This all helped keep the story moving along even though it isn't a high action book.
The character development was well handled, and I felt and sympathized and struggled and wondered right along with Razzi.
The setting was described enough to get an idea of where she lived without dragging it all out.
Also, what I appreciate about the end was that, while it had a kind of happy ending it left some problems unfixed, but with hope, in such way that I think is very sympathetic with reality. This, for me, allowed a believability to the story.
Overall, it was a simple read but very well written. I enjoyed it and wouldn't mind reading it again.

A quick read because you won't want to put the book down! Razzi lives at the Refuge with her parents and brother, as well as a few other families. They spend their day staying safe inside at all times, away from "The Poisoned". They have school and chores, and time to play. When Razzi decides to sneak away, she's worried about running into a Poisoned person, but takes a chance anyway and goes. Will she find what she's looking for, or will it be a big mistake?





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I liked that the author showed how Razzi and the other children were getting help with a therapist to help them deal with their feelings and living away from the Refuge and from their parents. Having so many family members was also a nice touch. A little far fetched was that Razzi actually finds The Dealer's home, but it worked for the story. I'd love a sequel to see how far the children have come along and what ends up happening to their parents in court.