Everlost

Last updated
Everlost
Everlost.jpg
The cover of Everlost
Author Neal Shusterman
LanguageEnglish
SeriesSkinjacker Trilogy
Genre Fantasy
Publisher Simon & Schuster
Publication date
2007
Media typePrint (hardback & e-book) [1]
Pages492
ISBN 1-84738-504-4
OCLC 62282121
Followed by Everwild  

Everlost is a fantasy book published in 2006 by the young adult author Neal Shusterman. The story is the first in the Skinjacker trilogy that takes place in Everlost, the place between life and death.

Contents

Setting

Everlost is a place between life and death where some children end up after getting lost in their journey to the afterlife. These lost children, or Afterlights as they are called, are unseen by the living world. The afterlights for the most part cannot interact with the real world and will sink to the Earth's core if they stay still. It is implied that this fate has befallen to a great many afterlights. They can interact with certain objects that are loved so much by their owners that, when the object breaks, it crosses over to Everlost, unbroken, and is given a place there for eternity. The same is for certain places that were destroyed (the twin towers are used as an example) that were loved and cherished by many people and will never be forgotten. There are no adults in Everlost presumably because they know where they are going.

Plot

Nick and Allie, who have just awoken in a ghostly parallel to the real world, are saved by a boy named Lief, who tells them that they are called "Afterlights" who cannot be seen by the living. They are somewhat like ghosts and retain the exact appearance they had when they died. He warns them of a dreaded and evil monster, the McGill, and Johnnie-O, and the altar boys before they make their way to New York City. There, they meet Mary Hightower, the "mother" of Afterlights who keeps many Afterlights safe and is the author of hundreds of books about living in Everlost. She lives with the children under her care in the destroyed World Trade Center, which exists because things that are much beloved in the world can cross into Everlost when they are destroyed. They settle down, but Allie is not content. Allie notices other Afterlights at the Twin Towers keep repeating and doing the same thing every day, becoming stuck in ruts. Allie sets out with Nick and Lief to see whether he has special powers and they meet The Haunter. Allie gets Lief and Nick captured by The Haunter and learns that she can pick up living things and also possess living people, or "Skinjack". Allie explores her power while Nick begins to discover his own purpose.

Allie is captured by the McGill, a grotesque monster who controls a ship full of Afterlights who fear him. The McGill has taken hundreds of Afterlights, including Nick and Lief/Troy prisoner. They are all hung by their ankles like pieces of meat. Since fortune cookies in Everlost always tell the truth, McGill believes he can come back to life if he collects a thousand souls. Allie can manipulate the McGill and grow close to him as she attempts to save Nick and Lief. She makes him think that she can teach him to skinjack, even though only those who come to Everlost with the ability can. The real identity of the McGill is revealed—he is a boy named Mikey McGill, the younger brother of Mary Hightower (really Megan McGill). Mikey and Megan died at the same time and after they awoke as Afterlights they went to their home. There, Megan watched as Mikey sank into the earth. However, unbeknownst to her Mikey was able to claw his way out of the center of the Earth through pure force of will, but over time evolved into a hideous monster, reflective of his anger.

Mary, also known by others as the Sky Witch, had been lying to the children. She stole the coins that all Afterlights invariably have when they wake up. The coins allow them to leave Everlost when they are ready, but Mary misguidedly believes that the light at the end of the tunnel is malicious and that children should stay in Everlost forever. Nick receives the nickname "Chocolate Ogre" because of the chocolate stain on his face, and Mary spreads rumors about how he sends Afterlights away by luring them in with the smell of chocolate.

Allie outsmarts the McGill, who is unmasked by Mary and returned to the form of a human boy when Mary shows a picture of him. Allie, traveling home sinks through a bridge but is later saved by Mikey, who agrees to accompany her the rest of the way to her home.

Characters

Awards

The book Everlost has won the following awards: [4] [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Child actor</span> Child acting on stage or in motion pictures or television

The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting on stage, television, or in movies. An adult who began their acting career as a child may also be called a child actor, or a "former child actor". Closely associated terms include teenage actor or teen actor, an actor who gained popularity as a teenager.

<i>Unfabulous</i> Television series

Unfabulous is an American teen sitcom that aired on Nickelodeon. The series is about an "unfabulous" middle schooler named Addie Singer, played by Emma Roberts. The show, which premiered on September 12, 2004, was one of the most-watched programs in the U.S. among children between the ages of 10 and 16. It was created by Sue Rose, who previously created two animated series Pepper Ann and Angela Anaconda, and co-created the character Fido Dido with Joanna Ferrone. The series ended on December 16, 2007, with the final episode titled "The Best Trip Ever".

Jennifer Mary Armstrong is an American children's writer known for both fiction and non-fiction. She was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, grew up outside of New York City, and now lives in Saratoga Springs, New York. She was formerly married to the author James Howard Kunstler.

<i>The Maze of the Beast</i> 2001 Book by Jennifer Rowe (as Emily Rodda)

The Maze of the Beast is the sixth book in the Deltora Quest novel series, written by Emily Rodda. It was published in 2001 by Scholastic.

Deltora Quest is the collective title for three distinct series of children's fantasy books, written by Australian author Emily Rodda. It follows the adventures of three companions as they journey across the fictitious land of Deltora, endeavouring to recover the seven gems stolen from the magical Belt of Deltora and defeat allies of the evil Shadow Lord. The series was first published in Australia in 2000 and has since been published in more than 30 countries. The series has sold over 18 million copies worldwide, including over 2 million in Australia. It is published by Scholastic in Australia and the United States. In most countries, the series is illustrated by Marc McBride.

Gravedale High is an animated series produced by Hanna-Barbera for NBC Productions. The series premiered in the fall of 1990 on NBC as part of its Saturday morning children's lineup and lasted thirteen episodes.

<i>The Lake of Tears</i> 2001 childrens fantasy novel by Jennifer Rowe (as Emily Rodda)

The Lake of Tears is the second book in the eight-volume Deltora Quest series written by Emily Rodda. It continues after the events of The Forests of Silence, as the three protagonists brave various dangers on their journey to find the seven missing gems of Deltora. The book was first published in 2001 by Scholastic.

<i>Parent Trap III</i> 1989 television film

Parent Trap III is a 1989 American made-for-television comedy film and a sequel to The Parent Trap II (1986) and the third installment in The Parent Trap series. It originally aired in two parts as a presentation of The Magical World of Disney on April 9 and 16, 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Mikey</span> Advertising character

Little Mikey is a fictional boy played by John Gilchrist in an American television commercial promoting Quaker Oats' breakfast cereal Life. The ad was created by art director Bob Gage, who also directed the commercial. It first aired in 1971. The popular ad campaign featuring Mikey remained in regular rotation for more than 12 years and was one of the longest continuously running commercial campaigns.

<i>The Chocolate Touch</i> Book by Patrick Skene Catling

The Chocolate Touch is a children's book by Patrick Skene Catling, first published in the US in 1957. John Midas is delighted when, through a magical gift, everything his lips touch turns into chocolate. The story is patterned after the myth of King Midas, whose magic turned everything he touched into gold. The original illustrations were by Mildred Coughlin McNutt, but another edition in the same year, a "newly illustrated" edition, had illustrations by Margot Apple and more pages.

<i>Unwind</i> (novel) 2007 novel by Neal Shusterman

Unwind is a 2007 dystopian novel by young adult literature author Neal Shusterman. It takes place in the United States in the near future. After the Second Civil War, which was labeled "The Heartland War", was fought over abortion, a compromise was reached, allowing parents to sign an order for their children between the ages of 13 and 18 to be "unwound" — taken to "harvest camps" and dissected into their body parts for later use. The reasoning is that, since 99.44% of the body is used, unwinds do not technically die because their individual body parts live on.

<i>Cavern of the Fear</i> 2002 Book by Jennifer Rowe (as Emily Rodda)

Cavern of The Fear is the first book in the Deltora Quest 2 series written by Emily Rodda. It was published by Scholastic in 2002. The story follows the adventures of Lief, Jasmine, and Barda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everwild</span> Book by Neal Shusterman

Everwild is a 2009 fantasy novel by American young adult author Neal Shusterman. The book is the second book in the Skinjacker Trilogy, which takes place in Everlost, a limbo-like place between life and death.

<i>The Hunger Games</i> Young adult book series by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games is a series of young adult dystopian novels written by American author Suzanne Collins. The first three novels are part of a trilogy following teenage protagonist Katniss Everdeen, and the fourth book is a prequel set 64 years before the original.

<i>Life with Boys</i> Canadian TV series or program

Life with Boys is a Canadian teen sitcom that aired in Canada on YTV from September 9, 2011 through August 27, 2013. The sitcom stars Torri Webster, Madison Pettis, Nathan McLeod, Michael Murphy, Jake Goodman, and Sandy Jobin-Bevans. The show follows Tess Foster (Webster) as she copes with living in a home with just boys: her widowed father Jack (Jobin-Bevans) and Gabe (McLeod), Spencer (Goodman), and Sam (Murphy), who are her brothers. With the help of her best friend Allie (Pettis), she pulls through. Life with Boys is created by Michael Poryes, who also co-created Hannah Montana and That's So Raven.

<i>Everfound</i> (novel) 2011 novel by Neal Shusterman

Everfound is a fantasy novel published in 2011 by Neal Shusterman. It is the third and final book of the Skinjacker trilogy.

<i>Bachelor in Paradise</i> (American season 2) Season of television series

The second season of Bachelor in Paradise premiered on August 2, 2015. Chris Harrison reprises his role from The Bachelor and The Bachelorette as the host of the show.

<i>Alive</i> (novel)

Alive is a 2015 dystopian young adult novel by American author Scott Sigler and the first book in the Generations Trilogy. The book was first published in hardback, e-book, and audiobook format on July 14, 2015, through Del Rey. The second book in the series, Alight, released on April 6, 2016.

The Sin Eater's Daughter is a young adult fantasy trilogy written by British YA author Melinda Salisbury and published by Scholastic Press. The first book in the trilogy, The Sin Eater's Daughter, was published in 2015 on 24 February and marked Salisbury's first book in print. The second book in the trilogy, The Sleeping Prince, was published the following year. A short story prequel, The King of Rats, was also released that year but only as an exclusive print edition at Young Adult Literature Convention in London. The third and final book in the trilogy, The Scarecrow Queen, was released in 2017. Later in 2017, a short story collection set in the same world, The Heart Collector, was released. This included The King of Rats and two brand new short stories entitled The Heart Collector and Mully No-Hands.

References

  1. "Everlost (2006) (The first book in the Skinjacker Trilogy series) A novel by Neal Shüsterman". Fantastic Fiction. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Everlost". Shelfari. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  3. "Everwild". Shelfari. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  4. "Ever Lost". Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  5. Everlost (Part of Skinjacker Trilogy, The) . Simon & Schuster. October 2006. ISBN   9780689872372 . Retrieved January 19, 2011.