2020 
Ben Spies
Spies Publishing
pub. 2019

April 06, 2021

2020, a young adult science fiction book by Ben Spies, is about the journey of a mother and her son around the world.

Jacob and Susan are the main characters. Jacob is a very sweet, sometimes shy, nice boy with a very smart attitude. I found him easy to relate to, with his calm but bubbly personality. Susan is a very smart and independent lady with a very strong personality.

Susan is high up in the space organisation NASA when the US President tells the world that it only has a few months left to live. The people in Florida do not take it well. The whole world starts to riot and nowhere is safe.

Susan and Jacob fly to the mythical Area Fifty One Base but they struggle along the way and it’s an unpredictable journey. Will they make it to the bunker? Will the plants live or will they all die instead? When an unsuspecting creature saves the day, will the people of the world accept the help?

I feel the aim of this book is to open our eyes to the things happening around the world, and that if we don’t start trying to improve our environment this is what could happen, except we may not be as lucky as Susan and Jacob were.

One thing I really liked about the book was the plot. It was fantastic, and all about adventure and our climate. 2020 is a very captivating story, with a twist that really hooks in the reader.

With the characters making changes to their lives and keeping each other safe and well, and helping each other to reach their final destination, I actually found this book quite inspirational.

2020 was a very good read. I found it exciting and captivating and it sends the reader a great message. I really feel like 2020 is a book that should be on your next to-read list.

• Hannah Richards is 12 and a student at Marlborough Girl’s College.