Book Review: The Only Ones by Aaron Starmer

Hello, all and happy new year!  Over the holiday break I finished reading The Only Ones by Starmer.  It was a very unique concept to me.  I have read lots-o-end-of -the-world scenarios, but this one was a little different.  No weird diseases, weapons of mass destruction or anything - just a giant mystery.  I rather liked it.  You are introduced to Martin Maples, a boy who has lived his whole life on a secluded island with his father and a machine on which his father is constantly working.  The only contacts he has with the outside world are the summer tourists and books.  One day Martin's father embarks on a journey to locate pieces for his machine, and he promises to return.  The problem is, he never does.  Martin waits for two years, during which no one visits the island.  Finally Martin decided to venture out into the world on his own, but he discovers it is not like it is described in his books - the world has been abandoned as well.  He meets a boy that tells him of a village of kids that are living together not too far away - just sniff around for peanuts and he'll find it.  He does, and here Martin meets kids that have also been left behind.  Each has a peculiarity, and each does not seem to mind so much that the entire world has disappeared.  Here Martin discovers that he might be able to help them all return to their families, but not all of the children think that is a good idea.  This book is part Left Behind, part Lord of the Flies, and all good stuff!!  The ending tied up all the loose ends, albeit a bit too neatly, and there is a murder thrown in for drama, but overall it is a great mystery and an interesting read.  I just want to know what happened to Nigel!!  I am recommending this to my dystopian kids as well as my mystery buffs.