In Tomorrow, When the War Began war is what's goin' down in the Aussie 'hood, and it is no good. Our big group of teen friends goes on a camping trip only to suddenly find themselves without homes, family, or friends upon their return. While they've been sleeping under the stars, war has broken out and everyone in their town has been taken captive. Whoa. War causes pretty much every major obstacle the characters in this book encounter, forcing them to grow-up fast, becoming self-reliant and organizing against the invading military in hopes of eventually saving their families.
Questions About War
- How is war portrayed in this book? Is it just bad? Just good? More nuanced? Give evidence from the text to support your claim.
- What similarities and differences do you notice when it comes to how different characters feel about the war? What does this tell you about war?
- What effect does not knowing who the invading army is have on your understanding of the war as a reader? Why?
Chew on This
The war might be a giant mess, but it also inspires a lot of awesome growth in the Hell gang.
One of the biggest casualties of war in this book is the teenage characters' childhoods—they're forced to leave them behind pretty much overnight.