The White Mountains (The Tripods, Book One) by John Christopher (1967)
This is one of my wife’s favorite childhood books, and she’s read it multiple times with our kids as they’ve grown up. This was my first time reading it, though, and I kept wishing my ten-year-old self had read it back in the day; he would loved every bit of it. Alas, that was not the case, but my forty-eight-year-old self enjoyed it just fine. John Christopher does a wonderful job of creating a seemingly idyllic backdrop for his tale of humanity enslaved by the mysterious Tripods, and the young boys who decide — foolishly, perhaps — to abandon everything in their quest for freedom. The book’s main protagonist, thirteen-year-old Will Parker, is a likable enough fellow, with just enough flaws and fearlessness to remind you of his young age. The White Mountains does end somewhat abruptly, which I suppose is all the more reason to read its sequel.
I may earn an affiliate commission on items you buy through Opus. These commissions will go directly to support the site and my blogging.