65 pages • 2 hours read
S.A. BodeenThe Compound
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2008A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In S.A. Bodeen's 2008 young adult novel The Compound, sixteen-year-old Eli and his family have lived in an underground compound for six years, believing a nuclear attack has destroyed the outside world. As resources dwindle and suspicions about their father's motives grow, Eli discovers the truth about their situation and ultimately leads his family to escape. The book contains themes involving the treatment of "supplements" as commodities, which may evoke strong emotional responses.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Compound by S.A. Bodeen offers a gripping and suspenseful narrative, appealing to young adult readers with its fast-paced storyline and intriguing premise. While praised for its originality and tension, some reviewers noted predictable plot twists and underdeveloped characters. Overall, it delivers a thrilling read but might fall short for those seeking deep character exploration.
Who Should Read The Compound?
Fans of dystopian thrillers and survival stories will enjoy S.A. Bodeen's The Compound. Readers who appreciated Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games and Lois Lowry's The Giver will find themselves captivated by the tense atmosphere and psychological depth. Ideal for teens and young adults seeking intense, thought-provoking narratives.
RecommendedReading Age
12+yearsLexile Level
570LBook Details
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride