In this thrilling sci-fi adventure, epic danger and impossible odds are no match for one girl's courage

Twelve-year-old Hope lives in White Rock, a town of inventors struggling to recover from World War III. But adventurous Hope is terrible at inventing. She would much rather sneak off to cliff dive into the Bomb's Breath, the deadly band of air that surrounds the town.

When bandits invade White Rock to steal its greatest invention--priceless antibiotics--the town is left with a heartbreaking choice: hand over the medicine and die from disease, or die fighting the bandits. Help lies in a neighboring town, but the bandits count everyone fourteen and older each hour. Now Hope and her friends Aaren and Brock are only ones who can escape through the Bomb's Breath.

For once, the daring and rebelliousness that usually get Hope into trouble might just save them all.

A Texas Library Association's Bluebonnet Award Selection

"Eddleman brings a strong sense of atmosphere to this post-apocalyptic coming-of-age piece, and the underlying message--that it's possible to contribute in unexpected ways--is a positive one." --Publishers Weekly