An Introduction to Maggot Moon

In English class everyone has been forced to read an exact genre of book, that genre being dystopian fiction. The book I "chose," Maggot Moon, is written by Sally Gardner.


It seems to be set somewhere in Germany. Every now and then there are people clicking their heels, stiffly raising their right arms and hailing the Motherland. The protagonist, Standish Treadwell, lives in Zone Seven. It is a place scattered with bombed-out houses and dodgy neighbours here and there. While reading this book, there are constant reminders that everyone is being watched. Cameras at school, a man in coat with a gun, government-paid spying snitches, and forced references to the Motherland. Even the evil government-loving teacher gets killed for kicking a student's head in.

Standish Treadwell writes very strangely. It reminds me of how I tell stories; he jumps from present to past to other time periods all the time, which would make it complicated for many people to follow. I for one am captured by his writing style. It highlights that he is mentally different from the other kids. You can also see that he is bullied, as he actually gets beaten up by a guy called Hans Fielder and his gang. He and his friend Trevor imagine about going to this planet called Juniper with Croca-cola plains and other beautiful scenery. Sadly, Trevor has already been established as someone who will disappear from the beginning of the novel.

The key challenge Standish faces is pleasing the government. If he gets out of step or continuously acts different, he will very likely be eliminated. (Some other challenges are bullies, cloaked men and angry teachers.)

Hope that was satisfactory.
Aight, I'mma head out.
Kyle