A Single Stone

This book is about a civilization in a mountain. The whole city’s heat comes from mica, a glowing rock that is found in caves deep within the mountain. Young girls are sent to dig mica out of those caves, but it is dangerous work. Sometimes girls are trapped in rock falls or get stuck in narrow openings. I thought it was interesting how chapters alternated between what was happening in the book and things that the main character, Jena, was remembering from her childhood. However, the fast-moving nature of this book confused me in some places because it was switching from scene to scene so quickly. I appreciated the unpredictable ending. There were no pictures, but I don’t think they were necessary because most of the book took place in dark tunnels. The author did a very good job of describing the village and the characters. I felt like I got to know the characters’ personalities well. I do not think this would make a good series because the ending was very complete. This book reminded me of The Giver series by Lois Lowry.