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Memory Boy #2
The Survivors
Two years ago, the ash started falling like gray snow. The volcanoes had erupted. . . . For Miles and his sister, Sarah, the real disaster started in the violent aftermath—when they were forced to leave their cushy suburban home and flee to the north woods for safety. Miles got them to a cabin, but now winter is setting in. All they have to get them through is the milk from Sarah's prized possession—her goat—and Miles's memory of wilderness survival skills.When Sarah tries to regain some normalcy by attending the local school, she realizes she is no longer quite the person she used to be. Now she is Goat Girl, a Traveler, and it's hard to pretend she isn't. And when a horrific twist of fate robs Miles of his memory, he discovers the heart of his true identity. They knew the volcanoes would change the world. Now, in order to survive, they must change with it.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
19 people are currently reading
485 people want to read
About the author
Will Weaver
40 books101 followersI grew up in the Midwest, and had no idea I'd become a writer one day. However I gradually felt a need to tell my own stories. To explain, in writing, how I saw the world.
Today I'm a full time writer with 13 novels, many short stories, and two movie adaptations. I enjoy visiting schools and libraries, and sharing what I've learned about writing.
My newest novel POWER & LIGHT (Sept 2023) is now out. The first of a two book adult saga, it follows the arc of a Norwegian emigrant family to the Midwest–their hardships and ultimate triumph.
Today I'm a full time writer with 13 novels, many short stories, and two movie adaptations. I enjoy visiting schools and libraries, and sharing what I've learned about writing.
My newest novel POWER & LIGHT (Sept 2023) is now out. The first of a two book adult saga, it follows the arc of a Norwegian emigrant family to the Midwest–their hardships and ultimate triumph.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
September 1, 2014
I loved the first book in this series, Memory Boy. This book I was drawn to, wanting to know how everything turned out. For the first 3/4 of the book I loved it and I was so engrossed in how the family was going to adapt to bemidji. Yet the ending was quite trite and felt rushed. I could not believe that the family would suddenly get up the courage and confront the bullies from Book 1. It just didn't seem realistic that they would do that. Very disappointing ending!
September 8, 2014
Meh. Generally I'm a fan of disaster fiction...but this one just didn't do it for me. Probably good for reluctant readers and/or teen under their reading level.
November 2, 2012
Miles, Sarah, and their parents, Nat and Artie, are in a small cabin in the woods. A big volcano erupted and the earth has not yet recovered. There is some food, some gas, some medical care, but there isn't plenty.There wasn't much i liked about this book. When i read this book i failed to see how the conditions they lived in was surviving. It was more like long term camping. They always hunted for food and Sarah milked her goat. For showers miles built a shack in the backyard. The only thing they left behind in the suburbs was internet, TV,phones and electricity.living without those things isn't surviving. It seemed to focus on family issues and social issues than surviving. There wasn't much character development throughout this book except for Sarah in the end. There are two major themes i found in this book. The first is someone in the family almost revealing they are outsiders of the town and somehow convince the person they are not. The second theme i noticed is some chore or job had to be done and the book went into detail about what the chore was. I like the style of the book but not the story so much. I would only recommend this book to people who like nature and drama.
July 14, 2012
It's really not apocalyptic. There's still school, mail service, medical care, etc. But there is also a social strain, people are supposed to stay put - which this family has not done. The Survivors is from both Miles and Sarah's point of view. I liked that you get Miles - who is flourishing under the stress and you get Sarah who hates so much about it all. A good follow-up but not quite as good as book one.
May 24, 2018
I found it odd that this book is written in the third person, while the previous book is in the first person. Perhaps the author did it because this book is from the points of view of both Miles and Sarah.
It reminded me of many Jack London stories, where a soft city dweller has to learn to live in the wild, becomes good at it, then finds they like it.
Interesting and worth the read, but like others I found the ending a bit abrupt and unfinished.
It reminded me of many Jack London stories, where a soft city dweller has to learn to live in the wild, becomes good at it, then finds they like it.
Interesting and worth the read, but like others I found the ending a bit abrupt and unfinished.
January 23, 2018
My friend suggested this book to me, because she found it to be very interesting. After finishing this book I completely agree with her, and recommend it to others. It's a thrilling experience the characters go through, with all the devastation and what little they had left. The climax is very intense with the accident, hospital visits, romance, and school. Artie feels lost throughout the whole story because Miles had taken control over the family and their life. Nat didn't like to talk about the move from their house, she didn't like the food they eat, or bathing in the river. Sarah met many friends in school, some were closer than others. She wasn't happy with the move either and didn't like anything to do with living in the cabin. I highly encourage you readers to read this amazing, thrilling book!
January 13, 2019
I enjoyed this story, it was simple but interesting and enjoyable.
I liked this book two better than book one.
I liked that the family became a family and truly became together and stronger.
Miles of course continues to remember the old timers stories which of course that knowledge helped the family survive and become a family.
Miles sister Sarah becomes less of a brat and their parents become less stupid.
I don’t know why it alway appears in these young adult books that the parents are so dumb as if the teenagers are the parents or smarter, I truly wish authors would stop doing that and give adults in books knowledge and that parents are all idiots. It really isn’t appealing.
However, I enjoyed the story and the knowledge I did take away.
I liked this book two better than book one.
I liked that the family became a family and truly became together and stronger.
Miles of course continues to remember the old timers stories which of course that knowledge helped the family survive and become a family.
Miles sister Sarah becomes less of a brat and their parents become less stupid.
I don’t know why it alway appears in these young adult books that the parents are so dumb as if the teenagers are the parents or smarter, I truly wish authors would stop doing that and give adults in books knowledge and that parents are all idiots. It really isn’t appealing.
However, I enjoyed the story and the knowledge I did take away.
July 4, 2018
I actually prefer this book over the prequel. I find that this has a lot deeper meanings and has a pretty dynamic storyline. It certainly emphasizes in the importance of family role and human’s need of adaptation - but I find that Weaver successfully captures that in a subtle yet clear way.
It’s very heart-warming
It’s very heart-warming
August 11, 2017
After reading Memory Boy, I was interested to find out what happened to Miles and his family. This sequel didn't disappoint. I was happy to see good character development throughout, though I would have liked a little more lead up to Artie's changes. The story and its ending were satisfying.
November 12, 2018
A really amazing book! Loved the emotional/survival vibe throughout the book. I would recommend this book to teens, girls, and boys. Wish someone told me about Memory Boy the previous book, but can't wait to read it or the next book to come!
September 16, 2019
The book was about survival and what one family does to live through it day after day. I would highly recommend the book to a boy or girl that likes to read about living off the grid.
June 1, 2020
Enjoyed the change of the other characters a bit more in this book than the first.
September 23, 2021
Good conclusion to the memory boy story, the romance with the thirteenth year old was unnecessary and in my opinion was just filler.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2022
Another easy page turner that I’ll be adding to my classroom shelves.
December 3, 2022
*Possible Spoilers Ahead*
This started out being the series I only read because it was my boyfriends favorite book. (The first novel) I quickly fell in LOVE with the first one, looked and realized this book existed, and told him about it - he had no idea! So we read it together!!
This is definitely a YA series, but so so fun! If you want something that is just easy, light to read, fun, but also makes you think deeply and dig into the story, this book/series could be it!
You fall even more in love with Miles and his family and their struggles through this book, and it wraps up nicely for you on how their story ends! I wish there was more, but I can be satisfied with how Weaver wrote and ended this series. I would say it's a must read for any young adult to me, or an adult just looking for some fun!
This started out being the series I only read because it was my boyfriends favorite book. (The first novel) I quickly fell in LOVE with the first one, looked and realized this book existed, and told him about it - he had no idea! So we read it together!!
This is definitely a YA series, but so so fun! If you want something that is just easy, light to read, fun, but also makes you think deeply and dig into the story, this book/series could be it!
You fall even more in love with Miles and his family and their struggles through this book, and it wraps up nicely for you on how their story ends! I wish there was more, but I can be satisfied with how Weaver wrote and ended this series. I would say it's a must read for any young adult to me, or an adult just looking for some fun!
October 20, 2025
The ending could have definitely been better written out, but it was a good second book to the first one
July 28, 2017
Overall decent, I know a few students who will appreciate it. Personally, I couldn't get past the way it was written. I liked the tense and point of view from Memory Boy better than The Survivors.
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March 24, 2013Here's my review of the MEMORY BOY sequel, as promised.
Back in the city, Miles would rather be anywhere but school. More interested in his tools and building things, Miles is not a dedicated student, and when he hears about the oral history project that would require chatting with an elderly resident of a nearby nursing home, he tries his hardest to figure out how to get out of it.
Now, his family's very survival depends on the things he learned from Mr. Kurz's stories. At the time the old man was rambling on, Miles spent his time working on his refurbished skateboard trucks or some other hands-on project that would keep him awake during his visits with the old coot. But, thanks to Miles's exceptional memory (Memory Boy), he now remembers all the survival skills Mr. Kurz passed on.
The other huge benefit of having gotten to know the old man is that Miles and his family have a home. After the disappointment of finding squatters living in their family cabin on Gull Lake, Miles presented the idea of searching for Mr. Kurz's mountain cabin. It needed a ton of repairs, but Miles was up for the task, and he even found a way to add a small room so he and Sarah didn't have to bunk with their parents.
The family is still considered by most to be Travelers and must battle discrimination when they venture into town, but life in the cabin on the river is much better than what life in the city has become. Miles is busy getting the place ready for winter, and Sarah decides to begin attending the local school. Even their father is beginning to adjust to the country life.
Just when things seem to be falling into a normal routine, Sarah has problems at school and their status as Travelers could ruin everything. This city family may need to learn the violent ways of the wild and do it quickly if they hope to survive.
Author Will Weaver continues the Newell family saga in THE SURVIVORS. The world is recovering from the devastation of massive volcanic eruptions leaving society divided into the haves and the have nots. Weaver vividly captures the struggle of those trying to survive without the modern conveniences they once enjoyed.
Back in the city, Miles would rather be anywhere but school. More interested in his tools and building things, Miles is not a dedicated student, and when he hears about the oral history project that would require chatting with an elderly resident of a nearby nursing home, he tries his hardest to figure out how to get out of it.
Now, his family's very survival depends on the things he learned from Mr. Kurz's stories. At the time the old man was rambling on, Miles spent his time working on his refurbished skateboard trucks or some other hands-on project that would keep him awake during his visits with the old coot. But, thanks to Miles's exceptional memory (Memory Boy), he now remembers all the survival skills Mr. Kurz passed on.
The other huge benefit of having gotten to know the old man is that Miles and his family have a home. After the disappointment of finding squatters living in their family cabin on Gull Lake, Miles presented the idea of searching for Mr. Kurz's mountain cabin. It needed a ton of repairs, but Miles was up for the task, and he even found a way to add a small room so he and Sarah didn't have to bunk with their parents.
The family is still considered by most to be Travelers and must battle discrimination when they venture into town, but life in the cabin on the river is much better than what life in the city has become. Miles is busy getting the place ready for winter, and Sarah decides to begin attending the local school. Even their father is beginning to adjust to the country life.
Just when things seem to be falling into a normal routine, Sarah has problems at school and their status as Travelers could ruin everything. This city family may need to learn the violent ways of the wild and do it quickly if they hope to survive.
Author Will Weaver continues the Newell family saga in THE SURVIVORS. The world is recovering from the devastation of massive volcanic eruptions leaving society divided into the haves and the have nots. Weaver vividly captures the struggle of those trying to survive without the modern conveniences they once enjoyed.
January 27, 2012
The ability to survive is a very important human trait. We have many examples in past history in where we survive in the most horrible conditions. With proposals of the world coming to an end and changing dramatically, authors have enveloped the idea and turned it into a profitable storyline. One take on survival is the aftermath of multiple volcanoes erupting, which is what Will Weaver, the author, bases his book on. He writes a tale of a young family forced out of their home trying to find a life in a world that has completely changed. They finally settle down in a quaint little town where they are tested and find out who they really are.
The story is in the views of Miles and Sarah who are siblings. Miles is the protector of the family, the one who hunts and gathers the food. Sarah is a girl trying to stay normal. She begins to go to school where she finds friends and attempts to comprehend the craziness that is her life. With their mother and father, they try to strive to make their lives better. However, as the days go by, the family each has to deal with their own problems. Throughout the novel the whole family discovers something about themselves. While beginning to figure things out, something changes everything causing them to make a major decision. This was a great, well written book. I was able to breeze through the pages due to the author’s way of writing. He easily conveys the feelings and thoughts of the characters. Overall, it was a very good book that makes you look inside yourself and see what you would do in their place.
Special Note: This book is the sequel to Memory Boy. You may want to check it out first before reading The Survivors. There were a few details that I felt were missing as I had not read Memory Boy. That will be next on my list.
review link: http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2011...
The story is in the views of Miles and Sarah who are siblings. Miles is the protector of the family, the one who hunts and gathers the food. Sarah is a girl trying to stay normal. She begins to go to school where she finds friends and attempts to comprehend the craziness that is her life. With their mother and father, they try to strive to make their lives better. However, as the days go by, the family each has to deal with their own problems. Throughout the novel the whole family discovers something about themselves. While beginning to figure things out, something changes everything causing them to make a major decision. This was a great, well written book. I was able to breeze through the pages due to the author’s way of writing. He easily conveys the feelings and thoughts of the characters. Overall, it was a very good book that makes you look inside yourself and see what you would do in their place.
Special Note: This book is the sequel to Memory Boy. You may want to check it out first before reading The Survivors. There were a few details that I felt were missing as I had not read Memory Boy. That will be next on my list.
review link: http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2011...
March 23, 2012
An OK book that was more focused on family dynamics rather than survival in the aftermath of major volcanic eruptions resulting in persistent ash clouds that have disrupted normal life and forced one family to leave suburbia to set up in a rustic cabin in the woods.
I remember really liking the first book Memory Boy which was about that exodus and the dangers of the road and learning to live in the old ways as related to the son of the family by an elderly man in a nursing home who had been the subject of the boy's school project. The old man had lived his life in the woods & knew all the practical lore. Luckily the boy has perfect recall (thus Memory Boy) and is able to use this knowledge to help his fairly clueless family survive.
There was some huntin' & fishin' and other survival skills in this sequel, but as I said, the emphasis was on the growth of the family- how they were coping and changing in response to the difficulties both physical and social in this new world where scarcity and self-interest have made neighborliness another scarce commodity. The author did a good job of making you "see" the setting - especially in the hunting and foraging parts. So: pleasant, but not outstanding.
I remember really liking the first book Memory Boy which was about that exodus and the dangers of the road and learning to live in the old ways as related to the son of the family by an elderly man in a nursing home who had been the subject of the boy's school project. The old man had lived his life in the woods & knew all the practical lore. Luckily the boy has perfect recall (thus Memory Boy) and is able to use this knowledge to help his fairly clueless family survive.
There was some huntin' & fishin' and other survival skills in this sequel, but as I said, the emphasis was on the growth of the family- how they were coping and changing in response to the difficulties both physical and social in this new world where scarcity and self-interest have made neighborliness another scarce commodity. The author did a good job of making you "see" the setting - especially in the hunting and foraging parts. So: pleasant, but not outstanding.
May 24, 2013
The Story follows Miles and his sister Sarah, so its two stories, and they are a family who lived in a neigborhood, until Miles met Mr. Kurtz and now they live in his old cabin. They live as normal as they can, but keep their house/ cabin a secret from the outside world. They wash in the Mississippi River and they eat meat mostly, they go into town once a week, and Sarah and Miles go to school. Sarah goes to a public school, until a mishap with one of her ond friends dad, then she transfered to the school Miles goes to. Miles goes to a school, where every week you get a packet of work and you work at your speed. They also have a goat who gives them milk, so normal life right.....? Wrong they live in the middle of no where, and they dont have drivers liscense. Then a little accident happens and they have to take Miles to the hospital, and Sarah sees a boy from the public school, and Sarah tell him where she live, and they end up having a little fling going on. So read this book, because it tells you another way people live, and they show you the struggles they face in order to live. I like this book because it has a good storyline and it never lost my interest. I think people who want to know another way of living and people who like surviving books.
October 2, 2012
This is the sequel to Memory Boy, although I didn't have any trouble catching up without having read the first book. Miles, Sarah, and their parents, Nat and Artie, are in a small cabin in the woods. A big volcano erupted and the earth has not yet recovered. There is some food, some gas, some medical care, but there isn't the plenty that we have now. Miles has total recall, so he has become the one with all the information about how to survive in the wilderness. Miles seems to be thoroughly enjoying their "back to nature" living. He at least is prepared. Sarah is hating everything - the loss of her friends, her house, her school and, last but not least, running water/indoor plumbing. They slowly make friends in the new town as they work out how to live off the grid.
This is not as much a survival book as other "end of the world as we know it" books. This is more about a family figuring out what is important and what is not. There is a fair amount of hunting and fishing, but there's plenty of family stuff as well.
A good, quick read that might send readers looking for Memory Boy.
This is not as much a survival book as other "end of the world as we know it" books. This is more about a family figuring out what is important and what is not. There is a fair amount of hunting and fishing, but there's plenty of family stuff as well.
A good, quick read that might send readers looking for Memory Boy.
May 3, 2012
This book is a sequel to the 2001 book Memory Boy. I however, have not read the first book and this book could easily be a stand-alone. In the last book, Miles and his family had to leave everything they knew when massive volcanoes erupted and the climate changed drastically. Now, 16-year-old Miles, his 13-year-old sister Sarah, and their parents live in a small cabin in the woods. The family has always relied heavily on Miles’ photographic memory and survival knowledge, but when Miles is seriously injured and loses his memory, things are forced to change again. In a slightly futuristic setting and with a slightly dystopian outlook, I know this book of survival will be popular with my students.
Price: $17.99
Suitability: Middle school and up
Recommendation: recommend
Illustrations: N/A
Genre: Science Fiction
Possible Censorship Problems: N/A Examples:
Would you purchase this book? Yes Why? My students would enjoy it
Dewey Classification: FIC WEA
Price: $17.99
Suitability: Middle school and up
Recommendation: recommend
Illustrations: N/A
Genre: Science Fiction
Possible Censorship Problems: N/A Examples:
Would you purchase this book? Yes Why? My students would enjoy it
Dewey Classification: FIC WEA
March 12, 2012
I won an ARC via Goodreads and didn't realize this book is a sequel to 'Memory Boy'. It can be a stand alone book as it is very clear how the main characters had gotten to this post-apocalyptic situation. I think the first book would be better, though... As its plot is more gripping than the one about the actual survival of the family.
I had a feeling that the family simply dealt with the loss of their suburban comforts and wasn't dealing with actual survival problem. The author could have gone deeper on that end. I also found the character development to be lacking but perhaps it's because they were already properly developed in book 1.
I also didn't care for all the hunting adventures the 13 year old girl had had [nor the others'] and also found it unsettling that she was conveyed in a 'sexy' light, I do not believe it is age appropriate.
Other than that I liked the premise of this book and the lively descriptions.
I had a feeling that the family simply dealt with the loss of their suburban comforts and wasn't dealing with actual survival problem. The author could have gone deeper on that end. I also found the character development to be lacking but perhaps it's because they were already properly developed in book 1.
I also didn't care for all the hunting adventures the 13 year old girl had had [nor the others'] and also found it unsettling that she was conveyed in a 'sexy' light, I do not believe it is age appropriate.
Other than that I liked the premise of this book and the lively descriptions.
March 23, 2012
You do not need to read Memory Boy written in 2001 to understand this book. Driven from their comfortable home outside Minneapolis in the previous episode by increasingly brutal hard times and a rising tide of lawlessness, the Newell"s have taken refuge in an isolated cabin in the north woods—knowing that they have to adapt to radically changed living conditions, and also to keep from being identified by local residents as homeless “Travelers” to be hustled along, or worse. Eighth-grader Sarah and her equally urbanized, floundering parents have big brother Miles to lean on, with his tough, commonsense outlook, ready shotgun and a photographic memory stocked with information on living off the land.
January 5, 2013
The second leg of the Newell family's journey finds them at the cabin of a man who Miles met at a Retirement Home. They are now finding the many ways they can actually fend for themselves after their journey here. Sarah begins going back to school and begins to believe that life can almost return to normal but it will never be the normal they once knew. Miles also feels obligated to take care of his family because he feels they cannot take care of themselves without him but Miles might be surprised and what is family is able to handle in his absence.
Overall I really enjoy this book as a post apocolyptic that is geared toward younger readers. This is one that I would recommend for 4th or 5th grade and up.
Overall I really enjoy this book as a post apocolyptic that is geared toward younger readers. This is one that I would recommend for 4th or 5th grade and up.
April 10, 2013
I really liked this book! I usually don’t like a lot of books because they just aren’t my type. I liked this book so much that I am reading it again. This book is not for specific genders, so it could be a boy book or a girl book! This book is very intense in some parts. In the beginning when she goes to her new school some girls are really mean to her just because she doesn’t live in a big house or a big trailer! When Sarah told the girls on the bus that she lives in a single trailer house they called her, “trailer trash!” When she actually gets into school she doesn’t want to be known as the new girl so she drops her, “Hi I’m new” Name tag and a really cute boy picks it up and gives it to her. The boy sticks by her side so she doesn’t feel weird! Please give this book a try!
January 17, 2013
I won this book through Goodreads first reads program. I was unaware this was a sequel before receiving the book and I wish I had read that book first. The Survivors was clear enough though that it could stand alone.
Overall I think the book was interesting, but felt it is still in need of improvement. The writing style sometimes made for uncomfortable reading. As for the plot I do think the brain injury and some of the other challenges faced in the post apocalyptic world were a compelling reason to continue reading.
I gave this book a three star rating, as an adult, I do feel that the young adult audience which it was intended for would most likely rate it higher.
Overall I think the book was interesting, but felt it is still in need of improvement. The writing style sometimes made for uncomfortable reading. As for the plot I do think the brain injury and some of the other challenges faced in the post apocalyptic world were a compelling reason to continue reading.
I gave this book a three star rating, as an adult, I do feel that the young adult audience which it was intended for would most likely rate it higher.
July 15, 2016
Fun fact I actually got to meet Author Will Weaver in person! My copy of "The Survivors" has a personalized message and autograph by his truly. This definitely improved my love of the novel, but does not make up for the out of touch with teenagers vibe it gave me. Mr. Weaver is a lovely writer, does well with disaster writing, and has a good field of work. However at 12 when I first read this book even I caught on that although he is a good writer Weaver does not understand the vernacular or thought processes of teenagers. A nice read however and well recommended for Midwesterners looking for something taking place in their region of the world.
June 22, 2016
If you love huntin and surviving in the wilderness this is a great book. Yes there is a little romance but it's not the whole book. I hadn't read memory boy the first book in this series and I got the whole book.
After a natural disaster happened people were forced out of their homes my squatters and travelers. The family moved to the sons friends house in the woods. After learning how to hunt and fish the family was safe for some time, until a man and wife come on a boat. Also while they are here they have a goat and learn how to drink not filtered milk.
After a natural disaster happened people were forced out of their homes my squatters and travelers. The family moved to the sons friends house in the woods. After learning how to hunt and fish the family was safe for some time, until a man and wife come on a boat. Also while they are here they have a goat and learn how to drink not filtered milk.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews