The Way the World Ends

A teenage boy comes of age in a small town in New Zealand at the dawn of a new millennium in this emotionally charged young adult drama. Set against the backdrop of a small town with a dying industry, the story of Jake's quest to overcome his circumstances and escape the provincial background to which he feels doomed is one that will resonate with young adults everywhere.

As conflict between loggers and environmentalists threatens to tear a town apart, this novel about growing up with an alcoholic father shows the ripple effects of the end of an era. Jake and his sister Louisa must fend for themselves, particularly after they survive the aftermath of a violent riot. These siblings grow up with a dysfunctional father, but they grow together because of their love for each other.