Not a Drop to Drink

by Mindy McGinnis

Overview

Fans of classic frontier survival stories, as well as readers of dystopian literature, will enjoy this futuristic story where water is worth more than gold. New York Times bestselling author Michael Grant says Not a Drop to Drink is a debut "not to be missed." With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl's journey in a frontierlike world not so different from our own.

Teenage Lynn has been taught to defend her pond against every threat: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and most important, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty—or doesn't leave at all. Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. But when strangers appear, the mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won't stop until they get it. . . .

For more in this gritty world, join Lynn on an epic journey to find home in the companion novel, In a Handful of Dust.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062198518
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	08/26/2014
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	394,615
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Mindy McGinnis is the author of several young adult novels, including A Long Stretch of Bad Days, The Last Laugh, The Initial Insult, Heroine, The Female of the Species, and A Madness So Discreet, winner of an Edgar Award. She writes across multiple genres, including postapocalyptic, historical, thriller, contemporary, mystery, and fantasy. While her settings may change, you can always count on her books to deliver grit, truth, and an unflinching look at humanity and the world around us. Mindy lives in Ohio. You can visit her online at mindymcginnis.com.

Editorial Reviews

A high-quality survivalist story for readers who enjoy internal story arcs as well as external dangers. — Kirkus Reviews

The intensity of action moves the story forward, but not at the expense of character development. The complex, authentic characters are neither fully evil nor unbelievably good. The honest and hopeful ending—while not “happily ever after”—will resonate with readers and leave them asking for more. — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

Those in search of fierce female survivalist characters need look no further than this. — Booklist

In an understated but gripping debut, McGinnis paints a stark picture of a world not far removed from our own, concentrating on Lynn’s gradual emotional growth as contrasted against the physical harshness of her existence. — Publishers Weekly

A brutally beautiful debut, not to be missed. NOT A DROP TO DRINK is an unwavering story with incredible drama, danger, and power. This writer is for real. — Michael Grant, New York Times bestselling author of the Gone series

I can’t say enough good things about the writing, and the characterization. If you’re looking for grit, realism and heart, you found it. — Kendare Blake, author of Anna Dressed in Blood

Deftly written, Mindy McGinnis’s NOT A DROP TO DRINK is a frightening picture of a potential future without fresh water, which left me ridiculously grateful for my working faucet. This post-apocalyptic survival tale is about so much more than just survival. I loved it. — Jodi Meadows, author of the Incarnate trilogy

Set against the grim backdrop of an all-too-possible future, McGinnis’s very fine coming of age novel doesn’t stint on lifes hard lessons—or its triumphs. Lynn’s story is what Laura Ingalls Wilder might’ve penned if she’d traveled a frontier imagined by Cormac McCarthy. — Ilsa Bick, award-winning author of the Ashes trilogy and THE SIN-EATER’S CONFESSION

From the Publisher

Set against the grim backdrop of an all-too-possible future, McGinnis’s very fine coming of age novel doesn’t stint on lifes hard lessons—or its triumphs. Lynn’s story is what Laura Ingalls Wilder might’ve penned if she’d traveled a frontier imagined by Cormac McCarthy.

Ilsa Bick

A brutally beautiful debut, not to be missed. NOT A DROP TO DRINK is an unwavering story with incredible drama, danger, and power. This writer is for real.

Michael Grant

Those in search of fierce female survivalist characters need look no further than this.

Booklist

Deftly written, Mindy McGinnis’s NOT A DROP TO DRINK is a frightening picture of a potential future without fresh water, which left me ridiculously grateful for my working faucet. This post-apocalyptic survival tale is about so much more than just survival. I loved it.

Jodi Meadows

I can’t say enough good things about the writing, and the characterization. If you’re looking for grit, realism and heart, you found it.

Kendare Blake

The intensity of action moves the story forward, but not at the expense of character development. The complex, authentic characters are neither fully evil nor unbelievably good. The honest and hopeful ending—while not “happily ever after”—will resonate with readers and leave them asking for more.

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

Those in search of fierce female survivalist characters need look no further than this.

Booklist

In an understated but gripping debut, McGinnis offers up a tale of survival in a world where a scarcity of usable water has led to a brutal conflict for what remains. Lynn and her mother eke out a hardscrabble existence, protecting their farmhouse and small pond with lethal force against wildlife and trespassers alike. When Lynn’s mother is killed, the 16-year-old is left to make her own way. To her surprise, she soon forms a surrogate family consisting of her crippled neighbor, Stebbs, and some newly arrived refugees, including teenage Eli and five-year-old Lucy. When they’re drawn into a desperate struggle against raiders who’d steal everything they possess, Lynn discovers just how hard she can fight for those she loves. McGinnis paints a stark picture of a world not far removed from our own, concentrating on Lynn’s gradual emotional growth as contrasted against the physical harshness of her existence. Character-driven but with intense moments, this story works best because of its narrow scope and focused setting, with world-building details largely left to the imagination. Ages 14–up. Agent: Adriann Ranta, Wolf Literary Services. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

While defending her resources in a lawless world where water is a rare commodity, Lynn learns about life and humanity. Ever since Lynn was a small child, she's known the hard truths of the world--chiefly that anyone who approaches her mother's pond leaves thirsty or dies, by Lynn's gun if necessary. Besides her mother and a single neighbor, visible only at a distance, Lynn has more experience with the coyotes than with other people. Two bands of strangers appear near their land; one group, armed, encroaches on Lynn's land, so she must be ready to protect her beloved home and water source from attacks that could come at any time, providing urgency and tension. After a tragedy forces her to team up with her neighbor, Lynn learns that the other group is just a trio of refugees who have no idea how to survive in the wilderness and will surely die without help. Despite her mother's hard-nosed teachings, Lynn finds herself with growing compassion for them. The third-person, past-tense narration gives the story a gritty tone, and the only break from the realism comes in the form of characters who can successfully dowse for water. The epilogue jumps to a future that fulfills Lynn's character growth. A high-quality survivalist story for readers who enjoy internal story arcs as well as external dangers. (Speculative fiction. 13 & up)

Kirkus Reviews