John Marsden

When Ellie and her friends go camping, they have no idea they're leaving their old lives behind forever. Despite a less-than-tragic food shortage and a secret crush or two, everything goes as planned. But a week later, they return home to find their houses empty and their pets starving. Something has gone wrong--horribly wrong. Before long, they realize the country has been invaded, and the entire town has been captured--including their families and...

Ellie and her friends, a small band of teenagers trying to survive in the Australian countryside, continue to resist the enemies who have invaded their country.

Follows the journey of eight high school friends in a remote country town whose lives are suddenly and violently upended by a war that no one saw coming. Cut off from their families, these eight teenagers must learn to escape, survive and fight back against a hostile military force.