The Knife of Never Letting Go

Ness, P. (2008). The knife of never letting go. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.

Summary: Todd and his dog, Manchee, live in Prentisstown. All the women and half the men in the world have been killed by a germ released by the Spackle, the natives of the planet. The Noise, the thoughts of others, can be heard by everyone as a side effect of the germ. Just before his birthday, Todd discovers an area of Silence that turns out to be a young girl. Todd and Viola begin to travel to Haven. They are pursued by the are of Prentisstown and encounter many dangerous situations along the way. Todd learns the truth about Prentisstown and how the men came to reside there. Viola becomes fatally injured and Todd must surrender to the new Mayor of Haven in order to get her help.
Commentary: In The Knife of Never Letting Go, the author is very descriptive of the setting. Todd hates his life in Prentisstownand it is reflected in the state of the town. The whole town is unhappy and that makes it an ugly and uninviting place. When he's going through the swamp and countryside he sees that there is no signs of settlement in the area, but it still appears to be a happy place. Farbranch is a beautiful place in which Todd can have some rest until Mayor Prentiss destroys it and the darkness of Prentisstown returns.
Connections: Teacher Resources, Book Trailer, Book Review, Author Interview
Similar Books: The Resistance by Gemma Malley; Ashes by Ilsa J Bick; The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Textbook Connections: When I read The Knife of Never Letting go, I was reminded that some students like to read science fiction while other's enjoy reading realistic stories.