Melanie is one of a group of children being raised on an army base in England after civilization has collapsed. Every morning, armed soldiers come to her room, strap her into a wheelchair, and roll her into class. Her favorite teacher is Miss Justineau. Sometimes she asks questions about what will happen when she grows up, but those seem to make Miss Justineau sad.
It's hard to say much more than that about this book without giving too much away. Melanie, Miss Justineau, and the rest of their small band are each wonderfully rendered, complex characters, including Dr. Caldwell. Although her interests are fundamentally opposed to Melanie's, her motivations are understandable and not entirely unsympathetic, no matter how heartlessly she goes about pursuing them. Although there is plenty of post-apocalyptic suspense, this is at heart a touching story of devotion and survival.
Overall: A+
The Girl with All the Gifts will be available on June 10.