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The Girl Who Owned a City

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1975

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Book Brief

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O.T. Nelson

The Girl Who Owned a City

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1975
Book Details
Pages

189

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Chicago Suburbs • 1970s

Publication Year

1975

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

660L

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Super Short Summary

The Girl Who Owned a City by O.T. Nelson is a post-apocalyptic novel set in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where a virus has wiped out everyone over the age of 12. The protagonist, 10-year-old Lisa, and her brother Todd, struggle to survive by looting abandoned homes. Lisa eventually organizes neighborhood children into a militia to defend against gangs and fortifies an abandoned high school into a safe haven, fostering a self-sufficient community. It involves themes of child independence, survival, and leadership.

Adventurous

Suspenseful

Challenging

Hopeful

Reviews & Readership

4.2

6,101 ratings

67%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

O.T. Nelson’s The Girl Who Owned a City depicts a post-apocalyptic world where children must fend for themselves. Reviews praise its engaging plot and strong, resourceful protagonist but critique its emotional depth and writing style. While some appreciate its thought-provoking themes, others find its execution lacking. Overall, it provides an intriguing, if uneven, read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Girl Who Owned a City?

Readers who enjoy dystopian novels with young protagonists will find The Girl Who Owned a City by O.T. Nelson compelling. Fans of The Hunger Games and Lord of the Flies will appreciate this tale of resilience and leadership in a post-apocalyptic world, focusing on a girl’s struggle to survive and build a community.

4.2

6,101 ratings

67%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

189

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Chicago Suburbs • 1970s

Publication Year

1975

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

660L

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