AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHY

Jeff Hirsch is an American author of young adult fiction. He was born on

September 9, 1974, in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up in the suburbs of
Washington, D.C. Hirsch graduated from the University of California, San Diego,
with a degree in political science. After college, he worked in the entertainment
industry, including as a development executive at a film production company,
before turning to writing full time.

 Hirsch's debut novel, "The Eleventh Plague," was published in 2011. The post-
apocalyptic novel tells the story of a teenage boy named Stephen who must
navigate a world devastated by a deadly virus. The book was a finalist for the
2012 Cybils Award in the young adult science fiction and fantasy category.
Hirsch has since published several other young adult novels, including
"Magisterium," "Black River Falls," and "The Darkest Path." His books often
explore themes of survival, identity, and social justice. In addition to his writing,
Hirsch has also taught creative writing at the University of California, San Diego,
and has worked as a freelance screenwriter. He currently lives in Portland,
Oregon, with his wife and son.
 SYNOPSIS OF THE BOOK
America is a vast, desolate landscape left ravaged after a brutal war. Two-thirds
of the population are dead after a vicious strain of Influenza. People called the
sickness the eleventh plague.

Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn was born after the war and only knows the life of
a salvager. His family was among the few who survived and took to roaming the
country in search of material to trade. But when Stephen’s grandfather dies and
his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler’s
Landing, a community that seems too good to be true. There Stephen meets
strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to accept things as they are.
When they play a prank that goes horribly wrong, chaos erupts, and they find
themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler’s Landing – and their
lives - forever
 AUTHOR’S WRITING TECHNIQUES
Hirsch paints a realistic image of the environment and the persons in it through
the use of descriptive language. For instance, he calls the deserted towns and
cities "ghost towns" and the surviving "scavengers" and "raiders."

The author employs dialogue to advance the plot, establish tension, and reveal
character attributes. Conversations between Stephen and his father, as well as
those they have with other survivors they meet along the way, reveal details
about their personalities and goals.

Hirsch used flashbacks to provide important details about the characters' pasts
and how they came to be in their current circumstances. Readers can better
comprehend the characters' motivations and personalities thanks to these
flashbacks.

The author used foreshadowing to raise tension and generate anticipation of

what will happen next. For instance, he drops hints about potential danger and
conflict in specific circumstances to keep readers on edge and interested in the
narrative.
 MESSAGE OF THE BOOK
The message of "The Eleventh Plague" is one of overcoming challenges, holding
onto hope, and the strength of the human spirit. In order to survive in a post-
apocalyptic society, the book emphasizes the value of family, community, and
one's ability to change. The work also emphasizes the dangers of holding on to
the past too strongly and the value of letting go of previous ideals in order to
accept new realities. It underlines how crucial empathy and compassion are,
even in the worst of situations, and how important it is to cooperate in order to
create a better future. The primary message of "The Eleventh Plague" is one of
transformation and redemption. Stephen Quinn, the protagonist, is introduced to
the narrative as an arrogant and rather entitled youngster, but as he travels
through the unfamiliar environment, he comes to understand the importance of
courage, compassion, and sacrifice. By the end of the novel, he has developed
into a responsible young man who is prepared to take on any problems the future
may present.
 FAVORITE PART OF THE BOOK
Stephen starts out with his doubts about Jenny and the other settlers. In this new
environment, he learned to never trust anyone. But as they interact more, he
starts to view Jenny as a friend. She gives him a tour of the community, teaches
him how to hunt and gather food, and supports him emotionally.

Jenny and Stephen become closer as they spend more time together. They
discuss their ambitions for the future and share stories of their lives before the
pandemic. Stephen starts to sense a deeper connection to Jenny than just a
friendship, but he is cautious to act on it. Like when he lost his father, he is
terrified of losing her.

Despite their issues, Stephen and Jenny's romance flourishes. Together, they
explore the nearby woods and cooperate to repel raiders from the village. They
discuss happy and funny as well as sad and painful situations.

In the end, one of the strongest ties in the book is the friendship between
Stephen and Jenny. In a harsh and brutal world, they rely on one another for
love, support, and comfort. Even in the most difficult circumstances, human
connection can be powerful, as seen by their relationship.

This is my favorite thing in the book, the part where Stephen and Jenny met each
other and developed a strong bond. They had some scenes where I was
completely shocked and thrilled at the same time.
 SIGNIFICANT PARTS IN THE BOOK
Personally, I believe that these are the six significant parts of the book:

By laying out how the world as we know it ended, the prologue establishes the
overall tone for the book. The globe was struck by the eleventh plague, a
devastating virus that killed billions of people and destroyed civilization.

The survivors have established new societies, some of which are more
structured than others. The Quinn family moves into Settler's Landing, a larger
neighborhood, where they encounter difficulty integrating and getting used to a
new way of life.

While searching for supplies, Stephen and his father come across a wrecked
airliner that contains a box of priceless medical equipment. The finding triggers a
series of events that finally send Stephen on a quest for understanding and

To bring medical supplies to a local village in need, Stephen embarks on a

dangerous journey. He meets a variety of people and circumstances along the
way that make him reevaluate his ideas and his position in the modern world. T

After delivering the medical supplies, someone Stephen felt he could trust
betrays him, which results in a confrontation that endangers his life.

Stephen must ultimately make a decision that will affect both himself and others
around him. The decision he makes completes the tale of his exploration of the
new world in a surprising and fulfilling way.

 
 WEAKNESSES OF THE BOOK
The plot of the book is one of its weak points. Although the story is intriguing, it
occasionally follows a pattern and is predictable. Stephen, the main character, is
a traditional hero who must survive by navigating a dangerous world. The plot
also primarily relies on random occurrences and conveniences, which might give
the story a manufactured and less credible sense.

The characters in the book are yet another flaw. Although Stephen is a nice
protagonist, many of the other characters are flat and uninteresting. The
adversaries, in particular, can be less interesting since they are clichéd and lack
nuance.

Finally, the book's pace can sometimes put off some readers. While the
emphasis on world-building and character development is admirable, it can often
slow down the plot and give the impression that not much is occurring.

Overall, "The Eleventh Plague" has some positive aspects, including its study of
issues and world-building, but it also has some negative aspects, like its
predictable plot, undeveloped characters, and poor pacing.
 REFLECTION
My impression was that "The Eleventh Plague" was a well-written and interesting
book overall. The plot is action-packed, but it also dives deeper into topics like
family, survival, and the effects of war. I enjoyed how the author honestly
depicted the characters' hardships and feelings, making them approachable and
simple to relate with.

The world-building in the book was one of the aspects that particularly caught my
attention. Hirsch crafted a complex and realistic post-apocalyptic universe with its
own set of laws, traditions, and perils. I liked learning about the many villages
and survivors' groups that Stephen comes across throughout the novel since
they were all distinctive and interesting.

The character development in the book was another strength. The story's
protagonist, Stephen, is a well-rounded, complicated figure whose development
throughout the course of the narrative seemed natural and earned. His
interactions with other characters, especially Jenny and his father, were well-
developed and gave the narrative depth.

All in all, "The Eleventh Plague" is a post-apocalyptic novel that I would suggest
to anyone who appreciates post-apocalyptic literature or who is curious about
tales of survival, family, and human fortitude in the face of tragedy.
 A BOOK REVIEW

In Reading & Writing

By: John Christian O. Batiles

STEM 11 – A

Submitted to:

Ms. Whane R. Cabuslay

English Teacher