Jeanne DuPrau's The City of Ember meets Louis Sachar's Holes in this imaginative and humorous middle grade debut from Michael Perry, New York Times bestselling author of the adult novels Population: 485 and Truck: A Love Story.

When the world started to fall apart, the government gave everyone two choices: move into the Bubble Cities…or take their chances outside.

Maggie's family chose to live in the world that was left behind. Deciding it's time to grow up and grow tough, Maggie rechristens herself "Ford Falcon"—a name inspired by the beat-up car she finds at a nearby junkyard.

Ford's family goes to this junkyard to scavenge for things they can use or barter with the other people who live OutBubble. Her family has been able to survive this brave new world by working together. But when Ford comes home one day to discover her home ransacked and her family missing, she must find the strength to rescue her loved ones with the help of some unlikely friends.

The Scavengers is a wholly original tween novel that combines an action-packed adventure, a heartfelt family story, and a triumphant journey of self-discovery in a world where one person's junk is another person's key to survival. Katherine Applegate, author of the Newbery Medal winner The One and Only Ivan, raves: "Michael Perry pulls out all the stops in this colorful tale."

One ransacked home. One missing family. One girl with a name she found in a junkyard.

A Strong Female Protagonist: Maggie is done with being a kid. She renames herself "Ford Falcon" after an old car and sets out to prove she’s tough enough to survive anything.
Survival Story: In a world split between pristine Bubble Cities and the wild OutBubble, survival means scavenging. Ford’s family junkyard is a treasure trove…and a battlefield.
A Mysterious Disappearance: Ford comes home to a ransacked shack and one terrifying discovery: her entire family is gone.
Found Family: To rescue her loved ones, Ford must team up with unlikely friends, facing down genetically engineered solar bears and shadowy GreyDevils.