H2O by Virginia Bergin (327 Pages)

What if all of a sudden, rain became poison? Anyone touched by the rain would die.  Drinkable water would quickly run out. The book  is set in England, and Ruby is experiencing this assault on water. She lives with her mom, her baby step brother and her step father (whom she really dislikes). The poison rain is a world-wide occurrence.  As all of her neighbors are dying, and then Ruby's mother and baby brother die, Ruby is left with her step father who makes every effort to protect her with rules that become increasingly difficult for Ruby to obey. She finally leaves home in search of her father  and brother who live in London. Her travel is frightening and constantly testing her ability to survive. The book is fast paced, and in spite of  the reader's knowledge that it is fantasy, there is enough potential truth to cause the reader to think,"What if?"