Books › The girl who owned a city
The girl who owned a city
First published 1975 · 200 pages
A gritty, pragmatic exploration of ultimate childhood independence where survival means growing up overnight.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into the ultimate, high-stakes childhood thought experiment: what happens when all the adults disappear? The atmosphere is a fascinating blend of desolate post-apocalyptic tension and the empowering thrill of total independence. It moves at a brisk, problem-solving pace, focusing heavily on the gritty logistics of scavenging, defending territory, and organizing a new society from scratch. The narration carries a distinctly earnest, almost didactic tone, championing fierce self-reliance and individualism above all else. It is a story devoid of lyrical fluff, opting instead for straightforward, utilitarian prose that mirrors its protagonist's pragmatic mindset. This is a deeply satisfying read for anyone who loves survival narratives and the fantasy of kids taking absolute control of their own destiny.
- Mood
- tense
- desolate
- empowering
- resourceful
- Tone
- earnest
- pragmatic
- didactic
- determined
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- self-reliance · burden of leadership · building society · individualism · loss of innocence
- The writing
- Straightforward and utilitarian, focusing heavily on the practical logistics of survival and organization.
- The arc
- Moves from the terrifying vulnerability of sudden abandonment to the fierce, hardened pride of self-sufficient leadership.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love detailed survival logistics and the fantasy of children building their own society without adult interference.
Content notes
- death of parents
- child endangerment
- gun violence
- starvation and scarcity
About the book
When a plague sweeps over the earth killing everyone except children under twelve, ten-year-old Lisa organizes a group to rebuild a new way of life.
Description from Open Library.
Books like The girl who owned a city
See why they match
Empty worldJohn ChristopherA hauntingly quiet exploration of what it means to be the last one left behind in a world that has suddenly stopped.
AshesIlsa J. BickA relentless, high-stakes fight for survival where an unlikely trio navigates a shattered, monster-filled world.
The drowned citiesPaolo BacigalupiA brutal, swamp-drenched descent into a flooded future where loyalty is the only currency left.
Shade's childrenGarth NixA relentless, shadow-drenched fight for survival in a bleak world where growing up is a literal death sentence.
The Magic CityEdith NesbitA whimsical, dreamlike journey where the mundane objects of a lonely childhood transform into a sprawling, magical landscape.
This World We Live InSusan Beth PfefferA claustrophobic, deeply intimate look at the quiet, devastating realities of surviving the end of the world.