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TL;DR: In the small town of Perdido Beach, California, everyone over the age of fourteen suddenly disappears. The children left behind find themselves trapped inside a huge, invisible dome. Some of them begin to develop strange powers. Sam Temple, a reluctant hero, must protect the younger kids while a dangerous group from a private school tries to take control.
Table of Contents
Gone at a Glance
| Author | Michael Grant |
| First published | 2008 |
| Type | Science fiction |
| Best for | readers who want a gripping, intense survival story about kids alone |
Gone is the first book in Michael Grant's Gone series, published in 2008. It has been compared to Lord of the Flies with superpowers. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes violence, bullying, death and frightening creatures.
Main Characters
- Sam Temple: A reluctant leader with powers.
- Astrid Ellison: A brilliant girl who helps Sam.
- Caine Soren: A charismatic and dangerous leader.
- Quinn: Sam's best friend.
- Little Pete: Astrid's autistic younger brother, who has huge power.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
Gone
In the middle of a school day, every adult and every teenager over fourteen vanishes. Phones and TV stop working. The children of Perdido Beach discover that a giant barrier surrounds the area, which they call the FAYZ, the Fallout Alley Youth Zone. Sam, who once saved a school bus, is looked to as a leader.
Powers
Some children, and some animals, develop strange powers. Sam can shoot light from his hands. Others can move fast, heal or read minds. Mutated animals, such as talking coyotes and flying snakes, appear. Sam and Astrid protect Little Pete, whose powers are mysterious.
Caine
Caine Soren, a student from Coates Academy, a private school for troubled kids, arrives with his followers. He has telekinetic powers and wants to rule the town. He sets up harsh control, with his violent friend Drake. Caine turns out to be Sam's twin brother, separated at birth.
The poof
The children learn that on their fifteenth birthday, they will “poof” and disappear too. Sam's birthday is coming. Meanwhile, a dark presence in an old mine, the Darkness, influences the coyotes and Caine. Lana, a girl who can heal, discovers its power.
The battle
Sam leads the town's kids against Caine's group in a fierce battle. On his birthday, Sam chooses to resist the “poof,” and he stays in the FAYZ. He wins the battle and becomes the leader of Perdido Beach. But the Darkness remains, and the children face a long struggle to survive.
5 Key Takeaways
- Leadership can be thrust upon people.
- Power can corrupt even children.
- Survival requires cooperation.
- Courage means making hard choices.
- Not all threats are visible.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Ordinary people can become heroes.
- Responsibility can be heavy.
- Unity is stronger than fear.
Who Should Read Gone?
Read Gone if you enjoy intense, survival-based science fiction with superpowers. It suits teens.
About Michael Grant
Michael Grant (born 1954) is an American author who co-wrote the Animorphs series with his wife, Katherine Applegate. The Gone series includes six books, followed by the Monster trilogy. His other works include the Front Lines series, set in an alternate Second World War.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Gone:
- Why do the kids choose Sam as leader?
- How does Caine use his power?
- What do you think the Darkness is?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Gone is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Gone, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is fast and gripping, though very dark at times.
What to Read Next
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding: boys alone on an island
- Under the Dome by Stephen King: a town trapped under a dome
- Hunger by Michael Grant: the second Gone book
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gone about?
Everyone over fourteen disappears, and the remaining kids must survive under a dome.
Who wrote it?
Michael Grant, in 2008.
What is the FAYZ?
The area inside the dome, short for Fallout Alley Youth Zone.
What happens at fifteen?
Kids “poof” and disappear.
Who is Sam Temple?
A reluctant leader with powers.
Who is Caine Soren?
Sam's twin and rival.
What is the Darkness?
A mysterious force in a mine.
Is it a series?
Yes, six books.
What age is it for?
Teens.
How long is it?
About 560 pages.
Is it violent?
Yes, at times.
What comes next?
Hunger.
Is Gone like Lord of the Flies?
Yes, it shares the idea of kids building a society alone, with added powers.
Who are the main characters in Gone?
The main characters are Sam Temple, Astrid Ellison, Caine Soren, Quinn and Little Pete. Sam Temple: A reluctant leader with powers. Astrid Ellison: A brilliant girl who helps Sam. Caine Soren: A charismatic and dangerous leader.
Is Gone worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a gripping, intense survival story about kids alone. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.