Editorial Content for The August 5

In video game author Jenna Helland’s debut novel, THE AUGUST 5, every citizen on the Seahaven islands are split into two social classes, the Zuftmen and the Cottagers. The Zuftmen are the upper class, the political leaders, engineers and scientists who run the islands. The Cottagers only have one purpose --- to serve the Zuftmen. They are the lower-class beggars, shopkeepers, nannies and servants.

Thomas Shore is the 14-year-old son of Chief Administrator Colston Shore. Tommy and his twin brother, Bern, have lived lives of privilege, and have never had to work a day in their lives. They even had a household Cottager, Mrs. Trueblood, raise them after their mother died. Unlike his fellow Zuftmen, Tommy views the Cottagers a regular, innocent people who are just trying to survive.

Tamsin Henry is the 15-year-old daughter of Cottager rebel leader and journalist, Michael Henry. When Michael and many other Cottagers lead a failed revolt against Sevenna City and Tamsin is hurt in the process, she is sent to hide in Sevenna to recuperate. Tamsin’s father and four other men (later to be known as the August Five) are captured and thrown in jail to await their trials.

When Tommy’s father sends him and his brother to Seminary school, he meets Kristin, Ellie and Charlotte, relatives of major political leaders and the only girls who attend the school. The more time Tommy spends with them, the more they bring to his attention the disappearance of the former Chief of Administration, Toulson Hywel. Meanwhile, Tamsin notices the disappearance of Cottagers and the Zufts’ violence towards them, and she wants to make a change.

I recommend THE AUGUST 5 to those who enjoy studying the balance of government systems and political justice.

Tommy meets Tamsin (now going by Emilie) at the local bar where she works and he recognizes her as the girl he saved in the woods months ago. She teaches him about the Zufts’ brutal nature, and as more acts of terrorism occur between the classes, both Tommy and Tasmin learn that their fathers aren’t as perfect as they seem. In order to bring peace between the Cottagers and the Zuftmen, the two teens must first come to terms with their families and build up the courage to unite the Cottagers once more for a common cause.

The main purpose of THE AUGUST 5 is to demonstrate rebellion against an unjust government, and I enjoyed reading about how the lower classes were affected by the government. I also liked how the book showed that rebellion isn’t always this “sunny-side up” situation, the way some books make it seem. 

The two main characters, Tamsin and Tommy, are incredibly mature for their age. Before I re-read the summary of the book and saw their ages, I thought they were at least 16 years old. The beginning of every chapter contained a paragraph or two from the JFA Bulletin, which either summarized the outcome of the events that happened in the previous chapter or what event will happen in the current chapter. I found that extremely helpful when remembering all the events that happened.

I kind of wish that Helland had explored Tamsin and Tommy’s relationship more, all while keeping it friendly and not romantic. To me, it felt like Tamsin and Tommy were only together for a couple of chapters and barely knew each other. However, the absence of romance between the two protagonists did please me because that’s a rare find in YA books.

I recommend THE AUGUST 5 to those who enjoy studying the balance of government systems and political justice. Also, if you enjoyed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (minus making minors fight to the death), then this would be a good read for you.