Wave (eric walters)

Wave is a young adult novel written by Eric Walters, published in 2005. The story revolves around a high school English teacher, Ben, who, in an attempt to teach his students about the dangers of Nazi Germany, creates an experimental movement called "The Wave". The movement is designed to demonstrate the appeal of discipline, community, and authoritarianism, but it quickly spirals out of control.

As the movement gains momentum, the students become more and more enthusiastic, but they also become intolerant of anyone who opposes them. The novel explores the themes of conformity, groupthink, and the dangers of blindly following a charismatic leader.

Through the characters of Laurie, a student who is initially drawn to The Wave, and her boyfriend, David, who is more skeptical, the novel examines the tension between individual freedom and the desire for community and belonging. As The Wave gains more power, the students begin to realize the dark implications of their actions, and they must confront the consequences of their decisions.

The novel is loosely based on a real-life experiment conducted by Ron Jones in a California high school in 1967, in which he created a similar movement to teach his students about the dangers of totalitarianism. Eric Walters' Wave is a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of the human desire for community and the dangers of unchecked power.

Recommended reading for fans of dystopian fiction, The Giver by Lois Lowry, or Lord of the Flies by William Golding.