In the future, an isolated family struggles to survive in a frozen world after the Earth is torn from the Sun. A Pail of Air is very rich thematically. Its most prominent themes are hope, courage, optimism, resilience, and the importance of human connection, particularly through family bonds.

NB: if you’re rolling your eyes right now I get it, but well, reading this story can’t hurt (at the very least, it might provide some quality distraction).