Young actress Saoirse Ronan is set to star in an adaptation of Meg Rosoff’s novel How I Live Now. Variety reports that The Last King of Scotland helmer Kevin Macdonald is onboard to direct, from a script by Jeremy Brock (The Last King of Scotland) and Tony Grisoni (best name ever). The period drama tells the story of Daisy, a teenage girl from New York City who travels to England in order to spend the summer with family. World War II breaks out and Daisy and another young girl find themselves attempting to survive alone in the woods as they search for safety.

Ronan was fantastic in this year’s Hanna, and this role sounds like it’s right in her wheelhouse. The actress has been busy as of late, as she’s currently filming Neil Jordan’s Byzantium. Ronan is also set to star in Andrew Niccol’s adaptation of the Stephanie Meyer sci-fi novel The Host. Hit the jump to read a synopsis for How I Live Now.

Here’s the synopsis for How I Live Now:

Fifteen-year-old Daisy is sent from Manhattan to England to visit her aunt and cousins she’s never met: three boys near her age, and their little sister. Her aunt goes away on business soon after Daisy arrives. The next day bombs go off as London is attacked and occupied by an unnamed enemy.

As power fails, and systems fail, the farm becomes more isolated. Despite the war, it’s a kind of Eden, with no adults in charge and no rules, a place where Daisy’s uncanny bond with her cousins grows into something rare and extraordinary. But the war is everywhere, and Daisy and her cousins must lead each other into a world that is unknown in the scariest, most elemental way.

A riveting and astonishing story. [Amazon]