About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is starting to grapple with the pressure to be perfect or begins questioning the ethics of modern technology. It is a powerful choice for pre-teens who feel like they are being molded by external expectations rather than their own choices. Set in the year 3038, the story follows thirteen-year-old Darci as she discovers the dark side of a society obsessed with genetic perfection, leading her to join an underground movement that fights for the right to be authentically human. Kathryn Lasky uses a high-stakes sci-fi setting to explore deeply personal themes of identity, bodily autonomy, and the courage required to stand up against a system that values efficiency over soul. While the futuristic elements provide an exciting backdrop, the emotional core is relatable to any middle-schooler navigating the transition from following rules to forming their own moral compass. It is a sophisticated yet accessible entry into dystopian fiction that encourages critical thinking about science and social justice.
