Tania Unsworth

4.5*
This was a fast-paced middle grade futuristic science fiction about what the world is like with limited amounts of water. While this theme isn't really explored much within the plot of the story, the idea of family - and more specifically, what happens to children in this kind of world is explored. Devin has to leave his farm right away at the beginning of the story because his grandfather has died (talk about pulling on the heart strings and pulling us into the story right away!) and he cannot take care of the farm all by himself. His farm is protected by the elements by large hills which create a valley and there is a stream that runs through it. This is the first time Devin has ever left his home and ends up greatly surprised by what he encounters on the other side of the hills. The world is decimated by the sun and nothing grows. People have had to move to the cities to try to find food and work. Devin ends up finding Kit, someone he can trust, and through a series of events, they are taken to a home for children where they can only dream of living. A place where they can play and swim, and ride bikes, and eat whatever they want. As in any book, things are not what they seem at this home for children and Devin and his friends have to figure out what it is.

One of the interesting pieces that the author chooses to include, but doesn't explore very fully, is a condition that Devin has called synesthesia. "Synesthesia is a neurological trait or condition that results in a joining or merging of senses that aren't normally connected" (qz.com). So for Devin, when he sees something visual, there will at times be a sound or taste associated with it. He sees birds flying up above and he talks about what sound that triggers when he literally cannot hear them flying. He also sees hills and talks about the nice beat and color the is triggered in his brain by those hills. He thinks everyone else is like this but comes to realize slowly that others are not like him. This never seems to bring him down though, and he is actually able to utilize this condition to his advantage. This helps him remember things like maps, routes, and moments in a way that others would think to be similar to having a photographic memory which is beneficial in this world and in some of the situations he is in.

While nothing in this book felt very deep or explored to its fullest potential, this was a fun futuristic book that I enjoyed reading. It was a very easy read and it was easy to get attached to Devin. While some parts of the ending felt a little too convenient and nicely wrapped up, it was a fun read that I would definitely recommend to middle grade students.… (more)