Scripted

Gr 7–10—Scripted is a book with an intriguing premise that never quite makes it to prime time. Imagine what life on a reality television show would be like if you were always "on," birth to death, a few generations of people living their lives on Bliss Island for the entertainment of the far less comfortable masses in the Sectors. More than never enjoying privacy is at stake for Nettie because when a Character's ratings drop too far below expectations, she becomes eligible to be "cut." People like her father disappear, and those left behind have only vague ideas of what becoming a Patriot involves when the Reals come to drag them away for breaking the rules of the Contract or for not measuring up. Now that she is 16, Nettie learns that her unimpressive ratings put her at risk, a target for Media1's Initiative—meetings with producers who make suggestions about actions on camera that will provide a jump in popularity for those characters, yielding bonus money and other rewards. Even though Nettie has long had a crush on Callen, he has been dating her uber-popular friend Lia, so she hesitates to take the suggestion to flirt with him even after the couple breaks up. Nettie is torn between her distrust of Media1 and the payoff from going along with the Initiative until character cuts drive her suspicions to confirmation that her controllers have covert and sinister plans. With writing that is somewhat pedestrian and an opening chapter that drops readers into the midst of random high school gossip with no world-building to establish the scenario, there is little to hook or anchor those visiting Bliss; however, those who make it past the pilot may stay engaged for the whole season.—Suzanne Gordon, Lanier High School, Sugar Hill, GA