Twinmaker

Gr 8 Up—Clair and Libby, both 17, are best friends, but they couldn't be more different. Libby is impulsive and easily bored, while Clair likes to finish what she starts. The futuristic society in which they live relies heavily on dematerialization technology, machines that allow people to teleport themselves and fabricate material goods. When Libby uses "d-mat" to improve her looks, Clair starts to worry that something has gone terribly wrong. This leads Clair to uncover layers of corruption at high levels of government. Given the dystopian genre, it's not surprising that the plot contains a love triangle, lots of adventure, and an abrupt conclusion that makes a sequel seem inevitable. The science-fiction elements are complex and confusing when juxtaposed with the action-heavy plot. While the book does touch upon self-image issues, the concept of "Improvement" is tangential to the meat of the story. The title functions as a spoiler for a plot development that doesn't occur until a third of the way through the book. In spite of these issues, this novel will appeal to dystopian fiction fans who want an accessible new read. Give this one to teens who enjoy action-packed books such as Veronica Roth's "Divergent" trilogy (HarperCollins).—Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH