Forget Tomorrow

October 1, 2015

Gr 6 Up-Dunn's brisk-paced debut dystopian novel begins with Callie and her friends anxiously awaiting their 17th birthday, on which they will receive a memory from the future. This important vision will affect their lives, their careers, and all aspects of their destiny. Callie's day finally arrives, and she finds out that her future self will one day stab her clairvoyant little sister. Horrified at seeing herself kill the person she's closest to, Callie turns to Logan, a friend from long ago, who helps her escape. Trying to avoid a future in which she's imprisoned for her whole life by a government organization, Callie follows Logan to a community in the woods where others like her live to keep their tragic visions from happening. Feelings between the two spark. Callie must decide if she is in charge of her fate or if her fate is in charge of her. The premise is a good one, and those who enjoyed Lauren Oliver's "Delirium" trilogy (HarperCollins) will be fans of this tale. Dunn includes likable characters, the obligatory evil leaders, and an oppressive government. There is a twist ending that will catch most readers off-guard, which will thrill some and frustrate others. A few loose ends and an epilogue leave the story open to a possible sequel. VERDICT Recommended for avid dystopian fans.-Jane Hebert, Glenside Public Library District, Glendale Heights, IL

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