SuperMoon

April 30, 2018
In this star-crossed romance, two teenage girls—one from Earth, one from the Moon—forge an unexpected connection, but the secrets they hold threaten to derail a happily ever after. After defying orders and sneaking away from the lunar colony where she’s lived for the past decade, Uma Jamison revisits Earth, where she was born. While there, she encounters Talitha Neva, who makes a living as a scavenger and pseudo-celebrity streamer in AlphaZonia, a privatized city catering to the rich and spoiled. With Uma on the run from her own people and local security, she finds safety and companionship with Talitha, not suspecting that her new crush is looking for a runaway Moonling on behalf of a ruthless corporate overlord with the preposterous title of RayNay DeShoppingCart. The girls’ blossoming relationship loses some charm with its predication on coincidence and the instant-love trope: Talitha is literally the first person Uma meets on Earth. And while the satire of AlphaZonia’s rabid consumer culture is distractingly relentless, Swain’s (Gifted) fast-paced novel offers an engaging story line, a strong narrative voice, and intriguing worldbuilding. Ages 13–up. Agents: Stephanie Kip Rostan and Kerry Sparks, Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency.

June 1, 2018

Gr 8 Up-A dystopian thriller set in the not-too-distant future when humans wear internal smart technology and have created a colony on the Moon. Uma, an Earth-born girl who emigrated to the Moon ten years ago, is on the cusp of her high school graduation and entry into adulthood. But before she is given her future occupation, she's looking forward to visiting Earth for the month of Sol-a "gap month" for graduates. Unfortunately, Dr. Fornax, the Moon's president, cancels Uma's trip, believing her to be a flight risk. Despite Dr. Fornax's directive, Uma escapes to Earth, meets a teen con artist named Talitha, falls in love with her, and eventually holds the very fate of the Moon colony in her hands. Uma is clever and likable, though some of her humanizing quirks-like culturing bacteria-are never fully explored due to the adventure that ensues once she reaches Earth. The romance between Uma and Talitha happens instantly and lacks emotional depth; it is shoehorned into what is otherwise a taut thriller. Swain's creation of new technology and future-thinking vocabulary is of special interest-tech implants, sensory chips, body harvesting, and rampant consumerism via video feed are woven into the story and quite fascinating. Despite raising complicated issues, the novel's ending is neat as a bow. Novels with similar themes include M.T. Anderson's Feed, Scott Westerfeld's Uglies, and L.J.'s Adlington's The Diary of Pelly D. VERDICT Recommended where dystopian and sci-fi romance is popular.-Shannon O'Connor, Unami Middle School, Chalfont, PA

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