The Ones

June 27, 2016
In Sweren-Becker’s uneven debut, one percent of the population has benefited from genetic modification at birth, which endows the Ones, as they are called, with beauty, intelligence, and other heightened traits. Cody Bell, 16, and her 17-year-old boyfriend, James, are both Ones, and life is good in their California town until the Supreme Court declares genetic engineering illegal. In addition, a group called the Equality Movement is taking aim at the Ones, seeking to guarantee equal rights for all citizens. When Cody is approached by a mysterious boy named Kai, she’s drawn into the violent side of activism, and to Kai himself. Third-person narration switches between James and Cody, now at odds, as James discovers that his father hides a terrifying secret. Sweren-Becker’s near-future story is well-timed to tap into ongoing conversations about inequality, privilege, and extremism, but the book’s exploration of topics like discrimination, government oppression, and radicalization tends toward the superficial. Cody, meanwhile, turns on a dime, making decisions that may have readers scratching their heads—particularly her continuing fascination with Kai even after his group shows its ruthless side. Ages 15–up. (Sept.)■

July 15, 2016
In a near-future America, intolerance against genetically engineered citizens takes a violent turn.For the past 20 years, 1 percent of all babies born in America have been part of a National Institutes of Health study. Their genomes were manipulated to keep some of their parents' traits and remove others. Known as the Ones and for some reason identically engineered to be "tall, sturdy athletes with perfect facial features," they are now coming of age--and having a much bigger impact on society than expected. So society rebels against the Ones, and Congress passes the Equality Act. For Cody and her boyfriend, James, both Ones and both white, it means becoming second-class citizens. At least it does for James--in a nonsensical plot twist, Cody is revealed to not be a One. Yet this doesn't protect her when the peaceful protest they run at their school goes very wrong. The only question becomes what the Ones are willing to do to stand up for their rights and how the government will respond. Not that readers will care all that much, given the flat, lifeless characterization and tell-don't-show plotting. Simplistic logic doesn't come close to exploring the meaty ethical dilemma at the core of the novel. (Among other "unfair advantages" that Cody points out are not being legislated against, she includes "having a parent at home who has time to read to you" but not race.) The interesting concept is utterly foiled by pedestrian writing. (Dystopian thriller. 14-18)

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August 1, 2016

Gr 9 Up-Cody and James are both gennys-that's the disparaging nickname given to the one percent of the U.S. population who were genetically engineered for superior brains, looks, and athletic skills. Popular sentiment has turned against the social experiment, initiated by the National Institute of Health 18 years earlier. Members of the Equality movement are using the courts and thuggish tactics to bring the Ones down. Along with a law making their very existence illegal, there is talk of a vaccine that would reverse their genetic advantages. Though Cody and James have been girlfriend and boyfriend for several years, they don't see eye to eye on the best course of action. Cody joins the New Weathermen, a rebel group determined to fight for the Ones' rights to be who they were born (or made) to be. James is less likely to rush into things, though he doesn't want to be changed, either. When a peaceful school demonstration gets out of hand, the stakes are raised for everyone. Loose ends in the final pages point clearly to a sequel. The science of the plot is thin, but the chase scenes have vivid moments. Cody loves James but is attracted to Kai, a New Weatherman. A big reveal about Cody's identity doesn't fully add up, but that flaw doesn't seem to have much impact on the plot. VERDICT This middle-of-the-pack offering is suitable for high schools needing more dystopian adventures.-Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

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