Facsimile

April 1, 2016

Gr 8 Up-All Ann has ever wanted is to get off of the terraformed planet Eco and go back to Earth, the land of her ancestors. When a ship carrying an ambitious captain and his biologist nephew lands on Eco, Ann's life is turned upside down. Suddenly, Eco isn't as boring as she thought, and she discovers that things on Earth aren't as perfect as she's been led to believe. Finding out what drove humans to move to Eco and how they have learned to live there is a bright spot in a story that could otherwise feel predictable. Eco is a planet with a complex history, ecosystem, and place in the universe. The machinations of how humans interact with the planet bring elements of science and technology that science fiction lovers will enjoy. The characters are believable and easy to like. However, their idealism sometimes leans toward caricature; Ann's single-minded desire to get to Earth, despite the warnings of her equality-crusading friend Emie, is trying at times. In addition, repeated mentions of sexual activity seem at odds with the rest of the story and the writing style. VERDICT A great choice for those who are ready for something more science fiction than dystopian.-Alexandra Patterson, Mercersburg Academy Library, PA

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.