Bumped

Gr 9 Up—In the near future, a virus renders almost everyone over the age of 18 infertile. Teen pregnancies are not only acceptable, but also vital to humanity's survival. Sixteen-year-old Melody and her parents, like many others, have decided to go pro with her fertility. She has an agent, Lib, who has secured her a deal including a six-figure payday, full college tuition, a car, and a postpartum tummy tuck. Not everything is perfect, though. Melody is still waiting for Lib to find the perfect match for her, someone the prospective parents, the Jaydens, will accept, and her clock is ticking. To top things off, Melody has just learned that she has a twin. Harmony, who was raised in a religious commune away from the temptations of the world, shows up unexpectedly. If her existence becomes known, then Melody's DNA will no longer be unique and her value will plummet. Of course, Lib coincidentally comes up with Jondoe, the most prestigious "man brand" of them all, the Jaydens approve of him, and mistaken identity ensues. McCafferty has concocted a world that is dystopia-lite. Something horrible has happened, but life for most teens is still carefree. Everyone can access MiNet via contact lenses, the pleasure drug Tocin is readily available, and sex is encouraged. The author even slips some serious issues into this hip novel.—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI