Memory Girl

Gr 7 Up—This strange novel is set in a postapocalyptic world on an island with a fenced community called ShareHaven. The residents live forever unless killed by accidental means. They also do not reproduce, but instead, every 25 years, 15 young people are born through scientific methods and raised to be the memory carriers of important members of the society. Jennza is one of those youths; however, she has reservations about the way things are. She struggles with accepting that she must join a Family in the community and become someone else. When she is chosen by a Family she wasn't expecting, she begins to wonder about her world and has trouble with the process of getting someone else's memories. This book contains dystopian themes and weaves ideas about life and religion. While Jennza is a believable, complex character, the constant plot turns will be a bit much for readers. The many complicated ideas about the community and the unraveling threads take too long to unfold and then are hastily and only partially resolved. There is an attempt at introducing love interests for Jennza, but that story line is also convoluted and underdeveloped.