by Patricia Forde
Amazon rating: 4.0/5.0, grades 4-6
Good Reads: 3.64/5
Common Sense Media: not reviewed
4Rbooks: 2/6, Grades 6+
Synopsis:
In a dystopian future, words have been limited. Only the wordsmith knows more.
Ark is the last remaining safe place on earth. Most of the people live in town under the direction of John Noa. Under his guidance, everyone is limited to 500 words of vocabulary. Letta, 12, has become the town’s wordsmith, in control of what 500 words each person uses.
She meets a young man name Marlo who is part of a group called the desecraters. They live outside of town and still use the old vocabulary, sing, and create art, all outlawed in Ark.
Letta begins to realize there is more going on than just the rebuilding of a society after a devastating event. She learns that Noa has plans to make all speech illegal and will go to great lengths to make it happen. Letta, Marlo and the desecraters work together to stop him before it is too late.
Parental Guidance: very high
There are a variety of moments and themes in the book that make this a must pre-read by parents of elementary age students, and sensitive middle school children. Though marketed for grades 4-6, I could not recommend this to an elementary child. Torture, abortion, suicide, and a post-apocalyptic society (caused by global warming) are included in the plot. There is an uncomfortable reference to Letta knowing that another boy in town is her expected mate (both senses of the word) when she turns 18, and she’s known that since she was 11. Another uncomfortable moment occurs when a guard is urinating on a prisoner in an underground prison through a ground level hole.
Christian parents should note that this book has several veiled and negative references to the Christian faith. The setting, a place ruled by dictatorial control, is "Ark" founded by John Noa… Noah’s ark. The final horrendous solution is named Nicene as in the Nicene creed. The concept of faith is often ridiculed and sneered at.
Recommendation: low
This was a book I had high hopes for when reading the premise. I was hoping this would be a book that would delve into the importance of language and the word choices we make.
Unfortunately, the book never delivers on that promise. It is a slow read at times, with many confusing elements that make the reader re-read to get it right. The concept and consequences of limited vocabulary and lack of culture becomes overshadowed by the fight against the oppressive society. The ending is unsatisfying, and it’s no surprise (spoiler alert) there is a sequel.
For middle school children, it’s an adequate dystopian novel about rebels fighting back against the system. Otherwise, there is much potential here that is never developed and ultimately wasted.
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