Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien is another book that I couldn't resist from our Scholastic Book Fair. (BTW, Great job, Mrs. K.!) In this futuristic novel, a girl named Gaia, is following in her mother's footsteps to becoming a midwife. The setting of the book is pretty grim. It is about 300 years into the future, the sun is harsh, and the Great Lakes are now "unlakes." Gaia lives in the outskirt of a city that is walled in. The only time she enters the gate is to deliver babies who fulfil the "Enclaves" quota of the first three babies a month. Then, Gaia's parents are arrested and she is interrogated. This is the first book of a trilogy. I can't wait to read the second book. I'm not the only one who loved this book. See below!
Readers who enjoy adventures with a strong heroine standing up to authority against the odds will enjoy this compelling tale.”—
School Library Journal
“A wonderful addition to the dystopian genre.”—TeensReadToo.com
“Reminiscent of both 1984 and a Brave New World, this gripping page-turner is a perfect intro to futuristic, dystopian fiction. . . . Readers accompany the novel’s inspiring heroine on an undertaking brimming with danger, intrigue, and romance.”—Education.com
“O’Brien’s . . . impulsive and spirited heroine . . . is the kind readers adore.”—Booklist
“This science fiction adventure is a brisk and sometimes provocative read, thanks to solid pacing, a resourceful heroine, and a few surprise twists.”—Publishers Weekly
“Well-written and fast-paced.”—VOYA
“In grand dystopic tradition.”—Kirkus Reviews
“It was a very good book that made me think.”—Abby, age 12
“I love dystopian futures. Birthmarked is great dystopian future.”—Sam, age 16
