XVI by Julia Karr

325 pgs.
Target audience:
Rating: Griffin

In this futuristic totalitarian world  each girl upon reaching the age of sixteen gets a government issued tattoo making them available for sex. All girls are primped and primed for years from a barrage of advertisements in preparation for this moment, so much so that they can hardly think of anything as that day approaches. It’s supposed to be for their protection, but instead it turns them into targets for every sex craved individual. Nina doesn’t want to become the typical sex-teen like her best friend Sandy. Nina’s mother is attacked and reveals the shocking truth with her dying breath. Now Nina and her younger sister, Dee move in with their grandparents. As Nina searches for the truth about her father’s disappearance, she is plunged into a world of secrets. If that’s not enough she has to keep one step ahead of her mom’s killer who may be someone she knows. This book starts really slowly and includes many acronyms which are not explained. But stick with it, once it picks up you won’t be able to put it down. Clearly there is strong cautionary message about teen sex, predatory marketing, media-obsessed public and social climbing and can get a bit heavy handed. However it is well written and will provoke some good discussions. Besides you’ll want to read the sequel - see my review.

Truth by Julia Karr
299 pgs.
Target audience: Young Adult
Rating: Wizard

          The truth comes from multiple sources and has just as many interpretations. In Nina’s world the truth is whatever the Media says it is. Now that Nina is sixteen and has her tattoo,  everything she thought she knew about her life slowly disintegrates from lies and secrets to newly formed truths – the truth behind her mother’s sacrifice, the truth about her sister’s father, the truth about her father’s disappearance and the truth behind the government’s lies. The more the rebels push, the more dangerous life becomes. Nina’s grandparents  and her little sister, Dee, become targets forcing her to summon all her strength and courage, to put faith in new found friends and to trust her instincts. Nina moves from a passive to an active role in the rebellion. Her relationship with fellow rebel, Sal, becomes more confusing as her feelings grow stronger for her best friend’s brother, Chris. Unlike it’s predecessor this story starts out strong, maintaining the pace throughout. The characters are more developed and three dimensional, plus the author provides meanings for all the acronyms. While the first book focuses on what it means to turn sex-teen, get the tattoo and all it entails, this installment delves deeper into the secrets and lies hidden within the ruling government and the rebellion against it. Overall this was a thrilling look at a fascinating dystopian culture. Recommended for fans of Orwellian societies where the oppressed citizens are fighting the good fight.

(Book provided for review by Children’s Lit  www.childrenslit.com )