[LM_NET] Review: YA Hot Pick: CANDOR

[Pamela Thompson <pthomp@SISD.NET>]

Candor


by Pam Bachorz


Egmont, 2009.


249 pages




The messages are everywhere. Broadcast day and night, even when you are sleeping. 
The messages control your mind, all your thoughts are not your own. Oscar Bank's 
father created Candor, a "perfect" town in Florida. He sells homes to people who 
wish to create their perfect lives with their perfect children. Even the parents 
are fed subliminal messages to control behaviors. You want to lose weight? Quit 
smoking? Get rid of all your bad habits? Just put your name on the waiting list for 
a house in Candor.



Oscar's father has actually invented a new addiction: aural addiction, the 
addiction to listening. If you decide not to listen to the tapes, or cd's or music, 
you start to go through a form of withdrawal: migraine headaches and even suicide 
attempts can follow.





Oscar is strong. He fights the messages. He learns to listen to his own Oscar-made 
messages that override Candor's messages. He never lets on that he helps kids 
escape town. When there is a run-away, he is never found. Oscar is building quite a 
bank account--the kids pay him to help them escape Candor.

His one faltering step, a girl named Nia, is threatening to topple Oscar's 
enterprise. This book is highly original. This novel sparkles! Kids who like 
dystopian fiction or a strong male protagonist are sure to like this one.



Highly recommended for YA collections. Grade 7-up.



just posted to my blog

http://booksbypamelathompson/blogspot/com/







Pamela Thompson, MLIS
Library Media Specialist
Col. John O. Ensor Middle School
13600 Ryderwood
El Paso, TX
915-937-6018
pthomp@sisd.net<mailto:pthomp@sisd.net>

visit my YA novel blog at http://booksbypamelathompson.blogspot.com/


"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog is too dark to 
read." --Groucho Marx

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, you send a message to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER:
1) SIGNOFF LM_NET
2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL
4) SET LM_NET DIGEST

 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/join.html
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/category/links/el-announce/
 * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/

--------------------------------------------------------------------