Building 903

What worked:
The author is a master of writing dystopian novels for middle-grade readers. In this setting, the government controls everything, and citizens are afraid to say anything against the president. He has ruled for decades, and no one opposes him during elections. Animals have been eliminated from the planet, and Tessa’s pet “dog” is robotic. No religions are allowed, so the characters don’t know the meanings of prayers or the bible. All books have been banned because they spread dangerous ideas. Anyhow, fiction books are untrue, so why would anyone want to read about lies? Possessing books is against the law, and their presence in Tessa’s house creates drama.
Tessa was born a twin, but her brother Theo isn’t around anymore. Readers will wonder what’s happened to him, and investigators don’t know why he went missing. The government doesn’t like leaving Theo’s disappearance unsolved, so they’ve erased all records that he ever existed. The family doesn’t speak about him, but Tessa constantly keeps his memory in her thoughts. However, passages from Theo’s point of view pop up in the narrative, so readers know he still exists somewhere. The first passages describe him on a sailing ship, but readers will be puzzled by this new information. What happened to Theo, and what does their former neighbor know about it?
What didn’t work as well:
The book is mostly dystopian science fiction, but the absence of Theo inexplicably shifts it into the genre of speculative fiction. Tessa’s father tries to explain Theo’s disappearance, and it makes scientific sense up to a point. The moment Theo vanishes takes the story into speculative fiction because it lacks a logical, scientific basis.
The final verdict:
It’s always fun to see how authors foresee possible futures for the world, and this book takes current societal issues and makes them obsolete. It will have readers comparing and contrasting their lives with events in the story. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot!

Fourteen-year-old Tessa's twin brother Theo has gone missing and is presumed dead. The world has erased him, but Tessa can never forget. When an elderly neighbor, Miriam, is sent off to Eldercare, she gives Tessa a key to the house. Tessa finds boxes with something she's only heard about. Books! They've been banned, but what Tessa finds next is even more surprising. Something that might lead her back to Theo.

What worked: Intriguing new dystopian world from the author of The Giver. In this world, imagination is banned. That includes not only books but things like playgrounds. Tessa's world is filled with a scientific background, but not one that might lead someone to seek more. When her twin goes missing, none of her parents talk about him. Her brilliant father hides in his home office and only comes out for dinner. When Miriam's 'surprise' is revealed, Tessa's father breaks down and shares what he's been doing behind closed doors.

This dystopian world is fleshed out with its harsh take on those who dare not listen to the narcissistic leader. In this world, even tattoos are banned, but are used on those who commit crimes against the country. In one case, even possessing a book is a crime. Building 903 is filled with books that have been banned. This is the extreme world of those who ban books. These individuals think that banning books they feel are offensive will help. When in fact it leads to much worse consequences.

The pacing at times is slow, and when Tessa's father explains what he thinks happened to Theo, that does drag on for a tad bit too long. The final climax of the story felt rushed, too. Saying that, though I wanted to know more about the idea of transporting into a book. The theory behind that possibility is fascinating. I just wanted to know more.

The siblings' close tie with their secret speaks is the catalyst that moves this story. That and those who dare to stand up against injustices like banning books and other things that use someone's imagination. If such a world did exist, it would be a very dreary place indeed.

Thought-provoking dystopian tale where the power of imagination can help save humanity and those who dare to stand up against those who force conformity on all.