The Program (Program #1)

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Author(s)

Suzanne Young

Publisher

Simon Pulse

Genre(s)

Dystopian

Age Range

12+

Release Date

April 30, 2013

ISBN

9781442445802

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Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories. Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

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An All Time Favorite

May 08, 2013

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Since Suzanne Young first announced her sale of The Program I have been waiting for this book. The premise sounded amazing and I just loved Suzanne Young's debut, The Naughty List. While The Program ended up taking a different path from the one I had predicted, it was amazing in every way and I already am eagerly anticipating the sequel!

I loved that while The Program is a dystopian, it is very much our society as it is today. Suzanne Young dramatizes a very real issue in our society to the point that it has become a ruling aspect of Sloane's world. That world does not seem so farfatched and that was absolutely chilling and frightening.

The Program was a book that brought out all my emotions. I was so captivated by the premise and everything was only heightened as the book went on. I couldn't believe everything that happened and I found my heart breaking on more than one occasion. The premise was very different from what I had originally been anticipating and I loved the surprise that I found around every plot turn Suzanne Young threw at readers.

I loved Sloane and James - what great characters. The idea that the teens aren't allowed to show emotion without the risk of being enrolled in the Program is horrifying, but it adds a much needed element to dramatize the premise even more. James and Sloane having each other is such a helpful thing.

By the ending, I was absolutely stunned. The last few chapters passed in a frenzy of my emotions getting higher and higher - I was so involved and just so impressed at the awesome that had just happened. The sequel to The Program may have just become the book I am most anticipating for next year.

Suzanne Young is such a talented writer and I cannot wait to see what is next for Sloane and the rest of the crew. The narrow world Sloane has known has imploded and with that, the story is only going to get better.

Erica Top 50 Reviewer 192 reviews

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A book that keeps its hold on you from beginning to end!

August 01, 2013

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The program takes place in a time when suicide is an epidemic for teenagers and possibly adults. A new "drug" called quikdeath is a popular method of doing the job. Because of the stats, Sloane's school district have developed something called the program, where they "rehabilitate" you by erasing all of the "bad" memories that may trigger suicide. After all your memories are erased, you go to a special school filled with people all from the program. Ever since her brother Brady killed himself, Sloane and her boyfriend James have tried to keep each other from going to the program. All they had to do was wait until they are 18 and then the program loses its grip on them.... But then something happens, and James goes to the program. Sloane follows soon. Soon, all her memories are erased, except one due to a special pill she got that let her remember a slit under her mattress that holds a picture of her, James, and Brady. While in the program, Sloane discovers an ally called Realm, but the end has you wondering... Is he really all that good? The program is a book not to be missed. I am eagerly waiting the next installment of this fantastic series.