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THE FUTURE OF US by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler



copyright date: November 2011
primarily marketed for: young adults (12 and up)

This is another book I got free and signed at the NCTE convention in November. 


As soon as I returned back to school, this book was checked out and it just now, in February made its way back into my hands long enough for me to read it. 

I am really not sure why my students were even passing this book around because this book was written to entertain me.  Seriously.

First of all, it takes place in 1996—the year I graduated high school.  How cool is that? 

Second of all, it is written in alternating viewpoints with Josh’s character written by Jay Asher and Emma’s character written by Carolyn Mackler.  How fun is that?

The fun does not stop there, though!  The premise is that Josh receives an America Online CD in the mail.  Remember those?  No?  That’s because this book is about what it was like back in the day!

Since his mom won’t allow him to get the internet at his house, he brings the CD over to his neighbor and long time friend, Emma.  Immediately it is apparent that there is some tension between friends, but that just adds another layer to the already intriguing plot (and is sort of, maybe where the title comes from). 

You see, when Emma inserts the CD in her computer to download AOL, she gives herself a screen name and password.  However, instead of AOL popping up, her Facebook page from 15 years in the future appears!  What?!?!?  Facebook didn’t even exist then!

The best part is that her future doesn’t look so good.  I know, that sounds mean of me, but I didn’t expect that twist and it sure makes for an interesting story!  It doesn’t take Emma and Josh long to realize that this is no joke, and that Josh also has a future Facebook page. 

The real fun begins when Emma realizes that her future is changing based on her current actions.  How far will she go to avoid the future her Facebook predicts for her?  And will her actions cause the future ripples she is hoping they will? 

Read this book and see what it is like to be inside both my current and my teenage heads!
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Comments

  1. Ms. YinglingFebruary 21, 2012 at 5:29 AM

    I'm still waiting to get a copy of this-- it does sound like it would appeal more to people who lived through all the various stages of computers and social media, but we'll see!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Deb DayFebruary 21, 2012 at 8:43 AM

    My copy is here--I may have to grab it before a kid does!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Linda BFebruary 21, 2012 at 10:18 AM

    Really sounds like a good story, Christy. I've seen it around but still haven't read it. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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