A Perfect Blank

by Rye Duran

Overview

Project Apogee had one mission: to create biologically engineered perfect teenagers. The teenagers were supposed to be expressions of a perfect genetic mapping of traits, an example of the New Human. But when the teens go before the project committee, they are found to be utterly normal and unremarkable, a disappointment. Then there's Alex, the lost teen who failed years ago, who might just be the most remarkable of them all.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538382851
Publisher:	Enslow Publishing, LLC
Publication date:	02/16/2020
Series:	YA Verse
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	570L (what's this?)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

Editorial Reviews

01/01/2020

Gr 8 Up—Meet Alex: one of 10 biologically engineered humans as part of Project Apogee. For years, these promising New Humans have been the next level of genetic perfection. Except for Alex, who at the age of eight is kicked out of the program for testing only slightly above average (and exuding too many "feminine qualities"). Now 15, Alex is thriving, living as their true self with a truly amazing skill until one phone call leads them back to Project Apogee. The nine other perfect humans have all just tested as unextraordinary and Project Apogee needs Alex, the first failure and possibly now the most extraordinary, to help. A solid debut from trans author Duran that looks into a sci-fi future not too distant from our own. Written in free verse, the plot's pacing moves rapidly, using Project Apogee to explore societal views on what makes a human flawless. The dynamic of the authority figure (Project Apogee) vs. the moldable individuals (New Humans) allows Alex to beautifully stand up for themselves by embracing who they are and what they love. Though there is a very quick and clean resolution, Alex's journey toward self-love really hits home near the end when they realize that no one is a mistake, and no one needs to prove their worth. VERDICT For the collection looking to build its LGBT titles, this is a book that praises every life as remarkable and worthy.—Emily Walker, Lisle Library District, IL

School Library Journal

2019-11-07
What happens when designer babies don't turn out the way their designers intended?

In the very near future, humanity is suffering. "There wasn't / enough food or medicine / to go around. We were made / to be the solution." Trans teen Alex and their nine siblings were created to be saviors of the human race by Project Apogee. Each had their own special area of expertise, and all excelled at first; then Alex didn't. When the 10 kids returned from their foster parents' houses at age 7 for tests, Alex didn't satisfy Dr. Pinker and was told they wouldn't be let back in. Their sister Anto hints that part of the reason was that Alex was too girly. Alex is comfortable with their feminine side and with being free from the Project. They lose touch with the other nine, until at 15 they all return to Apogee for more testing and learn they have lost their abilities. Alex is invited back for further study, and they go in hopes of saving their siblings from Dr. Pinker. Debut trans novelist Duran has created a page-turning science fiction narrative in blank verse that simultaneously sensitively and realistically displays the feelings of a trans teen. Any outsider will identify with Alex's feelings of otherness and failure and cheer when their otherness is the key to success.

Aimed at reluctant readers, this will satisfy the voracious reader too. (Verse novel. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews

"For the collection looking to build its LGBT titles, this is a book that praises every life as remarkable and worthy." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher