Jillian+R.

media type="custom" key="7986926" align="right"
 * THE DARK SIDE OF NOWHERE **

**nn A Novel by Neal Shusterman **


 * .......... What if your life changed in a blink of an eye, and you were not who you thought you were? What if you grew up thinking for the last thirteen years you were a normal teenager living an average life, only to find out you were anything, but normal? In Neal Shusterman’s clever, 2001 Caudill Nominee, science-fiction novel, //The Dark Side of Nowhere//, that is exactly what happens to the main character of Jason Miller. Shusterman brings his readers through a journey of normalcy to a disturbing, edge of your seat mystery that involves the replication of DNA, destruction of life, and the presence of beings not from this world. **
 *  kkkkkkkkkkk The message delivered in this novel’s theme is how life can change in a blink of an eye, society can be overthrown with a flick of a finger, and human beings can be altered through scientific processes. //The Dark Side of Nowhere// lets the reader enter the life of Jason Miller, a teenage boy in Billington, Texas who feels bored with his “normal” life. He resides with an average mother and father, has typical friends, and attends an ordinary middle school, all of which, he finds very boring. The only thing out of the ordinary in Billington is that many, but not all members of the community must receive monthly medical shots to prevent possible sicknesses. When Ethan, one of Jason’s best friends, dies from what Jason has been told was appendicitis, Jason begins to question his monthly shots. It is here that the story goes from being informative to a thrilling, action packed mystery. Jason becomes involved with Grant, the school’s glum custodian, who gives Jason a mysterious glove, which he later learns must be used as a form of defense. Jason, along with other chosen ones, learns to use the power of the glove to protect those within Billington. In doing so, he unravels the true mystery of the shots and the people in the town of Billington. It is through this information that Jason figures out who or what he really is! Jason’s revelation leads the reader to the scientific topic explored in //The Dark Side of Nowhere//, that of the replication of DNA for the purpose of cloning human bodies for alien use. **
 * llllllllll The structure of this book is written as a first person narrative, as seen through the eyes of Jason Miller. Neal Shusterman has a unique way of making a science fiction fantasy feel as if it were realistic. He is able to catch the sarcasm often associated with the attitude of an adolescent boy through his use of vivid language; an aspect I really enjoyed while reading the novel. Although not exactly done in a humorous way, Jason Miller’s smug attitude often makes the reader feel less tense during nail biting action. By Shusterman’s use of a present day setting, characters seem to come to life as you visualize the small, rural town of Billington and all of its members. Probably the most unique part of the characters is how Shusterman is able to create dynamic characterizations through a static environment. In this respect, it is quite similar to //The Giver//, by Lois Lowry. The characters in each book live in a controlled environment. In //The Giver//, pills control the emotions of the characters, while in Billington monthly shots control the DNA of certain characters. Although each book varies in its plotline, both books deal with the topic of science fiction, and they each resolve in a form of escape. Perhaps the most compelling part of both of these novels is how their authors are able to pull the reader into the story as questions are to be answered and suspense never ends. **
 * llllllllll As a result, //The Dark Side of Nowhere// by Neal Shusterman is a must read book for those who enjoy science fiction and scientific inquiry. It is a novel that keeps its reader in a constant state of suspense as layers upon layers of lies are revealed about the town of Billington and the residents within its boundaries. Do you have what it takes to be human? You may want to find out by reading this edge of your seat, thought provoking novel. **