Kelsey+Z.

= ﻿The Secret Under My Skin = ﻿By: Janet McNaughton ﻿Book Review by: Kelsey Ziemnisky

Lies, Truth, Love, Concern, Work, Strength, Hope. All these words are how I would describe the book The Secret Under My Skin. Janet McNaughton reveals a whole new way to think about the future, and what may really happen to the world if we don't prevent Global Warming.

 When I was looking through books on the library's cart, I figured everything had been picked over and all that was left would be the bad stuff. I was wrong. Once I actually started reading this book, I was amazed at how good a science fiction book could be. The cover was what made me pick it in the beginning, although it was also the only book left about a girl too, so that probably helped.

 Blay Raytee is the main character who faces troubles about finding out who she really is. She doesn't know her real name, only have going by the name Blay. She doesn't know where she's from, or even her real age, assuming she is about thirteen years old. Abandoned to one of many government work camps, Blay has no option but to go along with the work and terrible food given to her. In the year 2368, government is controlling the world more than ever. Technology has gone out the door, with nothing like we have today. All children abandoned to the work camps were from technology savvy families, but each child is allowed to keep only one thing from their past. Blay chooses a cassette tape. She then visits a man named Lem Howell, a technology expert who knows about the past, and different types of technology used, in hopes of figuring out what is on the tape.

In charge of managing Global Warming, and Climate Control is a Bio-Indicator, whose name is William Townsend. Blay is chosen to be assistant to the Bio-Indicator in training, Marella, who is a very stubborn and self-absorbed person. Only a few years separates the two, yet it seems like decades. Marella isn't a very good student, and Blay finds herself connecting more to the lessons than Marella, but would never tell this to William.

As the book continues to progress, Blay is needed to help Marella succeed at her quests. The final task Marella is given is to find herself while camping on an island, far off from town. A dream, that's what she's supposed to feel, and when Blay receives the dream, Marella is convinced Blay is the one meant for the job of Bio-Indicator.

With the Induction Ceremony getting closer, Marella must have a flowy white outfit made. The ceremony is about respecting the new Bio-Indicator, as well as the Earth, and it's beauties. Blay helps out with the sewers, giving measurements and learning how to sew.

With many of the men from the village gone fighting at the capital, they venture back for the ceremony, an event so special nobody would miss it. After the ceremony, Blay and Marella tell William the truth about Marella passing her exams, or tasks. Surprised, yes he is. But, he is also confused. How could an un-educated girl know everything from the lessons? Well... It turns out that from the start of the book Blay never mentioned she cold read, or liked poetry, so she "bor rowed" books from William's library and read them.

The rest of the book was amazing, but I don't want to give away too much, so to find out what happens, read this exciting book!

I give this book... 4 Stars!

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