Catch me if I fall by Barry Jonsberg

I do enjoy dystopian stories and books that explore the idea of a stratified society and stories with twins have always fascinated me.  One of my favourite books that fits these criteria is Forbidden Memories by Jamila Gavin which is sadly long out of print. This book also made me think again about the book series The Shadow Children by Margaret Peterson Haddix which begins with Among the Hidden. In these books families are limited to two children and it is the third child who must remain hidden.

In the world of Catch me if I fall, families can only have one child unless there are twins:

"Then, about fifty years ago a law was passed that stopped any woman having more than one child."

Barry Jonsberg subtlety presents the reader with clues that we have entered the world of the future - a dystopian future damaged by climate change.

• Electricity blackouts are common as are cyclones
• Other kids in the class are fascinated by the idea of twins
• No one in the class has older brother or sisters
• Permission to play outside at school is determined by the temperature and there is a huge emphasis on applying sunscreen, wearing hats and clothing with long sleeves.
• Cars do not need human drivers
• Ashleigh and Aiden's family are incredibly rich but they grow their own food. In their house there is a library with over 12,000 books; a media room; and a huge temperature controlled swimming pool
• Books by Shaun Tan are considered "old"
• Flights across the country are regularly cancelled due to extreme weather conditions
• Only their school takes the kids to camp and the camp has armed guards and a high security fence

There are strange things going on here. Why are mum and dad so protective of the twins? What does Aiden learn from the wild girl he meets in the park? Why does Aiden need to go to a hospital clinic every few months? 

Here is the publisher blurb:

Ash and Aiden Delatour are identical twins, living a privileged lifestyle with loving parents. In a world that has fallen apart at the seams, they want for nothing. All they have to do is be there for each other, no matter what.  But after Aiden suffers a terrible injury, he isn't the same brother Ash always relied on. Something has changed, and it will lead to a discovery that will turn their whole world upside down. Allen and Unwin

I am listing this book as Young Adult. I do need to give a strong language warning. The publisher lists it as 10-14 but I am going to recommend this book for very mature readers aged 11+. The final scenes of this book are especially powerful and surprising.