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.

TrooFriend by Kirsty Applebaum

TrooFriend

YOUR.ONE.TRUE.FRIEND.

I AM A TROOFRIEND

I DO NOT BULLY.

I DO NOT HARM.

I DO NOT LIE.

I DO NOT COVET OR STEAL OR ENVY.

I AM YOUR PERFECT FRIEND.

YOUR

ONE

TROOFRIEND.

Yes, you probably already know I ADORE ADORE  books about robots!  I am not entirely sure why but they often have a slightly 'political' flavour which intrigues me. There is certainly an undercurrent of subversion in TrooFriend.

Sarah has busy parents. She is an only child. Mum and dad decide to buy Sarah a Jenson & Jenson TrooFriend 560 Mark IV.

"Each one of us is unique. We have different skin colours, different eye colours and different hair colours. ... Our clothes are made of TrooCloth. ... It is tear-resistant, water-resistant and crease-resistant."

Sarah names her Troofriend Ivy. The reason for this will give you a smile. Back in the factory Ivy did not have a name she was one android robot Mark IV of one hundred and forty-four. She was number eighty-three.

Sarah does not want an android robot as a friend she tells her parents she wants a dog. Mum insists Ivy will be the perfect 'friend'. Sarah disagrees but over the coming weeks she makes some amazing discoveries about Ivy which cause her to totally rethink her ideas.  Look again at the list of qualities at the beginning of this post. Perhaps these things are not true. Has the factory made a mistake? Do Jenson & Jenson TrooFriend 560 Mark IV robots actually experience emotions and if they do is this dangerous?

This book has some truly funny moments alongside a poignant story about feelings and friendships. I really appreciated the distinct 'voice' Kirsty Applebaum gives to Ivy. It is so funny the way Ivy describes the kitchen appliances such as the dishwasher as inferior robots. Every time she wakes up she states the date and weather. The repetition of this is hilarious. I also loved the way Ivy used her factory specifications to describe the hair and eye colours of each human that she meets:

Sarah eyes Hazel 101 hair Chestnut 29 in a classic collar bone cut.
Keanna eyes Deep Brown 02 hair Darkest Best Brown in a Coily half-up-half-down style.
Milly eyes Mint Green 204 hair too messy to say which Jenson & Jenson standard style it would be.

Here is a description of one of the teachers from the day Sarah takes Ivy to school:

Mrs Vickerman "I look at her hair. Frost Blonde 52 Retro Beehive. It stays completely still when she moves just like the hair on a Jenson & Jenson TrooFriend 560 Mark III. It was considered a sub-standard design aspect on the Jenson & Jenson TrooFriend 560 Mark III, which led to the development of the TrooHair for the Jenson & Jenson Troofriend 560 Mark IV."

Ivy also judges truth and emotions in percentages.
"Rob-Dad's eyebrows scrunch up. It is likely to an accuracy of 74% that he is confused."
"Sarah's eyebrows scrunch up. It is likely to an accuracy of 59% that she is angry and it is also likely to an accuracy of 59% that she is worried."

I think this is a book that any reader aged 9+ will truly enjoy. Well done to publisher Nosy Crow - this book is a winner!

Click these review quotes for more plot details:

A moving and philosophical story told in such a way that it is impossible to put down. Bookmurmuration

The plot is totally addictive making this book impossible to put down. Madge Reviews

Written in an entertaining, quirky and accessible way, Troofriend is a thought-provoking story that will have you hooked. BookTrust

I would pair this book with The Wild Robot by Peter Brown and Eager by Helen Fox.