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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
In the not so distant future the government has devised a way for children to help their families get out of debt. When families go over their "limit" the children are shipped off to workhouses until they get back under. Matt never thought it could happen to him until the day it does . . .
Sadly the book doesn't live up to its interesting premise. First of all, life in the workhouse was too good. I was expecting horrible conditions and no pay. Instead many of the kids are living sweet lives. There was practically no incentive leave, which is why it took Matt so long to investigate what was really going on. Matt's parents attempts to get out of debt were a joke, and it was truly shocking to me that the parents on the outside didn't notice the weird things going on with the money.
Also what was the point of Matt investigating and succeeding in exposing what the workhouse was really doing. At the end he was still going to be stuck there for a really long time.
Sadly the book doesn't live up to its interesting premise. First of all, life in the workhouse was too good. I was expecting horrible conditions and no pay. Instead many of the kids are living sweet lives. There was practically no incentive leave, which is why it took Matt so long to investigate what was really going on. Matt's parents attempts to get out of debt were a joke, and it was truly shocking to me that the parents on the outside didn't notice the weird things going on with the money.
Also what was the point of Matt investigating and succeeding in exposing what the workhouse was really doing. At the end he was still going to be stuck there for a really long time.
A close-to-the-future dystopian YA where children are sent to workhouses if their family goes "over the limit" --- that is, if they spend too much. Our protagonist, a math genius, is taken up and sent to a seemingly luxurious complex where he does mathematical modeling to help his family get back under the limit. But is everything what it seems? Nah.
The math content, except for a fun game of horse basketball at the beginning, is fairly sparse, with a stronger focus on vague hacking skills. The plot moves quickly, and I liked the lives of the Top Floorers --- those geniuses who can solve big problems to raise money at the workhouse. But I don't really see this as a good option for classroom use.
The math content, except for a fun game of horse basketball at the beginning, is fairly sparse, with a stronger focus on vague hacking skills. The plot moves quickly, and I liked the lives of the Top Floorers --- those geniuses who can solve big problems to raise money at the workhouse. But I don't really see this as a good option for classroom use.
Spoiler
A basic premise of the book involves our basic disgust of the idea of a workhouse. Granted, the initial impressions of the workhouse is quite nice (until we see the underbelly), but part of the shock of the book is seeing children forced to work. However, the plot isn't about changing the system --- it's about exposing the corruptness of this particular workhouse. At the end of the book, children still work to pay off the debts of their parents. I would have preferred an ending with much more social change.
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was trying something light for my lunch breaks since my phone was broken. This was a bad choice.
It was a well written YA book. A bit predictable but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
the concept was very interesting and i really liked the ending but the dialogue was bland and it seemed repetitive until the end, and also points revoked because i was forced to read
An interesting twist to a futuristic world. I liked it. This one felt much more hopeful than many dystopian books.
I really liked reading this book!
The plot was well-written and interesting, and pulled readers in. It made it hard to stop reading this book, and I finished the book in two days because of this! It wasn't the hardest book to understand, but it was fun and amazing, despite being under my reading level.
Matthew is an interesting character. You can really understand him. He is one of those protagonists that you can really empathize with and feel. Matt made me change perspectives on my personal feelings if I were him. I also liked reading about Coop and Paige, and Jeffery caught my eye too.
Overall, I really liked reading this book. I hope to read more by this author!
The plot was well-written and interesting, and pulled readers in. It made it hard to stop reading this book, and I finished the book in two days because of this! It wasn't the hardest book to understand, but it was fun and amazing, despite being under my reading level.
Matthew is an interesting character. You can really understand him. He is one of those protagonists that you can really empathize with and feel. Matt made me change perspectives on my personal feelings if I were him. I also liked reading about Coop and Paige, and Jeffery caught my eye too.
Overall, I really liked reading this book. I hope to read more by this author!
Great read! And an ending I didn't expect. That doesn't happen often in middle grade books!
A must read! Awesome on the surface but powerful underlying social commentary that really sinks its message deep. Realize that excessive spending and exceeding our limits is destroying ourselves, our children, and our country. This is a great novel!