Candor

This summer when I heard about Candor, I couldn't stop thinking about the book. I just had to buy it. The topic of subliminal messages controlling a community, as well as the front cover captivated my interest. As an educator fascinated with the way literacy is changing to encompass a wide variety of 21st century literacies, I often read about how teens are never "unplugged". Reading the description about how this book is about a model son who would not be suspected deciding to help other teens out of the controlling town made me think of the reality of technology today.

Lately some of my students have been enthralled with dystopia. I too find that it captures my attention, making me think, what if? This book kept me actively engaged, right up to the shocking ending that I did not expect. It was bitter sweet; I was left feeling happy, yet sad, wondering what would happen to the characters after the last page.

While reading the book, I could not help but think of The Giver. My incoming 8th graders and I read this book together when they were 6th graders. Those who loved The Giver will probably love reading this book to think about how they compare and contrast. They both have many similar themes, but Oscar, the main character in Candor is an older teen, as compared to Jonas, so his concerns are more geared to those of a typical high schooler.