Grace

Scott, Elizabeth. 2010. GRACE. New York: Penguin. ISBN 0525422064 [Suggested Grade Levels 9-12]

REVIEW
This dystopian thriller is set in the near future and stars Grace, a young woman questioning everything she has ever believed. The novel focuses on Grace’s train ride to freedom, but it’s an emotional journey of the heart. Raised to be a suicide bomber, an Angel, Grace realizes—at the last moment—that she desperately wants to live. But before she can claim a new life—a life where what she wants matters—she must escape her old life—and the people who want her dead. To survive, Grace may have to trust the one person—the one man—she has been taught to hate.

Grace is a compelling—and surprising—novel for young adults. It’s a political thriller that will keep readers turning pages. It asks difficult questions as it examines the ethical dilemmas of terrorism and war.

CONNECTIONS
Discuss the themes of betrayal and trust. How was Grace betrayed by her family? How did she betray her people’s cause? Do you think it was difficult for her to learn to trust?

Choose a scene from the novel to dramatize. Or create a video book trailer for the novel.

RELATED BOOKS
Other books for young adults that involve acts of terrorism:
Kass, Pnina Moed. REAL TIME. ISBN 061869174X
Plum-Ucci, Carol. STREAMS OF BABEL. ISBN 0547258739
Rosoff, Meg. HOW I LIVE NOW. ISBN 0553376055

Other dystopian novels for teens:
Bacigalupi, Paolo. SHIP BREAKER. ISBN 0316056219
Bodeen, S.A. THE GARDENER. ISBN 0312370164
Dashner, James. THE MAZE RUNNER. ISBN 0385737955

By Becky Laney