The Sky Inside

Dunkle, Clare B. 2008. THE SKY INSIDE. New York: Atheneum. ISBN 9781416924227 [Suggested Grade Levels 6 and up]

REVIEW
THE SKY INSIDE seems to be a perfect world. Communities are climate controlled domes where season changes are announced by the music played on loud speakers. Lawns, flowers, leaves, and snowflakes are plastic. Babies are genetically engineered. These new genius, “Wonder Babies” arrive on conveyor belts to their awaiting families. The perfect society comes crashing down when the new generation of children start asking too many questions. Martin’s sister is one of these flawed children being recalled by the government. No one questions the government or where people go when they are sent away, but Martin doesn’t want to see his sister go. He decides to leave the safety of his domed society to search for his sister and keep her out of harm’s way. Dunkle creates a suspenseful science-fiction thriller with believable characters and a futuristic world similar to our own that will draw readers in and make them think.

CONNECTIONS
Research robots to discover what scientists have developed compared to what is presented in the book.

Start a Going Green club to find things that students can do that will help the environment.

RELATED BOOKS
Other books for children about the Earth in the future or how one event can change humanity:
Carman, Patrick. ATHERTON. ISBN 9780316166706
Pfeffer, Susan Beth. LIFE AS WE KNEW IT. ISBN 0152058265

By Jane Jergensen