Incarnate by Jodi Meadows - ADVISABLE

Meadows, Jodi Incarnate, 374 p. Katherine Tegen, 2012.  384 p. $18.  

Content: G

HS, MS – ADVISABLE 

Ana is a new soul.  Out of one million souls, she is the first new soul in 5000 years – everyone else has been continually reincarnated since their civilization first came to Heart. After living 18 years in exile with her angry, resentful mother, Ana decides to strike out for Heart on her own.  Instead she is almost killed by fearsome beats, but rescued by Sam, who turns out to be her childhood hero – the one she worshipped through his music, one of Ana’s few escapes from her emotionally abusive parent.  Together they journey to Heart – where Ana’s reception is dubious at best.  Forces inside the community would be happy to see the last of Ana and forces outside would be happy to destroy them all.

I can’t tell you too much more about the book without giving too much away.  It has slightly religious undertones and a lot to say about prejudice and judging.  I was thoroughly engrossed in the experience (I really wanted to say “swept away”, but felt that was too trite) and have shared this title with many of the teachers in my school already.  

Cindy, Library teacher.