One Community One Book: High School (OCOB:HS) kicked off Wed. January 22, 2014!
The purpose of OCOB:HS is to encourage teens (and adults) to READ FOR FUN!
The book selected for Spring 2014 is Divergent by Veronica Roth. FREE copies are available at the high school libraries, as well as NCPL’s Teen Zone (while supplies last). If you prefer reading on electronic devices, eBooks are available to check out from NCPL’s Virtual Library.
The world Beatrice Prior lives in vastly different from ours. In the future, society has divided themselves into factions. Each faction believes in and honors a specific core value: Abnegation practices selflessness; Candor are honest; Erudite value intelligence; Dauntless are brave; and Amity are the peaceful. At the age of 16, you take an aptitude test, the results of which help you decide whether to stay a member of the faction you were born into or to choose a different one.
It is supposed to be simple but Beatrice’s test results are abnormal, which means she is Divergent. She is told by the test administrator to keep her results a secret, as being Divergent is dangerous. At the Choosing Ceremony, she picks Dauntless and must leave her Abnegation family behind (faction before blood). Tris (the name she has chosen to be called) discovers that her initiation begins even before reaching Dauntless headquarters. Jumping onto a moving train, then onto a rooftop, and finally jumping into a dark unknown. Those Dauntless initiates who make it that far then learn that only half will become members. Those who don’t rank in the top during initiation will have to leave and become part of the factionless.
Initiation is not for the weak of heart. Fighting and weapons training are a far cry from the selfless environment Tris was raised in. Not all initiates believe in fighting fair. Will Tris’ survive? What does it really mean to be Divergent? What would happen if her secret is discovered?
Why I picked up the book: I’ve had it recommended to me by both teen and adult readers many times and it was on the 2012-2013 Soaring Eagle nominee list (and won!). The CY staff readers were using it for a discussion so I jumped at the chance to be “forced” to finish it.
Why I finished it: Very fast paced. I’d look down and be 50 pages deeper in no time.
I’d give it to: Fans of the Hunger Games & Maze Runner (teens, adults, guys & girls).
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Want to read it? Click here to place the book on hold!
Review by Jenn, YA Librarian (View all my Goodreads reviews)