FlumeAward – Variant Variant by Robison Wells
I think this is a great candidate for the Flume list! After being in foster homes for years, Benson thinks that going to Maxfield Academy will be the start of a new life for himself. It turns out that he’s now imprisoned in a "school" being run by kids as part of some kind of social experiment (or so we are led to believe). It’s great science fiction with a Lord of the Flies twist. A fast paced thriller with some great surprises, this will appeal to both boys and girls.
Heidi Grant, Nashua North High School 1/28/13
Please excuse my laziness but – I agree completely with what Heidi said. Variant is well written, has some depth and isn’t the same old dystopian story. Plus, I somehow missed the sequel which came out in October, and now it’s on my list to read. I think it belongs on the list.
Catherine, Gay-Kimball Library
I haven’t read it myself yet, but my teen boys have been wild about it- even kids I’ve never seen with a book came up to tell me they loved this one.
-Lucia, Wiggin Memorial Library, Stratham, 2/26/13