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Overview
The year is 2014. Dylan Gibson is 16 and knows there is something unusual about him, but he doesn't know what - aside from his fascination for things like insects, opera, old Japanese sci-fi movies, playing the didgeridoo, and the Loch Ness monster. After being dumped by his girlfriend, Caroline, who thinks he's too strange, Dylan meets Robyn, who's something of an outcast herself.
Dylan's father works for a big drug company, and his mom, a former geneticist, dropped out of research after a mysterious event. When Dylan discovers a mysterious photograph of himself at a younger age, he starts to suspect that there may be more to his identity crisis than he realized. With Robyn's help, he begins to investigate the mystery that is his own life.
Synopsis
The year is 2014. Dylan Gibson is 16 and knows there is something unusual about him, but he doesn't know what - aside from his fascination for things like insects, opera, old Japanese sci-fi movies, playing the didgeridoo, and the Loch Ness monster. After being dumped by his girlfriend, Caroline, who thinks he's too strange, Dylan meets Robyn, who's something of an outcast herself.
Dylan's father works for a big drug company, and his mom, a former geneticist, dropped out of research after a mysterious event. When Dylan discovers a mysterious photograph of himself at a younger age, he starts to suspect that there may be more to his identity crisis than he realized. With Robyn's help, he begins to investigate the mystery that is his own life.
Dotsy Harland - VOYA
The year is 2014, and sixteen-year-old Dylan Gibson is a happy-go-lucky high school student whose interests include insects, the Loch Ness monster, and of course, girls. The only child of well-known genetics researchers, Dylan has always felt that he is different from his peers in some fundamental way that he cannot define. He enlists the help of Robyn, his eccentric new girlfriend, in solving the mystery. While researching his family, they discover an obituary for Dylan's older brother, Kyle, who died of cancer before Dylan was born. Dylan, who is stunned to find out that he had a sibling, confronts his parents about Kyle. They then confess that Dylan is a clone of his dead brother, the result of an experiment that they undertook while grief-stricken over the loss of their son. Dylan is shocked and torn by this revelation. Strengthened by Robyn's acceptance, however, he eventually comes to terms with his identity by reaching out to other confused young clones and serving as their mentor. Told in first person by Dylan, this mesmerizing novel explores the ethics of cloning, its possible psychological repercussions, and the question of whether or not a human clone would have a soul. Choyce uses a tantalizing story line to ask some difficult questions about the consequences of scientific progress. Dylan is an unforgettable character, and readers will not doubt his humanity for even a second. This book, with its powerful imagery and important topic, is an excellent choice for school and public libraries. VOYA CODES: 5Q 3P J S (Hard to imagine it being any better written; Will appeal with pushing; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2006, BoardwalkBooks/Dundurn Press, 174p., Trade pb. Ages 12 to 18.
Editorials
From the Publisher
"Β a quick-paced narrative, tightly written and expertly constructed to keep the reader wanting more.""I enjoyed reading Deconstructing Dylan. It is the story of Dylan, who has always felt out of place but can never quite figure out why.
...One Thing I enjoyed about this book was the fact it was set a few years in the future, but not too far away. It added a few futuristic tools but it was close to our time that it was very understandable. Also, the issues that the book deals with hit close to home because we are or soon will be dealing with them, too.
I also appreciated that, even though the book sometimes talked about complicated things in science, they were explained very simply and there were no confusing explanations to get lost in.
The book starts a little slowly but I eventually realized the story needs the initial set-up for the latter parts to make sense. Once the action did start, it was very exciting and did not want to put it down until I was done.
...I would recommend this book to students in high school looking for a well-written book about an identity crisis. It is an enjoyable book that really makes you think."
Jeneva Kopp, Herald Book Club, The Lethbridge Herald, June 3rd, 2006
VOYA
The year is 2014, and sixteen-year-old Dylan Gibson is a happy-go-lucky high school student whose interests include insects, the Loch Ness monster, and of course, girls. The only child of well-known genetics researchers, Dylan has always felt that he is different from his peers in some fundamental way that he cannot define. He enlists the help of Robyn, his eccentric new girlfriend, in solving the mystery. While researching his family, they discover an obituary for Dylan's older brother, Kyle, who died of cancer before Dylan was born. Dylan, who is stunned to find out that he had a sibling, confronts his parents about Kyle. They then confess that Dylan is a clone of his dead brother, the result of an experiment that they undertook while grief-stricken over the loss of their son. Dylan is shocked and torn by this revelation. Strengthened by Robyn's acceptance, however, he eventually comes to terms with his identity by reaching out to other confused young clones and serving as their mentor. Told in first person by Dylan, this mesmerizing novel explores the ethics of cloning, its possible psychological repercussions, and the question of whether or not a human clone would have a soul. Choyce uses a tantalizing story line to ask some difficult questions about the consequences of scientific progress. Dylan is an unforgettable character, and readers will not doubt his humanity for even a second. This book, with its powerful imagery and important topic, is an excellent choice for school and public libraries. VOYA CODES: 5Q 3P J S (Hard to imagine it being any better written; Will appeal with pushing; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2006, BoardwalkBooks/Dundurn Press, 174p., Trade pb. Ages 12 to 18.βDotsy Harland