The Secret Under My Skin - Softcover

McNaughton, Janet

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0006485642 ISBN 13: 9780006485643

Publisher: HarperTrophy, 2001

Synopsis

Published to impressive reviews and much media and reader interest, Janet McNaughton’s newest novel is an intriguing and intelligent tale set in 2368. This is the story of Blay Raytee, a young girl enslaved in a government workcamp. Blay is suddenly plucked from her bleak life to serve as tutor to the arrogant Marrella, who is supposed to use her environmental sensitivities to monitor the destroyed ecosystem. Thrust into a completely different world, Blay learns shocking secrets about her environment—and herself.

In this brilliant story of transformation, a young girl learns to believe in her mind and in her heart. The Secret Under My Skin is one of the most remarkable YA novels to appear in recent memory.

“McNaughton blends the warmth of Blay’s emotional growth and new love with the excitement of her learning and brings about, in a rare achievement, a young adult novel where natural history and poetry come hand in hand.... This is an exciting and unusual novel, in both its conceits and execution.”—The Toronto Star

“This is Janet McNaughton’s third brilliant book...The range of themes and ideas in this novel is impressive. Not only is the story a cliffhanger, but Janet McNaughton makes no concession about her readers’ abilities. The complexity of power struggles, as well as some excellent revelatory writing about the formation of the Tablelands, demonstrate that the time for tiresome formulas for YA reading has passed.”—Atlantic Books Today

About this title

About the Author:

JANET McNAUGHTON is the multi-award-winning author of many books, including The Secret Under My Skin, An Earthly Knight and her most recent novel, Dragon Seer, which was shortlisted for the prestigious TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, as well as both the CLA Young Adult Book Award and the Book of the Year for Children Award. McNaughton lives in St. John’s, Newfoundland, with her family. Visit her online at www.janetmcnaughton.ca.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 7 Up - Set in 2368, this dystopian novel offers a glimpse of a potential future for our world. Blay lives in a work camp for homeless children, where they dig through a garbage dump to retrieve valuable items such as paper. There is not much technology left after the recent technocaust, when scientists were blamed for environmental disasters and taken to concentration camps. Due to her love of reading, Blay is chosen to help Marella, the new bio-indicator, with her studies. In the past, these individuals, whose bodies react to poisons in the environment, served as warning mechanisms for others, but now, as the Earth heals and the danger lessens, they are expected to collect and interpret scientific data. As she helps Marella pass a series of tests, Blay discovers that she has a natural talent for science. As she starts to live a more normal life, she realizes how misled she has been by the people in charge of her society. Her knowledge grows along with that of readers', building suspense and making the resolution more satisfying. Blay is a vividly rendered narrator who exposes her own emotional vulnerability, which enhances her heroism. The setting and culture of the book are equally vividly rendered, offering a depth that allows readers to believe fully in its premise. The writing is clear and crisp, evoking a magic that enchants. All of these elements make this one of the top science fiction novels in recent years. - Tasha Saecker, Caestecker Public Library, Green Lake, WI
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About this edition

• Publisher: HarperTrophy
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0006485642
• ISBN 13: 9780006485643
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Number of pages: 288