The Declaration by Gemma Malley

     I will start off stating that yes this is another Young Adult book (series), but I seriously wouldn't let that stop you from reading this book. The setting is in the year 2140 and we have this amazing drug that extends our lives. Want to live forever? There's just one catch, to do so you must agree to sign The Declaration and give up your right to have children; have a child unlawfully and your child becomes known as a "Surplus".  "Surplus" children are all that live in Grange Hall (and others like it around the world). The children are taught to be assests and to serve the adults on the outside. Surplus Anna tries to find her place in this world and does so until a a new boy arrives: Surplus Peter. Peter lived his life in the outside world and he rebels what they are teaching the children at Grange Hill, it isn't long before Anna finds herself intrigued.
     Loved, loved, loved this book the next two in the series ARE on my "to get" book list. What intrigued me at first about the book was a review on Amazon that compared it to: "A Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood (a story I really enjoyed), and I must say I agree that in principle this book is very much so like "Handmaid's Tail". So many people become upset about the kids having to read "Handmaid's Tale" in HS (although these same parents would let their kids read The Twilight series or even the PC Cast series, which can get steamy, just trying to put some perspective on it), so if we HAD to go for an alternative I wouldn't hesitate to recommend "The Declaration". As a matter of fact I would have no problem with allowing my 11 year old son to read it, I have already recommended it to him. The story line is gripping, and the characters draw you right in. I was sucked right in and this time my racing to read the book had nothing to do with "getting it over with", I just couldn't wait to see what happened next.
   In no way do I think this book should be labelled as yet another Young Adult book (let's face it we all read them sometimes, Harry Potter anyone?!) to do so IMO limits it. The series isn't a huge hit so it won't be one that everyone is clamoring for, I sad thing if you ask me (and you did since you're reading this). It really is a great "cross-over" book (middle school and up).