The
Sky Inside
By Clare B. Dunkle.
New York: Atheneum,
2008. 229 p.
Edited by Ginee Seo for Ginee Seo Books.
A science fiction novel for young adult readers.
BUY
THIS BOOK IN HARDCOVER.
To read an interview about this book, see the blog
site of librarian Rebecca Laney.
Listening
Library has released an unabridged audio edition
(audio download or CD), read by Bruce Turk.
Simon & Schuster UK
will be releasing the UK edition in August, 2008. That edition
will be paperback.
Simon & Schuster Australia
will be releasing the Australian edition in October, 2008.
That edition will be paperback.
“Along the lines of Logan’s
Run and The Truman Show, The Sky Inside
paints a very uncomfortable picture of a dystopian future
society. ... It’s very easy to read with plenty of narrative
drive, making it as suitable for late primary children as
it is for those of early to mid secondary age, but the plotting
is terrific, absolutely watertight. As Dunkle trails clues
to what really lies behind the polished, superficial world
of Martin’s society, you really can feel the horror
mount. ...
“Highly recommended for character, narrative and style,
buy The Sky Inside for all socially conscious sci-fans
aged from about ten to fourteen.”
—The
Bookbag
“Many children will identify with
Martin’s characterization as someone who hates academics
but ‘[knows] the stuff that matters,’ and most
will envy his robotic-dog sidekick ... This entertaining,
provocative novel invites middle-grade readers to ponder looming
questions about scientific ethics, human rights, and the push-pull
between security and freedom.”
—Booklist (Starred review and Booklist cover
art)
“Loved it, loved it, loved it.
... It would have been really easy—almost expected—for
the characters to take a back seat to the premise, but that
isn’t the case in The Sky Inside. Yes, the
premise had me at hello. But I really and truly came to believe
in Martin.”
—Becky’s
Book Reviews
“Author Clare B. Dunkle sculpts
a fascinating future landscape, a perfect dystopian utopia,
that will leave the reader considering the events of the tale
long after the last page has been turned and the covers closed.
Definitely a nominee for a Golden Duck award, in my book.”
—The Trades
“While a quest of a boy and his
dog ... against seemingly insurmountable obstacles is a familiar
plot, Dunkle surrounds her protagonists with an enthralling
range of settings, a memorable cast of characters who hide
their ennui and worry to varying degrees, and Martin himself,
who while bold and intelligent, is also effectively developed
as an authentic thirteen-year-old boy who is attempting something
a bit out of reach. ... Fans of the author will still recognize
her evocative storytelling and intricate plotting, even in
this science fiction milieu.”
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s
Books (Recommended)
“Clare B. Dunkle ... has created
a richly imagined, thoroughly frightening society. Her novel
takes place in a world much like our own, and its characters
have believable strengths and weaknesses. Offering insightful
commentaries into today’s society and raising challenging
questions about the future, The Sky Inside
is the kind of science fiction novel that will encourage young
readers to think about—and discuss—some of the
larger issues in their own lives.”
—BookPage
“A solid, compelling entry in the
isolated-dystopian-community genre. In a world well-stocked
with genius children, the point-of-view focus through an ordinary
boy with questionable free will provides a compelling shift
from the expected.”
—Kirkus
“An interesting book that I couldn’t
put down. It reminds me of a modern day setting of The
Giver with maybe a little Soylent
Green thrown in. ... Readers that enjoyed The
Giver, A Wrinkle in Time,
etc. will really enjoy this one.”
—Denise Byers of middle_school_lit
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