This is an amazing memoir. So relatable and great for kids that feel out of place or left out. I cannot say how many times I have felt in the same position as Shannon, feeling like the odd one out in the group or feeling like everyone was conspiring behind my back. The relationship between her and her older sister especially resonated with me as I have a sister just like that. Definitely a good read for late elementary and middle school readers.

Along with Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies, and Fahrenheit 451, this is a book that my school neglected to teach me. Huh, maybe they have some thing about dystopias. But whatever. I'm glad I finally read this classic and boy is this book sure relevant now.

The way this world is set up, its beliefs, and powers structure all seems incredibly familiar and that is very disconcerting. I always love it when people say that this book is meant to be a cautionary tale, not an instruction manual.

I hear a lot of people saying how bland the characters are and that they're not very interesting. While I would agree, I kind of argue that the book is more about the world than the characters. Winston and Julia are meant to be blank slates in order for us to identify with and place ourselves in their shoes.

As a dystopian novel, I like this one way more than I did Brave New World. Perhaps because the mode of oppression was easier for me to grasp, as the idea of conditioning just makes me angry from the get go. Weird this book is easier for me to stomach.