What Happened To Serenity?

PJ Sarah Collins
Red Deer Press (2011)
ISBN 9780889954533
Reviewed by Theresa La (age 17) for Reader Views (2/12)

“What Happened to Serenity?” is a futuristic novel that could be a stepping stone before young readers read books with themes of censorship and communism such as George Orwell’s “1984” and “Animal Farm.” This book is similar in its theme and storyline to “The Giver.”

Katherine, the main character of the story, lives in a futuristic time period, 2021, and in a very different community. Her community has a paternal leadership system and is headed by a figure named “Father.” Everyone is encouraged to listen to what “Father” says and to not question his authority. In fact, one of the most severe punishments of the community is that after the offense of questioning the authority of, or what, “Father” says, the citizen will have his/her hair cut short and will be shunned to show that this person is a disobedient person.

Anna, Katherine’s closest friend, lives in the same community. One night her family wakes up to the authority taking her little sister, Serenity. Katherine, with her rebellious streak, defies her family and the rule that “Father” has set and sets out to find out what happened to Serenity. She eventually finds a different world, the real world, and with the help of some new friends, lets the world know about her community and exposes the dirty secrets of her community.
 
This novel, “What Happened To Serenity?,” is geared towards fifth through eighth graders, although it can be a great discussion book for high school book clubs covering topics such as censorship or communism without having to read a school book such as “1984.” The cover design is very interesting and the back is informative, leaving the reader wanting to read the book.

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