The Unidentified

The Unidentified
By Rae Mariz
Balzer + Bray, 2010. 296 pgs. Young Adult

Katey (a.k.a Kid) lives in a future USA where the government couldn't afford to pay for education, so businesses stepped in. Katey's "school" is the Game, where kids and the sponsors are connected wirelessly, school is conducted over the computer and via video games, and most people are desperately trying to get "branded" (selected out by a sponsor to be one of their representatives) and to establish large networks of friends. Kid's best friend Ari is one of those who wants more than anything to be branded, while her friend Mike seems to be more interested in having fun and messing around with the games. Kid isn't sure exactly who she is or what she wants. However, when a stunt pulled by a group known only as "The Unidentified" catches Kid's attention, she finds that she's attracting unwanted attention.

This was an interesting look at how our society could end up some day, with technology and consumerism ruling life; however, since Mariz framed that view within a story that is equally interesting, she manages to create a book that critiques society without being didactic. I liked Kid, and I was intrigued by her attempts to discover who belonged to The Unidentified, her discovery of what friendship really is, and the little bits of romance thrown in. As a stand-alone title, this is a good choice for those who might want to venture into the science fiction genre without committing to a huge series.

AE