Review

"Debut novelist Bachorz delivers a dystopian novel that takes place in the present, giving the genre a fresh twist. In the town of Candor, conformity is law; negative emotions are banished; and residents are fed a steady diet of subliminal Messages―"Respectful space in every place. Avoid physical contact"―that dull any impulse toward creativity, rebellion or even sexual desire. Oscar Banks, the son of Candor's founder, leads a double life. Secretly, he's the town's biggest rebel―he illegally shuttles kids to freedom before the Messages can take hold (for a price)―while on the surface he's 'the model Candor boy.... Proof that the Messages work.' But when Oscar falls for the new girl, Nia, he's forced to rethink his entire identity. Some of the premise is difficult to swallow, such as that within days, residents of Candor become so addicted to the Messages that even a few hours without them could mean death. But Bachorz needs this high-stakes bit to justify why kids can't simply run away. On the whole, it's a compelling story that quickly becomes a page-turner. Be prepared for a chilling ending." ―Publishers Weekly

(Journal)

"Teens of the idyllic town of Candor, Florida dutifully complete their chores and unquestioningly respect their elders―thanks to the subliminal messages piped throughout the village. Oscar Banks, the teenage son of the town's founder, is in on the secret and has been using his own specially designed Messages to lead a quiet revolution against his father's control by helping teens flee. When Oscar's attachment to his newest client, the pierced and punky Nia, threatens to blow his cover of the perfect son, Oscar is forced to choose between a comfortable existence and escape. Bachorz's gripping debut calls forth all the creepy and sinister elements of The Giver (BCCB 4/93) or The Stepford Wives, but it is nuanced enough to avoid sounding like yet another science-fiction sermon against conformity. Oscar's narration is especially deft at adding a layer of humanity to the control-freak stereotype of his father while he presents his own complex, if entirely selfish, motivations: not really a noble warrior fighting against an immoral tyrant, Oscar is instead a self-serving kid trying to get his grieving father's attention and often engaging in the very same behavior he is railing against. The technology of the Messages is clearly explained and not overly complicated, while the constant threat of Oscar's discovery, along with a rather hot romance and some key chase scenes, will keep readers turning the pages. True to the genre, the disturbing conclusion leaves plenty of unanswered questions, which will make this title an ideal choice for book clubs." ―The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

(Journal)

About the Author

Pam Bachorz grew up in a small town in the Adirondack foothills, where she participated in every performance group and avoided any threat of athletic activity, unless it involved wearing sequined headpieces and treading water. With a little persuasion she will belt out tunes from "The Music Man" and "The Fantasticks", but she knows better than to play cello in public anymore. Pam attended college in Boston and finally decided she was finished after earning four degrees: a BS in Journalism, a BA in Environmental Science, a Masters in Library Science and an MBA. Her mother is not happy that Pam's degrees are stored under her bed.

Pam draws inspiration from the places she knows best: she wrote CANDOR while living in a Florida planned community, and set DROUGHT in the woods where she spent her summers as a child. She currently lives in the metropolitan New Jersey area with her husband and their son. When she's not writing, working or parenting, Pam likes to read books not aimed at her age group, go to museums and theater performances, and watch far too much television. She even goes jogging. Reluctantly.