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| The Bar Code Tattoo Review |
THE BAR CODE TATTOO
Suzanne Weyn
Scholastic
2004
Available: Paperback, Kindle
This is the first book in the Bar Code series.
Kayla is turning seventeen soon and will be
eligible to get her barcode tattoo like everyone else who wants to be
"in." It's 2025 and the new barcode replaces everything __
credit cards, driver's licenses and even your medical information. Who wouldn't
want one? Kayla, that's who. Of course her best friend can't understand this
and Kayla finds herself spending time with members of a teen resistance
movement fighting against
the tattoo and Kayla becomes torn between her old best friend and her new
friends. At first the barcode tattoo is voluntary, but then the government
makes the tattoo mandatory. This changes everything for Kayla. On top of this she
learns frightening information about the information stored in the tattoos and
how that information is used. Before she knows it, she's on the other side of
the law and running for her life.
The premise behind this book is
compelling. Total government control of individuals from their medical
treatments, to their education and to their future opportunities. The story
moves quickly with a lot of action, suspense and danger. What is most
disturbing, and therefore fascinating, is that this could happen to America in
the near future. This book is sure to entertain the teen reader and raises some
important societal ethical questions. At the same time, the latter part of the
book is rushed and could have easily been developed into a more satisfying
ending. Still I enjoyed reading it, because it tweaked my imagination. I think
teens will like it, too.
Target audience: grades
8-10
Mystery /Suspense: Intense
Kid Appeal: For older readers
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