Project F

Project F
Jeanne DuPrau
Random House, 2023
210 pages
Grades 3-7
Dystopian/Science Fiction

Set in Earth's distant future, folks now live only with clean energy and all fossil fuels are against the law. Keith is sent by electric train (the only allowed mode of transportation outside of bicycles) to fetch his recently orphaned six-year-old cousin. On the train he meets an interesting scientist, who departs at a seemingly unhabituated outpost and leaves his suitcase behind. Keith becomes interested in Malcolm's mysterious project and longs to find out more. On the return trip with Lulu in tow, Keith gets off at the outpost under the guise of returning the case, but is actually craving a good look-around to see what this project is all about. He and Lulu stumble onto the scientists and they appear to be trying to fly. Could Malcolm and his team have invented a flying machine? It would appear to be so, but how is it getting power? Keith returns home, but Project F continues to haunt his thoughts. Could he get involved in revealing this incredible invention to the world? Would he be able to fly himself? What exactly is the fuel on which the machine runs? And, most importantly, should he tell the secret of Project F to his parents? Lulu has similar qualms and they are making her physically ill. Read this quickly paced adventure to see how it all pans out!

One of the tightest books for young people ever written is DuPrau's The City of Ember. This new stand alone title is not as good as that first novel, but is certainly original and an entertaining read. Kids will identify with Keith's curious spirit and agree with his decisions to further investigate and do anything to try to fly, even though we all see it as a bad idea. Lulu provides the conscience for the book and is a sympathetic counter-point to her daring cousin. The writing is clear and tight. The plot is linear and does not get bogged down with bonus storylines. DuPrau offers a cautionary tale for our current environmental concerns and shows a future where the worst has already happened. That said, the folks in DuPrau's future are calmer and more peaceful with a better quality of life without the constant noise of technology. Other lessons include the importance of honesty and doing the right thing. Malcolm is clearly the greedy villain of the story and gets his comeuppance by the book's end. Keith learns lessons, Lulu clears her guilty and all ends as it should, which will please the target audience. More dystopian than science fiction, it will scratch the itch of readers looking for futuristic imaginative tales.