CLEO PORTER AND THE BODY ELECTRIC

A mission to save a life pushes a young girl to discover the world around her.

In the not-too-distant future, the world goes into permanent self-isolation, with families living in massive tower blocks, sealed in separate apartments. Their only access to the outside is through drone-delivered supplies that arrive via tubes in their kitchens. While studying for her first test in the surgical candidate track, 12-year-old Cleo, who is White, receives a package with the right address, but the wrong name. Opening it and finding much-needed medical supplies, the young doctor-to-be breaks out of her apartment to try to locate and save the life of the medicine’s rightful recipient. Accompanied by her electronic instruction tablet, Ms. VAIN, and a small observation drone, Cleo learns more about her world—inside the apartment and out—than she expected. Current readers will immediately draw parallels with the Covid-19 pandemic, but they’ll also find a well-constructed and enjoyable adventure. The theme of storytelling, particularly the tale of “Little Red Riding Hood,” is interwoven expertly. While the resolution may be wrapped a little too neatly for some readers, the thought-provoking material generated by questions of isolation, community, and privilege may make up for this. This novel would work especially well as an extended read-aloud, a choice for classroom discussion, or a book club selection.

A topical read that’s worth the attention.