I turn now to the three texts that use dystopian themes but are not technically dystopias. In The Clone Conspiracy, Mercury Man, and Deconstructing Dylan, the action occurs in what resembles our own society rather than in a fantastical one created by the author. Each book features a mystery with genetic engineering at its heart. Corporations, rather than governments, are the antagonists in Mercury Man and The Clone Conspiracy, whereas Deconstructing Dylan does not have a clear antagonist. Their societies are like our own, and the elements of science fi ction are limited, threatening but not taking over the world of the protagonist.

The Clone Conspiracy is meant for younger readers than the other books, and does not delve into the themes beyond their shock value. The LennoxGen research facility clones children to “replace” 75 rich and powerful people, whose memories are downloaded into their clones when they die. Luke and Emma search for Emma’s missing brother, Patrick, and fi nd that he has been kidnapped by LennoxGen and is undergoing the process of having his memory erased, to be replaced by that of the company’s founder, Rupert Lennox. Luke and Emma have to infi ltrate the facility and retrieve Patrick without being caught. Their mission is complicated when they fi nd out that they, too, are clones whose “parents” have died, and that they are therefore in danger of the same procedure.

Luke, and Emma become detectives, and this is typical of children and young adults in books of this type. What is valuable in The Clone Conspiracy is how Luke and Emma solve the mystery of Patrick’s disappearance. They use a fair bit of deductive reasoning to reach their conclusions, and their use of computer technology to fi gure things out would be intriguing and educational for many children.

Genetic engineering in The Clone Conspiracy is used chiefl y as a plot device that can give readers a frisson of horror. The characters’ discovery that they are clones does not provoke a rethinking of the self, and even though this book is geared toward younger readers, some hint of the feelings one would have at fi nding out one was a clone would make the book more interesting. When told that he does not “really have genetic parents,” Luke screams, “You’re a liar!” but at no point does he consider the ramifi cations of this (57). In fact, he never refers to it.

Jeunesse: Young People Texts Cultures published at the University of Winnipeg

p. 184 Clones and other formulas in Science Fiction for Young Readers by Elaine Ostry

'When Luke's best friend, Patrick, disappears the day before his birthday, the police guess that he has either run away from home or committed suicide. Luke cannot believe either scenario. He does not think that Patrick was depressed or angry enough to leave home or to kill himself. A few months later, Luke sees a boy on the streets who looks exactly like Patrick. As he tries to talk to him, two large men threaten Luke and warn him that they will kill him if he says anything about seeing Patrick. Luke does share his discovery with the one person he knows who will believe his story, Patrick's younger sister Emma. Together Luke and Emma track down why Patrick was kidnapped and where he is being held. Unfortunately Luke and Emma's detective work leads them to Lennoxgen, a giant genetics and infertility company. When they discover Lennoxgen's big secret, they realize it may be too late to rescue Patrick -- and they now fear for their own lives as well. With all the news about genetic engineering currently in the media, this story will appeal to today's young readers. Although the science of transferring memories to another person is pretty far fetched, the concept of genetic engineering and cloning are interesting discussion topics. The action is fast paced and scary enough to keep readers hanging on to every word. The illustration on the cover looks like a scene from an old 1950's science fiction movie poster. Simon Rose has also written The Alchemist's Portrait and The Sorcerer's Letterbox, both published by Tradewind Books.' Reviewed by Sally J. K. Davies. --Reviewed by Children's Literature, August 2006

Imagination's the prize in author's battle By Patrick Blennerhassett. Victoria News, Feb 17 2006

From School Library Journal Grade 4-7
On the night before his birthday, Patrick disappears. Three months later, his friend Luke sees him outside the gym where the boys used to take karate classes together, only now Patrick acts like a complete stranger, and he has a threatening bodyguard. Luke figures out that a local drug company called LennoxGen is somehow involved, and he and Patrick's sister, Emma, present themselves at the headquarters, disguised as student reporters. They meet Lisa MacKenzie from the company's PR department. Luke and Emily discover that Patrick is the clone of Rupert Lennox, the company's recently deceased president, and that his memories are being implanted into Patrick, using an experimental drug. Moreover, Luke and Emma are also clones, and (surprise!) their progenitors just happen to die just as the kids are giving their information to the police. With Lisa's help, Luke is able to destroy the corporation and save them all. The book reads more like the outline of a story then a finished work-it has a fast-moving plot, superficial characterizations, wild improbabilities (and even wilder coincidences), and far too much left unexplained at the end. And just how old are these boys supposed to be, anyway? Readers are told that 12-year-old Emma is Patrick's younger sister, but the cover art makes Luke look like he's about 6. This is a quick but nonessential read.-- Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library. Copyright  Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.

CM, Volume XII Number 3, September 30, 2005


Smart kids outwit evil scientists in this mini-science fiction thriller dealing with clones, implanted embryos and personality downloads. As long as they realize this science IS fiction, kids can enjoy the fast-paced action -- each little chapter a real cliff-hanger. --September 29, 2005, Top Dozen: Recommended books for kids by Barbara Julian, Victoria Times Colonist

When Luke's friend and karate practice partner, Patrick, goes missing, police presume he's run away, and Luke wanders back to the dark green car he was in the night before. A few months later, Luke sees Patrick downtown outside LennoxGen, the headquarters of a powerful company. Patrick may have recognized Luke, but soon doesn't at all, and treats his former friend badly. Along with Emma, Patrick's younger sister, Luke sets out to rescue his friend in a tale plagued by dark green cars and vans, tinted windows, and plenty of suspicious people all in on the "clone conspiracy" of the book's title. Although a quick, fast-paced read, it's disappointing that Calgary author Rose doesn't fully realize the story's potential and challenge the reader. --The Calgary Herald , August 20, 2005. Teens deal with life and death by Kate Larking