The Clone Codes - The McKissacks

The Clone Codes

By Patricia, Frederick and John McKissack

Be sure you learn history's lesson...the first time!, January 3, 2010

By	Reading It All (Orange County, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This book is about history repeating itself (again) in the worst way. Early in the history of the United States, a race of black people was brought from Africa to serve as slave labor - without basic rights that admitted that they were human. Their lives were ruled by the very restrictive "Black Rules".

Now, in the year 2170, another injustice is being repeated. Science has advanced to create viable clones but the ruling government, and the corporation that makes them, calls them "Second Cell" non-humans and uses them as slave labor. They are ruled by the "Clone Codes" - almost word for word as the same restrictive "Black Rules".

Human rights supporters work quietly to make life better for clones and cyborgs. Cyborgs are people who have been so badly injured that implants are all that save them. They are call 3/5ths people and excluded from many opportunities and activities.

Now the battle begins to get human rights for clones and others who are discriminated against. There are a lot of lessons learned about differences and acceptance as the world moves toward space travel and the mysteries of the universe.

The McKissak's collaborated with their son for The Clone Codes...this is a great accompaniment for an American History course. Told in a way that kids will enjoy reading it!

Product Description from Amazon

The Cyborg Wars are over and Earth has peacefully prospered for more than one hundred years. Yet sometimes history must repeat itself until humanity learns from its mistakes. In the year 2170, despite technological and political advances, cyborgs and clones are treated no better than slaves, and an underground abolitionist movement is fighting for freedom. Thirteen-year-old Leanna's entire life is thrown into chaos when The World Federation of Nations discovers her mom is part of the radical Liberty Bell Movement.

After her mother's arrest for treason, Leanna must escape as she is chased by a ruthless bounty hunter. Soon Leanna finds herself living among the Firsts, and nothing will ever be the same again. But what does The World Federation want with the daughter of a traitor? So much is uncertain. Danger hides everywhere. Fear takes over. With help from unlikely sources, Leanna learns the origin of The Liberty Bell Movement and how its members may have answers about her past-and her new reality.

As family secrets are revealed, Leanna must face startling truths about self-identity and freedom. Through time travel, advanced technologies, and artificial intelligence, this exhilarating adventure asks what it means to be human and explores the sacrifices an entire society will make to find out.

Acclaimed authors Patricia C. McKissack and Frederick L. McKissack have collaborated with their son, John to deliver a novel that is as suspenseful as it is searing.