Inside Out

March 22, 2010
Fantasist Snyder's YA debut is an engrossing homage to the dystopian youth-driven science fiction of the late '60s and early '70s (it even features a character named Logan), with enough hooks to engage adult science fiction fans. Teenage Trella is one of the teeming masses of “scrubs” who live in the lowest regions of the dank and crowded construct known simply as “Inside.” She's a loner, called “The Queen of the Pipes,” as those hidden passages are where she spends time working or exploring. Her reputation brings her to the attention of an injured prophet (and exiled member of the “uppers,” the ruling caste that lives in luxury), who gets her to investigate the fabled Gateway, which carries the hope of salvation. As she explores, she discovers that many of her assumptions about the uppers—and some about her fellow scrubs—are wrong. Although the twists are rarely surprising, the characters—including Riley, a rebellious upper, and the sweet and idealistic Cog—are well-developed, and the solid action sequences and world-building make for an entertaining read. Ages 13–18.

July 1, 2010
Grades 8-12 Trella is a scrub. She works on the lower level of a community where she and her ilk do the dirty work that keeps the operation going, mostly for the benefit of the Uppers. Known as Queen of the Pipes, Trellas job cleaning ductwork also allows some privacy, as she finds places to hide. To help her only friend, she becomes involved protecting the Broken Man, a prophet who preaches about a mysterious Gateway. Then the trouble begins. Snyder has written a science-fiction thriller that is as surprising as it is exciting. With cliff-hangers ending every chapter, readers will be compelled to devour this quickly, but theres plenty to think about, too, as Trella must decide who her friends are, whats important to her, and what she is willing to sacrifice for an abstract, possibly false vision of hope. The romance Trella encounters ups the stakes as well. Snyder does a great job of tying up enough loose ends to make the story satisfying yet leaving enough questions open that lead right to a sequel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)