THE SKY INSIDE

Martin’s strictly regimented suburban life changes when he gets a robotic dog for his 13th birthday. In Martin’s domed suburb, citizens watch game shows, show their patriotism through shopping and vote daily on such issues as the color of the president’s drapes. The only disruption in their lives is the presence of the aggressively argumentative genius children who comprise the suburb’s youngest generation. Martin’s six-year-old sister Cassie is one such Wonder Baby, and he’s frustrated with her constant questions. Bigotry against the Wonder Babies is on the rise, and it seems only Martin and his inexplicably intelligent dog are willing to defend them. With his dog’s help, Martin discovers his suburb’s dark secret. Though not everything makes sense (how exactly did Martin end up with a modified superdog?), Martin’s quest makes for a solid, compelling entry in the isolated-dystopian-community genre. In a world well-stocked with genius children, the point-of-view focus through an ordinary boy with questionable free will provides a compelling shift from the expected. (Science fiction. 11-13)