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Extras by Scott Westerfeld
Simon Pulse, 2007
Reviewer recommended 7th grade and up.Summary
Extras is the fourth of Westerfeld's series set in a future world following government-sponsored manipulations such as population control and culture integrations. Most characters have submitted to mind- and/or body-altering surgeries earning them their categorizations such as "pretties", "bubbleheads", and "Radical Honesty" clique members. This story builds around Aya, a 15-year-old "extra" yearning to raise her "face rank" by "kicking" a fabulous story. When such a story falls into her lap she faces choices about personal safety, honesty, loyalty, and bravery as she uncovers a story much bigger than what she thought.
Language
- No cursing.
- Potentially offensive words include "sucked" and "crap".
Sexual Situations
- Two main characters share brief kisses.
Violence
- Characters are bruised and battered by fists and collisions during fights with their enemies and while escaping via hoverboards.
- Other-worldly characters are capable of sedating their enemies with poisonous "needle fingers".
- Suspected weapons are blown up in order to destroy them.
- Alcohol is served at a party with minors.
- A 15-year-old main character drinks champagne.
Race Issues
- The novel takes place in Japan, but explains that most races and cultures have been mixed.
- Genetic beauty is disregarded as most humans have surgery at 16 to make them "pretties" instead of "uglies".
- A main character states, "Gods are so last year." when referring to religious cliques.
Politics
- World government has induced population control, mind-control, a money-free economic system and many secrets.
