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Book Review By Angela Tircuit
Turnabout by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Melly Hazelwood and Anny Beth Flix are part of a secret scientific project. It's the year 2085. Melly is 16 and Anny Beth is 18. But, in the year 2000, they were both in their hundreds. Thanks to Project Turnabout, they were given a chance to grow younger, along with fifty other men and women in her nursing home. But, when they signed up, they had no idea of the problems that would face them. First, for every year they de-aged, they lost the memories of what their lives had been like the first time around. They were told not to contact their families, who believed they were dead. One of the women couldn't handle it and tried to contact her son. When he didn't recognize her, she committed suicide. They were also told that there was an injection that would stop the de-aging at whatever age they wanted. But, instead, the injection just rapidly made a person grow old and die.

So, now Melly and Anny Beth are getting younger every year. They're living on their own, determined not to stay with the agency who began the experiment. They also don't want to become media freaks. But, they don't know how long they can hold out. They'll soon have to have someone to take care of them. Melly spends her time searching for the perfect family, who will adopt them and keep their secret. But, she soon finds that someone is looking for her. One of her descendents, who also happens to be a reporter. Melly and Anny Beth run away to Melly's old home, hoping to avoid prying eyes. But, can they stay hidden in a time when every move is tracked on video? And, what about their aging problem? It might take the one person they're avoiding to help them out.


Plot & Themes
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Magical Beings/Mental/Magical/Powers Yes
magical powers:
Lifeform altered? Yes
Kind of alteration:
Is this an adult or child's book? - Kid's book (ages 7-14)
Descript. of chases or violence - 0 %
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30 %

Main Character
Identity: - Female

Main Adversary
Identity: - society
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a substantial amount

Setting
Earth setting: - near future (later in 21st century)
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
scientific jargon? (SF only) - some scientific explanation
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