ReadOn Review by Sarah:

The Declaration, by Gemma Malley, is about Anna (or just Surplus Anna), a girl who believes she shouldn’t exist and Peter, a boy who believes he has more right to exist than those who have lived too long.

Set in the future 127 years from now, a drug has been created to cure ageing called, ‘Longevity’. However, the drug has a price. Since people are not dying, space on Earth is becoming limited as are resources such as: energy and food. This means that people cannot have children unless they choose to ‘Opt Out’ (stop taking Longevity), basically a life for a life. The child then becomes “legal” according to The Declaration (the agreement to say, if you take Longevity you cannot have children). Then there are people who cheat the system by taking Longevity and having children – illegally. People like Anna’s parents.

Anna despises her parents and thinks of them as heartless criminals, leaving her to pay for their sins in Surplus Hall, a place for illegals or Surpluses like Anna who have to work for the basic resources they use. There, life is tough and cruel where authority rules. Anna is determined to be the best Surplus Mrs Pincent (the lady in charge of Surplus Hall) has ever had – a valuable asset. All is going well for Anna who works her way up to Prefect status (the highest title for a Surplus), that is until Peter comes along. Peter is an inquisitive boy who asks questions and fights for what he believes is right, exactly what is discouraged of Surpluses. Anna is asked to show Peter the way of a Surplus but Peter claims he has no intention of becoming a Surplus and is fine being Peter but actually came to take Anna Convey (not Surplus Anna) to her parents back home where she belongs.

If you like books that are adventurous, suspenseful and courageous, you will enjoy this book.

If you liked ‘How I live Now’ by Meg Rosoff then you might like this book too.

I’d recommend this book to years 7- 9 because the themes and language would best suit a teen range, although in all, it’s a great book that others would also enjoy.

I rate this book 5/5 ReadOn Stars.