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I normally do not read science fiction, but I am so glad I read Melissa Kline’s young adult novel, My Beginning. This futuristic novel had me hooked after reading the first page.
Author Melissa Kline has created a descriptive story with all kinds of twists and turns. The love story between the main character Ivory and Aidan is tender and sweet. This coming of age story will captivate the hearts of all teens 15 and older.
The narrator, 16-year-old Ivory, has spent her life in an institution. The human race was nearly wiped out by a plague, and now young children, and teenagers are protected within the walls of the institution. Ivory meets a young man named Aidan and soon falls in love. Unfortunately, love affairs are strictly forbidden in the institution.
Aidan and Ivory soon find themselves on their own outside of the institution. It is then that they discover the truth about themselves and the nature of the institution.
There are several lessons young people can learn from this well-written book. I always judge a book on what one can learn from it. Here are the things that stand out:
• Perseverance: The main character Ivory never gives up on her dreams. Even though she encounters many obstacles, she remains steadfast and could achieve her goals.
• Loyalty: Main character Ivory could have turned her back on Aidan, but her pure heart allows her to see things in the proper perspective, and she places her life in danger in order to help Aidan.
• Accepting differences: When Ivory learns for the first time the identity of Aidan, instead of judging him, she accepts him for who he is. This is a great lesson for young people to learn. Too many times, we hear of incidents of bullying and how other kids are teased mercilessly because of race, religion, and sexual orientation.
Kline has written 10 novels, and My Beginning is the first one of her manuscripts to be published in book form. My Beginning has won The Halloween Book Festival 2012 Award. I am looking forward to reading her future novels.
Melissa Kline is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and founder of Rocky Mountain Women Writers, a Denver based writing group created to inspire women to write from their dreams. You can learn more about Melissa here.
