The Ones

Gr 9 Up—Cody and James are both gennys—that's the disparaging nickname given to the one percent of the U.S. population who were genetically engineered for superior brains, looks, and athletic skills. Popular sentiment has turned against the social experiment, initiated by the National Institute of Health 18 years earlier. Members of the Equality movement are using the courts and thuggish tactics to bring the Ones down. Along with a law making their very existence illegal, there is talk of a vaccine that would reverse their genetic advantages. Though Cody and James have been girlfriend and boyfriend for several years, they don't see eye to eye on the best course of action. Cody joins the New Weathermen, a rebel group determined to fight for the Ones' rights to be who they were born (or made) to be. James is less likely to rush into things, though he doesn't want to be changed, either. When a peaceful school demonstration gets out of hand, the stakes are raised for everyone. Loose ends in the final pages point clearly to a sequel. The science of the plot is thin, but the chase scenes have vivid moments. Cody loves James but is attracted to Kai, a New Weatherman. A big reveal about Cody's identity doesn't fully add up, but that flaw doesn't seem to have much impact on the plot.