The Firefly Code by Megan Frazer Blakemore
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781681195278
(Age: 10-14) Recommended. Themes: Science fiction. Genetic
engineering. Utopias. Friendship. Megan Frazer Blakemore's science
fiction novel The Firefly Code explores friendship and life
in the beautifully crafted utopian world of Old Harmonie. Everything
from a regulated diet to strict guidelines for living is adhered to
by the residents. Parents can genetically design their children and
when they have their thirteenth birthday they learn their genetic
makeup and choose their latency a special gift.
Twelve year old Mori and her friends, Julia, Theo and Benji live in
cookie cutter houses on Firefly Lane. They love riding their bikes,
swimming and hanging out together. Mori's curious about the history
of her environment, and she loves to explore deep in the woods right
near the fence separating the outside world from hers. When new girl
Ilana moves into the vacant house, she seems to be too perfect, and
the friends are curious about her textbook life and family, her past
and her sometimes strange behaviour.
Mori and Ilana form a special bond; Mori's inquisitiveness is piqued
by Ilana's actions causing her to carefully observe her behaviours.
The two girls build a secret retreat they call 'Oaksedge' in the
woods, a special retreat where Mori nurtures her special trees. When
the friends decide to explore the abandoned house left by the
founders of Old Harmonie, friendships are tested and questions are
raised. Mori takes Dr Varden's notebook explaining the origins of
the society based on genetic engineering of bees and their
behaviour. With an unexpected fire, the disappearance of Ilana and
Mori's determination to uncover more about her great-grandma's role
in starting this special place, this is an exciting story.
Blakemore's novel told from Mori's perspective is an engaging read,
exploring everyday life, friendships and realistically discussing
the role of genetic engineering and the impact of life in a utopian
society. The Firefly Code is a suitable science fiction
narrative for the middle grades as a class novel.
Rhyllis Bignell