School Library Journal Review
Gr 8 Up--Meet Alex: one of 10 biologically engineered humans as part of Project Apogee. For years, these promising New Humans have been the next level of genetic perfection. Except for Alex, who at the age of eight is kicked out of the program for testing only slightly above average (and exuding too many "feminine qualities"). Now 15, Alex is thriving, living as their true self with a truly amazing skill until one phone call leads them back to Project Apogee. The nine other perfect humans have all just tested as unextraordinary and Project Apogee needs Alex, the first failure and possibly now the most extraordinary, to help. A solid debut from trans author Duran that looks into a sci-fi future not too distant from our own. Written in free verse, the plot's pacing moves rapidly, using Project Apogee to explore societal views on what makes a human flawless. The dynamic of the authority figure (Project Apogee) vs. the moldable individuals (New Humans) allows Alex to beautifully stand up for themselves by embracing who they are and what they love. Though there is a very quick and clean resolution, Alex's journey toward self-love really hits home near the end when they realize that no one is a mistake, and no one needs to prove their worth. VERDICT For the collection looking to build its LGBT titles, this is a book that praises every life as remarkable and worthy.--Emily Walker, Lisle Library District, IL
Kirkus Review
What happens when designer babies don't turn out the way their designers intended?In the very near future, humanity is suffering. "There wasn't / enough food or medicine / to go around. We were made / to be the solution." Trans teen Alex and their nine siblings were created to be saviors of the human race by Project Apogee. Each had their own special area of expertise, and all excelled at first; then Alex didn't. When the 10 kids returned from their foster parents' houses at age 7 for tests, Alex didn't satisfy Dr. Pinker and was told they wouldn't be let back in. Their sister Anto hints that part of the reason was that Alex was too girly. Alex is comfortable with their feminine side and with being free from the Project. They lose touch with the other nine, until at 15 they all return to Apogee for more testing and learn they have lost their abilities. Alex is invited back for further study, and they go in hopes of saving their siblings from Dr. Pinker. Debut trans novelist Duran has created a page-turning science fiction narrative in blank verse that simultaneously sensitively and realistically displays the feelings of a trans teen. Any outsider will identify with Alex's feelings of otherness and failure and cheer when their otherness is the key to success.Aimed at reluctant readers, this will satisfy the voracious reader too. (Verse novel. 12-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Project Apogee created 10 perfect children, meant to be the new leaders of humanity. Each child was given their own gift: music, beauty, health, brains, and so on. Alex's gift is memory, except Project Apogee sees Alex as a failure. Born with slightly uneven legs and too feminine for a supposed boy (Alex is nonbinary), Alex is dismissed from Project Apogee at the age of seven. Though sad to be separated from their friends, Alex is glad to be free from the project, to be with their supportive parents, and to paint their nails as they please. But when, at age 15, the other nine seemingly lose their gifts, Project Apogee looks to Alex for the answer. Debut trans author Duran skillfully uses the verse form and speculative genre to represent the experience of and celebrate the value in being different. While accessible and easy to read in one sitting, many poignant turns of phrase beg to be savored and contemplated over longer stretches.--Eleanor Roth Copyright 2020 Booklist
