Eli Frieden has enjoyed a comfortable life in Serenity, New Mexico. What makes the town so perfect? There is no crime and every house in the small town has a pool and a basketball net. Eli and the 29 other kids who live there have never cared that they haven’t explored the world outside the city limits.  Why would they? Everything they could ever want or need is right in Serenity! Eli’s life begins to change when his best friend, Randy, must suddenly move away from Serenity. No other kid has left before!  Once Eli reads a secret note left by his friend, he discovers everything he knows about himself, his family, and even his hometown, has been a lie.  With the help of a few trusted friends, Eli tries to uncover the answers to the questions swirling in his head:  Why aren’t we allowed to leave? What is Project Osiris? Trust me, you won’t want to put this book down until you, too, discover the truth behind Serenity.

Book reviewed by Amy M., Youth Services Assistant