The Ear, The Eye and The Arm

I've never been a huge fan of science fiction, but this book has me second guessing that notion.

One day, in the year 2194, Tendai, Rita and Kuda set out on what is supposed to be a simple, innocent day trek for a scout badge. It turns out to be the biggest adventure of their life time, full of trouble, crime and mysterious folk. The way the past and the future are tied together is incredibly fascinating, and definitely gives you a different perspective into how different cultural pasts have transformed (and will continue to transform) over time. The Ear, The Eye, And The Arm definitely requires to step outside of yourself and see things from a totally different perspective.

One of the most interesting things in the novel was the feel that Tendai, Kuda and Rita are living in a post-racial world. The Mellower is given a race, but he is also from a tribe, and has been inhabited by a spirit of a different tribe despite his physical appearance. There is no greater or lesser value placed on him because of his skin color. There aren't any racial signifiers to describe Tendai, Kuda and Rita other than what is given in context (their African ancestry is a hint, as well as the italicized words), although the three detectives are briefly described in racial terms.

Other interesting topics that come up are environmental issues, authority issues, things related to coming of age and the idea of a Utopia.

Personally, I enjoyed the novel. I feel like it is laced with a variety of things to discuss in a book group or as a class or even just with your family. I read this book out loud to my little sister (who is 10) and she loved it. She is an accelerated reader (reading at almost a 10th grade level) so I wouldn't recommend this book for most 10 year olds, but I would definitely use it with middle and high school aged youth.