Book Review: The List

The List

by: Patricia Forde

Publication Date: August 8, 2017
Finished on: August 1, 2017
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Disclaimer: I received a free digital of this book from Netgalley as well as a physical Advanced Reader Copy from Sourcebooks Jabberwocky in return for an honest review.  All opinions expressed below are my own.

Synopsis:
The List tells the story of Ark, a apocalyptic and neo-medieval world.  For the citizens of Ark, words have to be used carefully.  It is actually illegal for them to use words that are not sanctioned.  If they break the law too many times, they can be cast out of Ark, where they are sure to die.

"Extinction: the saddest word of all."

Letta, a Wordsmith apprentice, is tasked with shortening the List of sanctioned words to 500 words.  While Letta is a keeper and archivist of language, she is tasked with suppressing everyone's speech.  She has to watch speech and language leave the only society she has known and loved.  Children in Ark are taught a bare minimum when it comes to reading and language.  Basically, they are taught only what is required so that simple communication can be transmitted, but nothing more.

"Sometimes people didn't have any choice about which road they took."

There were warnings: global warming and water levels rising, but no one listened.  Then, the Melting (of the polar ice caps) finally happened.  John Noa took humans and animals onto a ship to wait out the storm.  The only remaining humans on Earth are now living in Ark.  Letta is an appretice Wordsmith, tasked with writing and defining The List.  She is also tasked with keeping records of all banned words.  She is committed to doing what is best for the society as a whole.  But is John Noa right?  The List is a story of self-discovery and a girl who is determined to do what is best.

"Everything is a risk.  Life is a risk.  We have to be what we are."

My review:
I adored this middle-grade read.  I immediately requested a copy once I read about the concept.  Fahrenheit 451 is one of my all-time favorite reads, so when The List was compared to a mix of that and The Giver (a childhood favorite of mine), I knew I needed to read it.  I was not disappointed.  No, this is not an adult read and the plot is fairly simple, but I expected that in a middle-grade read.  Even as an adult, I was motivated to continue reading to find out what happened and how Letta would overcome the obstacles in her life.

One theme that I found very important in this novel was the concept of speaking up against authority if the authority is wrong.  I think it is important to teach children that just because someone is an authority figure (like John Noa), doesn't make that person infallible.  I believe that Letta follows some very appriate steps when questioning his authority - she thinks about other solutions, she goes to John Noa to try to sway him to her side, and really tries most available avenues to try to convince him.  I think this is an important lesson for children to see.

Another theme that I loved was using language and art as both tools and as a means of expressing emotions.  Not everything in life has to be done for the purpose of furthering society.  Art and language may be used to simply express ideas, opinions and feelings.

*On the Wordless:
"They were just people who had never learned to talk.  Why, then, did they fill her with such horror?"
I am an audiologist.  My area of exptertise is in pediatric cochlear implants.  For those who don't know what I'm talking about - cochlear implants are a surgically implanted electronic device that can help those with profound degrees of hearing loss hear.  Patients with cochlear implants do not hear the same way as someone with normal hearing, but they can gain access to spoken language though their devices.  The concept of the Wordless really hit home for me.  It is important to realize how important language is to our society.  Language, whether spoken or written, is our way to communicate our ideas, hopes, and passions with others.

Overall, I rate this middle-grade read 3.5/5 stars.  The List tells an amazing story of a young woman proving to herself and society that words are important.  While this is marketed for children aged 10-14 years, I think both younger and older readers will also enjoy this novel.  It tells many important messages and I anticipate that it will create amazing conversations if approached correctly.

BRAIN EXPRESS BELIEVE

THEY SPEAK MIND AND HOPE KNOWLEDGE

LISTEN LOOK LIVE LIFE

I highly recommend this book for middle-grade readers, for parents, and for people who love books, language, and being able to express themselves. Think of The List as a younger, more introductory, read to the lessons in Fahrenheit 451.