By: Lesley Choyce
Nigel is a 16-year-old high school student who writes a class assignment about a world in which teenagers become the leaders in society, politically, economically, socially, and medically. Unexpectedly, a publisher expresses interest, and the book is published. Very quickly Nigel becomes an unwitting celebrity, subject to praise and sometimes violent opposition.
Nigel’s a loner, not a social animal, and to his surprise a mysterious new classmate fastens onto him and strongly encourages him to complete his novel. Where she’s from is unknown, but Michelle is beautiful and intelligent and as it turns out, from the future. The book Nigel’s written has become a guidebook for the youth of her day.
Complicating Nigel’s life is the fact that Michelle has to return to her own time, and it’s left to him to decide whether he must say goodbye to her forever or else join her in the future. If he does, he can never return to his own world, in a time where teenagers remain outside the realms of power and control.
