A parent might reach for this book when their teen is struggling with a profound sense of change or feeling like an imposter in their own life. "Anything But Ordinary" tells the story of Bryce, a teenage diver whose life is saved by an experimental computer chip implanted in her brain after a near-fatal accident. The novel explores her journey as she grapples with her new reality: she's smarter and faster, but her memories feel distant and she questions if she is still human. This thought-provoking story blends science fiction with a heartfelt exploration of identity, loneliness, and what it means to belong. It's a compelling choice for teens who enjoy character-driven sci-fi that asks big philosophical questions in an accessible way.
The protagonist grapples with feelings of alienation and loss of her former identity.
Romantic ContentMild
Features a central teen romance with kissing and dating.
Moral AmbiguityModerate
A parent makes ethically questionable medical decisions for their child's survival.
Sensitive Topics
The book's primary theme is identity, explored directly through Bryce's internal monologue about her humanity. It also touches on the aftermath of traumatic injury and acquired disability, framed through a sci-fi lens. The approach is secular and focuses on personal philosophy and emotional reality. The resolution is hopeful, centering on Bryce's acceptance of her new, hybrid self rather than a return to her old life. The morality of her father's actions is a central, ambiguous conflict.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful teen, 13-16, who enjoys character-driven science fiction like "The Adoration of Jenna Fox." This book is perfect for a reader who is wrestling with big questions of identity ("Who am I?") or feels fundamentally changed by a life event, leaving them feeling disconnected from their past self. It will also appeal to teens interested in the ethics of technology.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. The sci-fi premise makes the complex themes accessible. Parents might want to be prepared to discuss medical ethics, as a central theme is whether Bryce's father was right to make such a drastic, life-altering choice for her without her consent. There is a mild teen romance with some kissing. The parent hears their child say something like, "I don't feel like myself anymore," or observes them struggling with social isolation after a major life change. The child might be expressing frustration that no one understands what they are going through.
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely be captivated by the sci-fi mystery, the romance, and Bryce's enhanced abilities. An older teen (15-17) will connect more deeply with the philosophical questions about humanity, memory, consciousness, and the moral gray areas of scientific advancement.
What Makes It Special
While many YA sci-fi books focus on external, world-ending threats, this story's conflict is intensely personal and internal. It uniquely blends the familiar tropes of a contemporary high school story (romance, friendships, school pressure) with a high-concept philosophical dilemma, making the question of what it means to be human feel immediate and relatable.
Read plot summary
Bryce, a talented high school diver, suffers a near-drowning accident. To save her, her neuroscientist father replaces the damaged parts of her brain with a sophisticated computer chip. As Bryce recovers, she must navigate a new reality where her memories are files, her emotions feel different, and her physical abilities are enhanced. She grapples with her identity while falling for a boy named Austin and uncovering the corporate secrets and ethical compromises behind the technology that saved her life, including the truth about her accident.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Bryce constantly worries if she's still the 'real' Bryce. At what point, if any, do you think she stopped being human? What do you believe makes a person 'human'?
2
Bryce's father saved her life but lied to her about the procedure and the nature of her accident. Were his actions justified? Why or why not?
3
Bryce's memories are digital files, yet she still has feelings tied to them. How important do you think memories are to a person's identity? If your personality changed, would you still be you?
4
At the end of the book, Bryce seems to accept her new self. In what ways has her bionic brain made her life better, and in what ways has it made it worse? Do you think she is better off than before?
