For teens grappling with unexpected responsibility and the weight of their actions, this gripping sci-fi tale explores what it means to care for another, even a clone.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is facing a sudden, heavy responsibility they feel unequipped to handle. Following the events of "The Virtual War," fifteen-year-old hero Corgan is tasked with a mission far more personal than combat: raising the baby clone of his brilliant friend, Sharla, who died helping him. This sci-fi novel is a surprisingly intimate look at grief, ethics, and the challenges of caregiving. It's best for older teens (13-17) who can grapple with complex questions about identity and what it means to be human, all wrapped in a fast-paced, thought-provoking story.
There are some scenes of tension and threat, but the story is not graphically violent.
Sensitive Topics
The death of a child (the original Sharla) is the catalyst for the entire plot, though it happens before this book begins. Corgan's grief is a direct, ongoing theme, handled in a secular way. The book's central conflict is the ethical and philosophical debate around cloning and personhood. Is the clone a continuation of Sharla or a new person? The resolution is hopeful, strongly suggesting the clone is her own individual with a right to her own life.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful teen, 14-16, who enjoys character-focused science fiction over large-scale space battles. This is perfect for a teen who has recently taken on a significant new responsibility (e.g., becoming an older sibling, getting a demanding job, taking a leadership role in a club) and feels the pressure to perform perfectly without any preparation.
Parent Prep
Parents should know this is the second book in a duology. Reading "The Virtual War" first provides crucial emotional context for Corgan and Sharla's relationship, making his grief and dedication in this book much more powerful. The book can be read without major context, but the emotional impact is lessened. No specific scenes require previewing, but the moral questions about cloning are the main point of discussion. A parent might see their teen struggling with the weight of new expectations, hearing them say something like, "I don't know how I'm supposed to do all this," or "Everyone is counting on me and I'm going to mess it up."
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely focus on the adventure and survival aspects: hiding a secret clone, the cool futuristic setting, and the unique challenge of being a teen parent. An older teen (15-17) will connect more with the philosophical questions: the nature of identity, the ethics of science, and Corgan's complex psychological journey from soldier to father figure.
What Makes It Special
While many YA sci-fi books deal with bioethics, "The Clones" is unique for its intensely personal and small-scale focus. Instead of a rebellion against a dystopia, it's a quiet story about one boy's struggle to do the right thing for one child. It uses a high-concept sci-fi premise to tell a very grounded story about parenting, love, and what we owe to one another.
Read plot summary
This is the sequel to "The Virtual War." After his victory, 15-year-old Corgan is given guardianship of a clone of Sharla, the young mutant genius who died in the first book. He retreats to a remote island to raise the clone, whom he calls "Baby," in secret. The plot follows his struggles as a teenage single parent, his grief for the original Sharla, and his efforts to protect the rapidly developing clone from the Federation that wants to exploit her intellect. It is a character-driven story about responsibility, ethics, and attachment.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Corgan initially struggles to see the clone as a separate person from the Sharla he knew. What specific event in the book do you think marks the turning point where he begins to see 'Baby' as her own individual?
2
The Federation believes the clone's potential genius belongs to society for the 'greater good.' Corgan believes she has a right to a normal childhood. Do you think it's ever right to sacrifice an individual's freedom for society's benefit? Where would you draw the line?
3
If you were in Corgan’s position, do you think you would have accepted the responsibility of raising Sharla's clone? What would have been the most difficult part of that decision for you?
4
The book explores the idea of 'nature versus nurture.' How much of the clone's personality and abilities seem to come from her genetics (nature), and how much from how Corgan raises her (nurture)?
5
Near the end, Corgan has to make a difficult choice about the clone's future. Did you agree with his decision? What might you have done differently?
