For the teen processing loss and grappling with big questions about identity, this novel offers a unique, introspective journey into understanding humanity.
A parent might reach for this book when their thoughtful teen is wrestling with existential questions about identity, family secrets, and what it means to be human, especially in the wake of a loss. The story follows sixteen-year-old Eda, who is grieving the recent death of her father from a mysterious genetic illness. When she discovers a secret video he left for her, she embarks on a cross-country journey to find others like him, uncovering a truth about her family's origins that challenges her understanding of everything. This introspective novel thoughtfully explores profound grief, anxiety, and the search for belonging through a unique science-fiction lens. Best for older teens (14-18) ready to engage with complex emotional and ethical questions, "What Makes Us" is a powerful choice for a young person who feels different and is trying to make sense of their place in the world. It provides a safe space to explore difficult feelings about mortality and heredity.
A parent's death occurs before the story begins but is a constant and central theme.
Moral AmbiguityModerate
The book raises complex ethical questions about genetic engineering and personhood without easy answers.
Sensitive Topics
The death of a parent is the central, driving force of the plot. It is handled directly and is the source of the main character's grief and motivation. The approach is secular. The novel uses its science fiction premise to explore identity, belonging, and the ethics of genetic engineering. The resolution is not about finding a cure or a simple answer, but about Eda's personal acceptance and understanding. It is realistic and emotionally nuanced, ending on a note of quiet hope and self-determination.
Ideal Reader
A highly introspective teen, 15-18, who enjoys character-driven stories with a philosophical bent. They may feel like an outsider or be grappling with their own identity. It's a perfect fit for a teen processing a significant loss (especially of a parent) and asking big, unanswerable questions about life and their place in it. A reader who appreciated the film "Gattaca" or enjoys quiet sci-fi would connect with this.
Parent Prep
No specific pages require previewing. The book can be read cold. However, parents should be prepared for potential conversations about mortality, grief, the ethics of science, and what defines a family. The book's strength is its ability to open up these complex discussions, so it's best approached with a willingness to engage with the teen's thoughts afterward. A parent notices their teen has become withdrawn and contemplative after a family death. The teen might be questioning their own identity in relation to the person who was lost, saying things like, "Who am I now?" or expressing feelings of being fundamentally different from their peers.
Age Experience
A younger teen (14-15) will likely focus on the mystery and the road trip aspect of Eda's quest, connecting with the themes of secrets and friendship. An older teen (16-18) is more likely to engage with the deeper philosophical questions about humanity, heredity, and the moral ambiguity of the scientists' work. They will better appreciate the nuanced, open-ended conclusion.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA books about grief that remain in the contemporary realistic space, "What Makes Us" uses a speculative fiction concept as a powerful metaphor. The idea of being genetically engineered externalizes the internal feelings of being different, of carrying an inherited legacy (or illness), and of struggling to define oneself outside of one's origins. This unique approach elevates a personal story of loss into a universal exploration of humanity.
Read plot summary
Sixteen-year-old Eda is reeling from her father’s death from a rare, unnamed illness. Her mother is emotionally distant and unwilling to talk about it. Eda discovers a video her father made before he died, which sets her on a quest to find other people connected to his past. Her journey reveals a startling secret: her father was one of several genetically engineered humans, created in a lab and designed to be a new step in evolution. As Eda meets the other surviving members of this group, she must confront what this legacy means for her own identity and what it truly means to be human.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Eda's father left her a sort of scavenger hunt to discover the truth after his death. Do you think this was a kind way to help her understand, or was it an unfair burden to place on her while she was grieving?
2
The Ergo, the genetically engineered people, struggle with feeling like they don't truly belong. How is their experience of being 'different' similar to or different from the ways many teenagers feel during high school?
3
Eda's mom, Cam, chose to keep the secret of Eda's father's origins from her for years. Why do you think she did this? Was it the right decision?
4
At the end of the novel, Eda has to decide for herself what makes a person human. What conclusion do you think she comes to? What does being 'human' mean to you?
