Parents' Guide to

The Testing, Book 1

By Michael Berry, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Thoughtful dystopian tale questions winning at all costs.

Book Joelle Charbonneau Science Fiction 2013
The Testing, Book 1 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 13+

Based on 5 parent reviews

TheMarkM
TheMarkM Adult
October 14, 2020
age 13+

erivative and Unpleasant

Yet another dystopian novel with an unbelievably rigid social structure and a leadership that seems to have unlimited resources available for oppression. The second half of the novel devolves into a sequence of chases and battles that are hard to follow, require a ridiculous amount of suspension of disbelief, and are not particularly entertaining. Only read this if you absolutely loved the Maze Runner and Divergent and would rather read a similar derivative of those books instead of something more interesting in another genre.
iwolfv18
iwolfv18 Adult
June 12, 2019
age 13+

It was good

This was a good book. If you enjoy "The Hunger Games" and "Divergent", you get those two mixed together. I really loved it all ever since I read it in 2018. I was surprise by it all and it did have me thinking a bit and yes, I would recommend this book for older kids because some ares may be a little complicated, unless they like that kind of books.
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What's the Story?

Seventeen-year-old Cia Vale has always dreamed of leaving her family at the Five Lakes Colony and going on to university. First, though, she must pass The Testing, a brutal series of examinations that push applicants to their physical, intellectual, and emotional extremes. Before she leaves, her father tells her to trust no one, but does that include Tomas, the handsome, sensitive classmate who seems almost too good to be true?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5):
Kids say (35):

Although it at first seems like The Hunger Games Lite, THE TESTING proves to have some original thinking behind it. As Cia and Tomas struggle to master the various assignments that will ensure them a college education and a rewarding career (provided they aren't killed first), the novel grows in complexity and develops suspenseful momentum. The book questions the notion of winning at all costs, and those who fail The Testing are treated by Cia as unique individuals who deserve compassion. The saga is clearly only beginning at the end of this volume, but readers will be ready to sign up for the next installment.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about dystopian novels. Why are they so popular? How does The Testing compare with other dystopian books you've read?

  • Does society force teenagers to compete against one and another? When is competition desirable, and how can it be abused?

  • Do you think that the government ever secretly records the private conversations of its citizens? What reasons might they give for doing so?

Book Details

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