I thought that there wasn't much of a plot, but the idea of de-aging was intriguing. ( )

A group of elderly people are given an experimental drug that allows them to age backwards. Will it work? Can they stop when they want? Or will they keep aging backwards? ( )

"IT ISN'T NATURAL FOR YOU TO BE YOUNGER THAN YOUR GREAT-CHILDREN. WE MESSED AROUND WITH NATURE, AND WE SHOULDN'T HAVE." MELLY AND ANNY BETH BOTH LIVED NORMAL LIVES THROUGHOUT THE 20TH CENTURY. BUT IN 2000, WHEN THEY ARE OLD AND READY TO DIE, THEY ARE SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN PROJECT TURNABOUT AND ARE GIVEN AN INJECTION TO MAKE THEM GROW YOUNGER.

AS USUAL, HADDIX HAS COME UP WITH AN INTRIGUING CONCEPT. NEVER AGING SOUNDS GREAT, BUT MELLY AND ANNY BETH PROVE THAT THERE IS A DOWNSIDE AS WELL. WILL TEENS RELATE TO THIS? SOME WILL, BECAUSE HADDIX MANAGES TO KEEP READERS GUESSING RIGHT UP TO THE END. GREAT TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION. ( )

"It isn't natural for you to be younger than your great-grandchildren. We messed around with nature, and we shouldn't have. Melly and Anny Beth both lived normal lives throughout the 20th century. But in 2000, when they are old and ready to die, they are selected to participate in Project Turnabout and are given an injection to make them grow younger..." ( )

Haddix toys with the concept of escaping mortality in this story, adding the twist that there is no way to stop the age reversal. The protagonists have experienced two lifetimes. Yet, they face the same universal uncertainties about “unaging” as they faced growing old. Haddix adds in the advancement of technology and the ever-present eye of authority to create a highly conceivable futuristic society where “big brother” is watching. ( )