YA 80's Science Fiction - Mind Control Device Removal

I read thousands of books growing up, but this book continues to haunt me. It was likely hardcover, and I likely read it in the late 80's. Just a book off the shelf in a small school library. There was only one central them that sticks with me to this day. Every member of society had a piece of technology on the back of their neck that I believe controlled them in some way, constantly told them what to think and feel, perhaps? (I wonder if it played some part in inspiring the control jack on the neck in the movie Matrix?) One day, one person decides he/she has had enough and basically breaks this thing off (I believe took a stone to it!), giving him a peaceful/silent mind for ths first time in his life. I remember his close friend trying to talk him out of it (may have been female). It sure took guts! I think he may have "left town" at this point, since he could no longer fit in (or was finally free to leave?). I was reading all of the greats like Asimov, Hubbard, etc before I was a teen, so it could have easily been adult and not YA. I wish I remembered more! This forum is wonderful!

The Tripods series by John Christopher has a similar mind control device in the neck. The White Mountains is the first: My copy of City of Gold and Lead showed the device on the cover.

It might also be Devil on my Back by Monica Hughes.

infiniteletters, you are a genius! My large city library has nothing from this author, but reading around on the Internet about this title confirms it for me. Once I read other people's recollections about him cutting his hair, etc. I knew this had to be it. It blows me away how quickly you found it and responded! Truly a reclaimed gem from childhood.

If you are interested, here is the thread that confirmed your find for me:

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/bn/board/message?board.id=fsf&thread.id=...

What a great forum this is. It appears I found the place for fantasy/sci-fi fans like myself!

Now to go about finding a copy of this for my 12 year old!

It appears I may not be the only one who loves this book dearly; one reviewer even claimed it as most favorite book ever! I will have to look into the second book "The Dream Catcher" as well!

These reviews from Amazon say it all:

http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Catcher-Monica-Hughes/product-reviews/0749708808/ref...

Nathan

I was going to recommend The Dream Catcher based on message 4. You might like her Invitation to the Game as well. :)