New You for Ever

LoveReading4Kids Says

January 2026 Book of the Month

Dystopian fiction is right back in vogue it seems – wonder why? – and Steve Cole’s gripping, thought-provoking story feels scarily possible.

It’s 2070, mankind has experienced a string of climate disasters with large parts of the world uninhabitable, and humans reduced to eating insects. One benefit of this brave new world however, are ‘Pleekas’. The development of artificial emotional intelligence means that those who can afford it can transfer their memories and personality into an artificial body, a Pleeka.

It looks just like you, only better. Moreover, this body won’t age or get sick; won’t need to sleep, eat, use the toilet. No wonder people are flocking to sign up with Pleeka developer, the New You Foundation and with the arrival of the next generation of Pleekas, the offer is extended to those as young as sixteen, the marketing campaign being stay young, live forever, don’t consume any resources.

If this sounds too good to be true, you won’t be surprised to hear that the New You Foundation care more about their profits and power, than about people or the planet. Can narrator, teenage journalist Anders Jones and young climate change activist Tera Helstrom expose the company before it’s too late, for them and their fellow humans?

Packed full of ideas, this tense and involving story poses fascinating questions and will set all readers thinking.

Particularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 8.

Reviewed by Andrea Reece
Andrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
More reviews by Andrea Reece

About New You for Ever

Can you save the world by living for ever? Anders uncovers the sinister truth about Pleekas in this gripping dystopian thriller from award-winning author Steve Cole.

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