I was just reading the news online and thinking how war has become a part of every generation. Guess I am in somewhat of a pensive mood as I just finished reading L. J. Adlington's The Diary of Pelly D. It is a science fiction novel set on another planet that humans have colonized, but the humans have evolved to the degree that they have gills. Wallowing in clean water is an essential part of their daily routine - it is called Bliss. They even have a water theme park called Waterworld. Hmmm - gills, water - makes me think if a futuristic Kevin Costner movie that bombed in the box office, but I loved it. :-)

Pelly D is the self proclaimed most popular girl in school - at least that is what her diary says. Toni V found her diary buried in a paint can when he was jack hammering apart the old city plaza. The war is over and they are rebuilding the city and discarding all the debris left behind by the war- books, mangled laptops, etc. He becomes obsessed with the life of this self-centered pre-war girl. Pelly D's life takes a drastic change for the worst when the government insists on genetic testing and everyone is stamped with their genetic code. The power brokers all flash their red Atsumisi hand stamps and no one wants to be Galrezi - sure they are supposed to be the artistic types, but they are the bottom of the gene pool. Although Pelly D's dad is Atsumisi her sculptor mom is Galrezi and it is a dominant gene so Pelly D and her brother and sister wear the shameful Galrezi green hand stamp as well. Before long the Galrezi are told that, with the water shortages and the refugees coming into the city, everyone has to share - but it seems only the Galrezi are being moved out of their large apartments and into the Artist Quarters. And then forcing the Galrezi to live in a group isn't enough - Pelly D's family, minus dad who is Atsumisi and in another city, is being moved. No one knows where.

This book gave me the shivers and then some. Reminded me of Nazi Germany. Racist is a dirty word in this book, but racism is certainly alive and well. Sorry folks - this one won't hit book stores until April.

Sorry - didn't mean to end on a down note, but this is one of those books that has your mind chewing away at it as you settle it into your mind. I think I will be "chewing" on this one for days.