The Other Place

Sylvia Pantaleo is an assistant professor of education specializing in
children’s literature at Queen’s University. She is the co-author of
Learning with Literature in the Canadian Elementary Classroom.

Alison Fairweather lives in the 22nd century. Alison, her brother,
Gordie, and her parents are banished to a penal colony for five years
because Alison’s father has been posting articles on the Worldnet
attacking the government. The five-year sentence provides Alison with
insight into the fate of her best friend, Kristin, who mysteriously
disappeared one day. The Fairweathers live in isolation, in a
dome-shaped house in the Habitat W correctional facility. They are
supplied with food, entertainment, and basic living needs as a raging
dust storm whirls outside the Fairweathers’ domicile.

Alison’s parents seem ininterested in their children and Alison
quickly realizes that her parents are being drugged through their food.
Gordie leaves the protected dome and Alison finds him living in a
community of children with only one adult, Jay. Alison learns that the
children are self-sufficient and that Jay’s role is one of
facilitator. Much to her surprise, Alison meets Kristin and discovers
that she was banished from the community by the children. With
Kristin’s encouragement, Alison also learns that Habitat W is on
another planet.

Together Alison and Kristin set out to discover Jay’s true identity,
his role in their captivity, and any information about the creation of
the children’s community. Whose side is Jay on? The World Government
Police (WOGPO) or the residents of Habitat W?

Monica Hughes carefully creates a futuristic world of uniformity and
control. Readers are left wondering about the future of Habitat W and
Earth. The plot is engaging and there are unexpected developments in the
narrative. As well as promoting contemplation of the role of power and
control in contemporary society, the novel excites visions of a future
society. Recommended.