The Knife of Never Letting Go

 

    

    Todd lives on a planet called the New World where a germ as wiped out all the women where the men and animals can hear each others' thoughts.  Todd is about to enter the journey of becoming a man and encounters a whole in the Noise- silence.  His parents send him away for fear the other men in town hearing about Todd's noise.  Todd not only is having to survive away from his family, but then he encounters a crashed spaceship with a girl.  The two travel together trying to escape the army of the village on their route to Haven (their safe place).

    I love how even though Todd has never seen or talked to women, he still develops a relationship with Viola in which he cares for her.

    Within a later middle school or high school group of students, I think this book could be used to explore various themes such as boyhood to manhood, friendship, and family.  Todd's journey as an adolescent gives readers a chance to relate to a character going through similar changes and handling life as it comes at him.

Ness, P. (2008).  The Knife of Never Letting Go.  Candlewick Press.