Mod 3 Double Helix

Werlin, Nancy. Double Helix. New York: Sleuth, 2003. ISBN 0803726066.

Summary:

Eli Samuels only got drunk once in his life. However, that one time he did something really stupid. He sent an email to a legendary molecular biologist, Dr. Quincy Wyatt, asking for a job. Amazingly, he gets it. Working for a Nobel prize winning doctor, at a prestigious institution, with great pay and benefits while taking a year off before college is a dream come true for Eli. Until. Until his father asks him to quit without giving him a reason. Until his mother’s Huntington disease takes her life. Until he discovers a fifth-level basement that is not on the building plans. Until he meets a girl that looks exactly like his mother did at his age. What is the connection between him, his father, his mother, and Dr. Wyatt?

Analysis:

Werlin keeps up the pace in this young adult mystery with her short chapters and fast action. Eli tries to keep his life secrets to himself, but once he begins working, they fall off like layers on an onion. His mother’s disease, his girlfriend, the letter he finds about a blood test, the connection to Dr. Wyatt, and his biggest fear, that his father is not his real father all unravel in a short period of time. Dr. Wyatt’s cryptic remarks do not give any relief to Eli’s plight. “Free will? The soul? Something unique in humans that separates us from animals? It’s a fairy tale we’ve invented to shield us from reality.” Eli struggles to find out who’s reality Dr. Wyatt is referring to. The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books wrote, “Taut pacing gives this thrilleresque appeal, the emotional intensity and contemporary plausibility will suck in even readers usually skittish about speculative fiction, and the challenging exploration of genetic ethics will definitely prompt some thoughtful discussion."

Reviews:

Kirkus 2004

A suspenseful exploration of love and bioethics.... Thought-provoking, powerful, and rich in character.

Publisher's Weekly 2004

Mesmerizing ... appeals to reason and love for humanity without resorting to easy answers. Brisk, intelligent and suspenseful all the way.

School Library Journal

A riveting story with sharply etched characters and complex relationships that will stick with readers long after the book is closed.

Awards:

A School Library Journal Best Book of 2004.

An ALA Booklist Editor's Choice Book of 2004.

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 2005.

An ALA Booklist Top Ten Mystery for Teens, 2004.

Connections:

For information about the author visit http://www.nancywerlin.com/

For information about Huntington’s Disease visit http://www.hdsa.org/

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Cover photo:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/imageviewer.asp?ean=9780142403273&imId=14566003