Feed

Anderson, M. (2002). Feed. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

A feed: “a data format used for providing users with frequently updated content”. Anderson paints a sci-fi world in which people travel in upcars through tubes, visit other planets for vacation and send messages and chat from their mind as an everyday occurrence. Tittus lives in the future of America. An implanted feed with instantaneous information, social networking and shopping are readily available. The feeds are tailored to his thoughts and emotions. Most everyone has a feed implanted when they are very young. He is a typical teenager worried only with friends, parities and fun until one spring break while partying on the Moon. He meets Violet. She is different, and they are drawn to one another. She challenges his views and protests the feeds. But protesting the feeds comes at a price. Her feed begins to malfunction causing her health to decline. Even though Titus is experiencing love for the first time, he struggles to understand Violet’s views concerning the destructive control the feed posses. Titus struggles with how to process and respond by thinking critically, because he has never had to do that before. He breaks up with her and tries to move on. Violet’s percentage of functionality continues to decline, and Titus realizes he needs to be at her side comforting her until the end. The style and language Anderson uses in writing Feed will appeal to high school age boys. The technology driven world, bromance relationships and coming of age emotions will allow this audience to connect, relate and be entertained.