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WORK TITLE: The Ones
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE:
CITY: Los Angeles
STATE: CA
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3901135/ * http://fiercereads.com/books/the-ones/
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in New York, NY.
EDUCATION:Attended Wesleyan University and Tisch School of the Arts, New York University.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Author; 826LA, creative writing instructor. Barbaro (TV movie documentary), assistant to producer, 2009; Lions of New York (documentary short), co-producer, 2009; The Inbetweeners (TV series), actor, 2012.
WRITINGS
Author of scripts for television, including The Inbetweeners, 2012, and Club Code, 2012; author of script for video short Malibu Country/Shell Games, directed by Andrew D. Weyman, 2016. Also author of play Stress Positions, first produced at SoHo Playhouse, New York, NY. Contributor to media outlets, including; ABC, USA, MTV, and Nickelodeon.
SIDELIGHTS
Playwright Daniel Sweren-Becker’s debut novel is a young-adult dystopian fantasy called The Ones. The story tells what happens when a small select group of children—amounting to only one percent of the population and chosen by lot—grow to be teenagers and are targeted by their fellow Americans. “I read a magazine article that noted that every country has different laws and regulations about genetic engineering,” Sweren-Becker stated in an interview with Beth Edwards appearing on the YA Books Central Web site. “It struck me that very soon, there is going to be a generation of people from all over the world born with unique advantages. This is going to be insane!’ “Immediately I wanted to tell a story about the dilemma that this technology is going create in our lifetime,” the author continued in an interview on the Fiction Fare Web site. “It is clearly going to have amazing benefits, but will that be worth the inequality that comes with it?” “Very quickly,” Sweren-Becker told Edwards, “I knew I wanted to dramatize one possible version of how these developments might unfold. I think the issue of fairness is going be very difficult for humanity to figure out, and that is a theme I like to explore in all of my projects.”
The Ones features a seventeen-year-old girl named Cody and her boyfriend James, both of whom are part of the genetically-modified Ones group. The book “takes place during a time of major upheaval,” said a ReadWriteLove28 Web site reviewer. “There is an Equality Act going around that is attempting to make the playing field level for everyone. But, that’s not actually what it’s doing. It’s actually putting obstacles and hindering the Ones.” “Cody and James have been girlfriend and boyfriend for several years,” reported Maggie Knapp in School Library Journal, but “they don’t see eye to eye on the best course of action.” In reaction, stated Elizabeth Norton in Voice of Youth Advocates, “Cody joins forces with the enigmatic Kai and his underground group, the New Weathermen, to fight back.” “The only question,” wrote a Kirkus Reviews contributor, “becomes what the Ones are willing to do to stand up for their rights and how the government will respond.”
Critics found the debut novelist’s premise to be intriguing. “Sweren-Becker’s nearfuture story,” declared a Publishers Weekly reviewer, “is well-timed to tap into ongoing conversations about inequality, privilege, and extremism.” “Sweren-Becker tries hard to be the voice of reason,” wrote Shelley Romano on the Gizmo’s Reviews Web site, “but lays heavily into social justice themes of discrimination based on one’s birth, rather than one’s skin color, religion, or sexual orientation.” “I love the premise of The Ones,” stated a Book Twister Web site reviewer. “Sweren-Becker does an amazing job of weaving this sci-fi idea … into a novel that has huge themes of social injustice, racism, and radicalized fear that are so prevalent today. It starts out small, with James, Cody, and others being forced to wear special badges pointing out their status as Ones during school, but soon spirals” out of control. The novelist “did a good job in keeping things moving quickly,” Romano stated, “and in a fashion that leaves questions about what would happen in this country if genetic engineering was found to be illegal.” “I read this over two days on the beach when I was vacationing–that’s how much of a fast, rollercoaster ride of a book this was,” enthused a Book Chic Club Web site reviewer. “Overall, I would indeed recommend this book to a multitude of young adult audiences and administer it 4/5 stars in my own opinion,” said a Teen Ink Web site reviewer. “Sweren-Becker’s work is ingenious and will leave [his] readers’ eyes certainly dying for a sequel.” “For the most part,” opined a contributor to the Grand World of Books Reviews Web site, “the plot has the potential to be something pretty good.” “The main thing I took away from this is that it is quite easy to compare it to so many different groups’ struggles in our own society. With all the current turmoil in our present-day country, this book is timelier than you can imagine,” concluded a reviewer for the It Starts at Midnight Web site. “Bottom line: The Ones is a past faced, thought-provoking debut.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, July 2, 2016, review of The Ones.
Publishers Weekly, June 27, 2016, review of The Ones, p. 87.
School Library Journal, August, 2016, Maggie Knapp, review of The Ones, p 117.
Voice of Youth Advocates, October, 2016, Elizabeth Norton, review of The Ones, p. 80.
ONLINE
Book Chic Club, http://bookchicclub.blogspot.com/ (November 16, 2016), review of The Ones.
Book Twister, https://booktwisterreviews.com/ (September 6, 2016), review of The Ones.
Fiction Fare, http://www.fictionfare.com/ (August 30, 2016), author interview.
Fierce Reads, http://fiercereads.com/ (March 29, 2017), author profile.
Gizmo’s Reviews, http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/ (September 7, 2016), Shelley Romano, review of The Ones.
Grand World of Books Reviews, https://thegrandworldofbooksreviews.wordpress.com/ (September 10, 2016), review of The Ones.
Internet Movie Database, http://www.imdb.com/ (March 29, 2017), author profile.
It Starts at Midnight, https://itstartsatmidnight.com/ (September 6, 2016), review of The Ones.
ReadWriteLove28, https://readwritelove28.com/ (August 31, 2016), review of The Ones.
Teen Ink, http://www.teenink.com/ (March 28, 2017), review of The Ones.
YA Books Central, http://www.yabookscentral.com/ (September 12, 2016), Beth Edwards, “Author of the Week: Chat with Daniel Sweren-Becker (The Ones), Plus Giveaway!!”*
Daniel Sweren-Becker
Biography
Mini Bio (1)
Daniel Sweren-Becker is a writer and actor, known for The Inbetweeners (2012), Malibu Country (2012) and Lions of New York (2009).
Filmography
Jump to: Writer | Actor | Producer | Miscellaneous Crew
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2012 Malibu Country (TV Series) (written by - 1 episode)
- Shell Games (2012) ... (written by)
The Inbetweeners (TV Series) (teleplay - 1 episode, 2012) (television story - 1 episode, 2012)
- Club Code (2012) ... (teleplay) / (television story)
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2012 The Inbetweeners (TV Series)
- Club Code (2012)
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2009 Lions of New York (Documentary short) (co-producer)
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2008 Barbaro (TV Movie documentary) (assistant to producer)
DANIEL SWEREN-BECKER
Daniel Sweren-Becker is an author, television writer and playwright living in Los Angeles. He has written for ABC, USA, MTV and Nickelodeon, and his play Stress Positions premiered in New York at the SoHo Playhouse. He grew up in Manhattan, before attending Wesleyan University and NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Nowadays he tries to get to the beach as often as possible, hopes to sample every ice cream sandwich in LA, and teaches creative writing at 826LA's community center. The Ones is his debut novel.
Daniel Sweren-Becker is a New York-born, Los Angeles-based television writer, author and playwright. He honed his craft at fine institutions like New Horizons Daycare Center, The Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Wesleyan University, and NYU. His handwriting has yet to stop him.
SwerenBecker, Daniel. The Ones
Elizabeth Norton
Voice of Youth Advocates.
39.4 (Oct. 2016): p80.
COPYRIGHT 2016 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
Full Text:
2Q * 3P * S
SwerenBecker, Daniel. The Ones. Imprint/ Macmillan, 2016. 304p. $17.99. 9781250083142.
High school student Cody and her boyfriend James are Ones, part of one percent of the population chosen before birth
for genetic engineering. As Ones, everything comes easily to them. Though the one percent is chosen in a lottery
system that includes all births, some people think the genetic engineering gives the Ones an unfair advantage, and the
Supreme Court has just ruled it unconstitutional. As backlash against the Ones descends into violence, Cody joins
forces with the enigmatic Kai and his underground group, the New Weathermen, to fight back. James takes a more
pacifist view, but follows Cody after he finds out that his father is keeping a secret that might make things even worse
for the Ones.
This novel from playwright and television writer SwerenBecker relies on many wellworn tropes of the dystopian
genre. A story that promises discussion fodder about civil rights, privilege, and genetic engineering quickly descends
into a plot derived mostly from convenience. Most of the characters are underdeveloped, including Cody and both of
her love interests. Missed opportunities to create tension build to an easy ending that promises a sequel. This book
adds nothing new to a crowded genre and should be purchased only for large collections. Elizabeth Norton.
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
Norton, Elizabeth. "SwerenBecker, Daniel. The Ones." Voice of Youth Advocates, Oct. 2016, p. 80. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA467831181&it=r&asid=bafdb32e055fa3231791d64da787d4fd.
Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A467831181
3/5/2017 General OneFile Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1488753367500 2/3
The Ones
Publishers Weekly.
263.26 (June 27, 2016): p87.
COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
The Ones
Daniel SwerenBecker. Imprint, $17.99 (304p) ISBN 9781250083142
In SwerenBecker's uneven debut, one percent of the population has benefited from genetic modification at birth,
which endows the Ones, as they are called, with beauty, intelligence, and other heightened traits. Cody Bell, 16, and
her 17yearold boyfriend, James, are both Ones, and life is good in their California town until the Supreme Court
declares genetic engineering illegal. In addition, a group called the Equality Movement is taking aim at the Ones,
seeking to guarantee equal rights for all citizens. When Cody is approached by a mysterious boy named Kai, she's
drawn into the violent side of activism, and to Kai himself. Thirdperson narration switches between James and Cody,
now at odds, as James discovers that his father hides a terrifying secret. SwerenBecker's nearfuture story is welltimed
to tap into ongoing conversations about inequality, privilege, and extremism, but the book's exploration of topics
like discrimination, government oppression, and radicalization tends toward the superficial. Cody, meanwhile, turns on
a dime, making decisions that may have readers scratching their headsparticularly her continuing fascination with
Kai even after his group shows its ruthless side. Ages 15up. (Sept.)
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
"The Ones." Publishers Weekly, 27 June 2016, p. 87. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA456900994&it=r&asid=4b9a5386f5a8ee0a373166ab384851f4.
Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A456900994
3/5/2017 General OneFile Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1488753367500 3/3
SwerenBecker, Daniel. The Ones
Maggie Knapp
School Library Journal.
62.8 (Aug. 2016): p117.
COPYRIGHT 2016 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution
permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
SWERENBECKER, Daniel. The Ones. 304p. ebook available. Macmillan/Imprint. Sept. 2016. Tr $17.99. ISBN
9781250083142.
Gr 9 UpCody and James are both gennysthat's the disparaging nickname given to the one percent of the U.S.
population who were genetically engineered for superior brains, looks, and athletic skills. Popular sentiment has turned
against the social experiment, initiated by the National Institute of Health 18 years earlier. Members of the Equality
movement are using the courts and thuggish tactics to bring the Ones down. Along with a law making their very
existence illegal, there is talk of a vaccine that would reverse their genetic advantages. Though Cody and James have
been girlfriend and boyfriend for several years, they don't see eye to eye on the best course of action. Cody joins the
New Weathermen, a rebel group determined to fight for the Ones' rights to be who they were born (or made) to be.
James is less likely to rush into things, though he doesn't want to be changed, either. When a peaceful school
demonstration gets out of hand, the stakes are raised for everyone. Loose ends in tire final pages point clearly to a
sequel. The science of tire plot is thin, but the chase scenes have vivid moments. Cody loves James but is attracted to
Kai, a New Weatherman. A big reveal about Cody's identity doesn't fully add up, but that flaw doesn't seem to have
much impact on the plot. VERDICT This middleofthepack offering is suitable for high schools needing more
dystopian adventures.Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX
Knapp, Maggie
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
Knapp, Maggie. "SwerenBecker, Daniel. The Ones." School Library Journal, Aug. 2016, p. 117. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA459888431&it=r&asid=7fb2cf7f66c94e2f2e7aa82764067c54.
Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A459888431
THE ONES
by Daniel Sweren-Becker
Age Range: 14 - 18
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KIRKUS REVIEW
In a near-future America, intolerance against genetically engineered citizens takes a violent turn.
For the past 20 years, 1 percent of all babies born in America have been part of a National Institutes of Health study. Their genomes were manipulated to keep some of their parents’ traits and remove others. Known as the Ones and for some reason identically engineered to be “tall, sturdy athletes with perfect facial features,” they are now coming of age—and having a much bigger impact on society than expected. So society rebels against the Ones, and Congress passes the Equality Act. For Cody and her boyfriend, James, both Ones and both white, it means becoming second-class citizens. At least it does for James—in a nonsensical plot twist, Cody is revealed to not be a One. Yet this doesn't protect her when the peaceful protest they run at their school goes very wrong. The only question becomes what the Ones are willing to do to stand up for their rights and how the government will respond. Not that readers will care all that much, given the flat, lifeless characterization and tell-don't-show plotting. Simplistic logic doesn't come close to exploring the meaty ethical dilemma at the core of the novel. (Among other “unfair advantages” that Cody points out are not being legislated against, she includes “having a parent at home who has time to read to you” but not race.)
The interesting concept is utterly foiled by pedestrian writing. (Dystopian thriller. 14-18)
Pub Date: Sept. 6th, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-250-08314-2
Page count: 304pp
Publisher: Imprint
Review Posted Online: July 2nd, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15th, 2016
ReadWriteLove28
Blog Tour: The Ones by Daniel Sweren-Becker + Character Profile + Giveaway!
Posted August 31, 2016 by Nori in Blog Tour/ Blitzes, Book Reviews, Giveaway / 7 Comments
Blog Tour: The Ones by Daniel Sweren-Becker + Character Profile + Giveaway!The Ones by Daniel Sweren-Becker
Published by Imprint
Publication Date: September 6th 2016
Pages: 304
Purchase Links Amazon
Goodreads
Cody has always been proud of being a One. She and her boyfriend James were two of the lucky babies from the 1% of the U.S. population that were randomly selected to benefit from genetic engineering. Now, she and the rest of The Ones are excelling. They are healthy, beautiful, and talented.
They aren't otherworldly, just perfect. And to some, that's not fair. The Equality Movement, capitalizing on the growing fear and jealousy, gains political traction and actually outlaws their existence. Society shows its darker side as The Ones are marginalized.
The line between right and wrong blurs in the face of injustice and Cody becomes closer to a group of radical Ones intent on fighting back. James begins to fear just how far she is willing to go for the cause.
ARC REVIEW
When I originally saw The Ones on the Mac request list, it intrigued me. I hadn’t heard of it prior to that moment, so I was excited to find out more, and was even more excited when it arrived in my mailbox.
I started reading it, and was immediately shocked. It opens with a torture scene, which is definitely not what I was expecting. I don’t generally read books like that, so I was very confused. But, I decided to continue regardless, and I’m glad that I did.
THE ONES takes place during modern time; the only difference is that 1 in every 100 babies were given the opportunity to be genetically modified. These babies are now grown up and are called “The Ones.” The modifications make them smarter, more athletic, and prettier than most of the average humans.
This book takes place during a time of major upheaval. There is an Equality Act going around that is attempting to make the playing field level for everyone. But, that’s not actually what it’s doing. It’s actually putting obstacles and hindering The Ones and not allowing them to lead normal lives.
You know the cliche saying- one day, everything changes. Well, this story is kinda like that- except every day, something new happens that causes a major change. It’s actually insane. There are so many plot twists- I never knew what to expect.
There is a love triangle in this book, but it didn’t really stand out to me. I didn’t ship either of the romances, but ah well- no book can be absolutely perfect- right?
Overall I enjoyed The Ones and give it 4/5stars. I recommend this book to people who enjoyed Genius: The Game and/or Divergent.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
#Wednesday Review - The Ones by Daniel Sweren-Becker (Young Adult, Science Fiction) @The_Ones_byDSB @ImprintReads
Series: The Ones # 1
Format: Hardcover, 304 pages
Release Date: September 6, 2016
Publisher: Imprint
Source: Publisher
Genre:Young Adult, Science Fiction
Cody has always been proud of being a One. She and her boyfriend James were two of the lucky babies from the 1% of the U.S. population that were randomly selected to benefit from genetic engineering. Now, she and the rest of The Ones are excelling. They are healthy, beautiful, and talented. They aren't otherworldly, just perfect. And to some, that's not fair. The Equality Movement, capitalizing on the growing fear and jealousy, gains political traction and actually outlaws their existence. Society shows its darker side as The Ones are marginalized. The line between right and wrong blurs in the face of injustice and Cody becomes closer to a group of radical Ones intent on fighting back. James begins to fear just how far she is willing to go for the cause.
The Ones is the first installment in debut novelist Daniel Sweren-Beckers' new series. 16-year old Cody Bell, and her boyfriend 17-year old James Livingston are considered to be modern day miracles. They are among the first group babies to have been born perfect thanks to Genetic Engineering. Sanctioned by the National Institute of Health, one percent of the population, or 1/100 newborn babies were chosen to be genetically modified via lottery. In every way, Cody, James, and the One percenters are healthy, talented, beautiful, and have tremendous advantages over the so called normal population.
Because of this fact alone, there are those who consider it unfair to the rest of the population. The Equality Movement is so hateful and spiteful towards the one percenters who were given no voice in how they were born, that their case ends up in the Supreme Court which hands down a stunning decision to make genetic engineering illegal.
The decision sends shock waves throughout the rest of the country and sets off a series of events that will lead to unimaginable heart breaking choices being made by Cody and James in order to fight back against bigotry, racism, and intentional incarceration of innocent people.
For Cody, she finds a group called The New Weatherman who are at their very core, terrorists just like the original group from the 1960's. They are not willing to go quite into the night without making some major noise first. You can argue with me over semantics, but when you pick up arms and make threats against others, you are in fact a terrorist. For Cody, this is a personal choice after learning a shocking secret that upsets everything that she's learned. Even though this book alternates narratives, Cody is the most appealing in my opinion. Her world has been laid at the foundation of one thing, only to be shattered by the hopes of a mother looking for the best for her only child.
One can definitely say that Sweren-Becker tries hard to be the voice of reason, but lays heavily into social justice themes of discrimination based on one's birth, rather than one's skin color, religion, or sexual orientation. This is a hard road to travel and yet Sweren-Becker did a good job in keeping things moving quickly, and in a fashion that leaves questions about what would happen in this country if genetic engineering was found to be illegal. After all, the rich in this country have a huge monetary benefit at their disposal and can pick and choose what characteristics their babies are born with. Just ask Kim Kardashian.
One last point. Sweren-Becker dives into a hard topic. That topic is being forced into camps just because one is different, or are now enemies of the state. In the US, we've gone down this road under two different Democratic Presidents. Woodrow Wilson, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. German, Japanese, and Italian Americans, like my descendants, found themselves in these camps even though they were innocent. So much for the 4th Amendment. Wilson even signed the Sedition Act which made it a crime to criticize the government and took away civil liberties of anyone who criticized his administration. Can you imagine all the people who would be sent to camps in today's society?
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Hi, I'm Shelley, an avid book reader from Florida by way of New York. I read and review books of MOST GENRE's for my own personal gratification and don't mind if people disagree with my assessment as long as they respect me. I love receiving book recommendations from my friends, and authors, and appreciate when I'm lucky enough to receive an ARC before release. I consider myself lucky enough that people actually stop by and read my reviews.
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By MephistopheleanGraceThis teenager is a 'regular' and has contributed a lot of work, comments and/or forum posts, and has received many votes and high ratings over a long period of time., Whitehall, PA
I never knew that being so different and unique could have such deadly consequences. Being uniform to everyone else, might just preserve your life in Daniel Sweren-Becker's book The Ones.
In The Ones, the protagonist, Cody, and her beloved James are two of the very minute population of people called "Ones". The Ones are one percent of the human population that has benefited from genetic engineering to grow up healthy, attractive, and gifted. Due to the "unfair advantages" these Ones have, the Supreme court has come to a jurisdiction to isolate the Ones and turn them into second-class citizens. They were treated as objects and not human beings. The Ones were forced to do work, just because they have these so called "advantages". Although, when society releases its cruel impulses towards the Ones, Cody decides to fight back, and her otrage leads her to a radical group of Ones called the Weathermen. Kai, the undeclared leader of the Weathermen, has the same view and rage Cody has toward the goverment, and wants to fight back as well. While Cody is figuring out a way to fight, James has been grappling with his own ordeal, and the very deep, dark secret his father has been keeping.
The author's way of presenting his work is the utmost of perfection. The novel goes into such depth at examinig characters, the readers feels as if these people are real. The author attributes the schema people require so they are capable of relating and generating connections between themselves and the characters. One particular instance with Cody left me in complete awe and shock and made me want to dive into the next chapter. The descriptions will pull you forward and drag your eyes across each and every page so you are able to know every possible detail.
The story is told in third person omnicient and gives the reader all the emotions of the main characters Cody and James. In my own personal opinion, I find that third person works are a challenge and hassle to read since the reader is unable to solely connect to one person, and feel as though they are the main character in the book. Millions of others would agree with this comment, and I suggest changing the format so it is first person for all chapters, but change points of view for each chapter with Cody and James.
Furthermore, there is an error in only one spot at the fourth paragraph on page 164 in the fourth sentence. Also, some of the vocabulary in the book is a bit to advanced for an everyday reader, and left me rereading many of the sentences to use context clues to understand what a particular word actually meant. I suggest going over your work at adjusting a few of the advanced words. Lastly, I must address the cover and how it does not do the novel justice. The Ones are a special kind of person, and this cover, isn't.
Overall, I would indeed recommend this book to a multitude of young adult audiences and administer it 4/5 stars in my own opinion. Sweren-Becker's work is ingenius and will leave its readers' eyes certainly dying for a sequel due to the gargantuan cliff hanger at the end of the novel, The Ones.
Review: The Ones, by Daniel Sweren-Becker
Posted on September 10, 2016 by The Grand World of Books
I would like to thank Imprint Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
In the interest of full disclosure, I chose to DNF this book at 59%. I really, really tried to overcome my dislike of this book, but in the end, I just could not get over the problems that kept building up for me.
From the start, the story felt flat for me, but I try not to judge too much based on that, because I’ve read a lot of excellent books that had somewhat lackluster beginnings. However, in continuing on with the story, the story only got less believable for me, rather than improving.
The thing is, it’s not actually the plot itself that made it unbelievable, because for the most part, the plot has the potential to be something pretty good. I mean, mankind decides to genetically engineer these perfect human beings based on a lottery system, making 1% of the population genetically modified. Then, 15+ years down the road, mankind decides it is freaked out by what it has done, and puts into place laws against this 1% of the population, effectively rendering them “less” than their “normal” counterparts. Aforementioned 1% of the population, in response to this treatment fights back, probably wins the day, and everybody lives happily ever after. I don’t know…I didn’t read the whole book, but that’s how I imagine it should go.
However, in The Ones, the plot is executed in such a way that it is very flat. The characters don’t interact with each other well, in my estimation. And, the worst part is, that in an attempt to make The Ones “less” one of the teenagers gets waterboarded under one of the laws put into effect…with the agent performing the torture telling her that it is an “advanced interrogation technique” rather than torture.
I’m sorry, but waterboarding a teenager was really the last straw for me with this book. It would be one thing to read about waterboarding in a book where torture was kind of the main theme…though I don’t read those books, so I can’t think of a good example right off hand. But in a book like this, it was shocking and, to my mind, uncalled for.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I am never compensated for my reviews.
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All things news, updates, giveaways, and other goodies on Young Adult (and Kids!) Books Central.
Author Of The Week: Chat with Daniel Sweren-Becker (The Ones), Plus Giveaway!!
Monday, 12 September 2016
Beth Edwards, Assistant Blog Manager
Welcome to our weekly special feature post, Author Of The Week!!
Each week we will be interviewing a different YA author and highlighting their upcoming release!
We will also be hosting a giveaway of the book we are highlighting!!
Introducing Daniel Sweren-Becker, YABC's Author of the Week!!
Daniel Sweren-Becker is an author, television writer and playwright living in Los Angeles. He has written for ABC, USA, MTV and Nickelodeon, and his play Stress Positions premiered in New York at the SoHo Playhouse. He grew up in Manhattan, before attending Wesleyan University and NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Nowadays he tries to get to the beach as often as possible, hopes to sample every ice cream sandwich in LA, and teaches creative writing at 826LA's community center. The Ones is his debut novel.
Meet The Ones!!
Cody has always been proud of being a One. She and her boyfriend James were two of the lucky babies from the 1% of the U.S. population that were randomly selected to benefit from genetic engineering. Now, she and the rest of The Ones are excelling. They are healthy, beautiful, and talented. They aren't otherworldly, just perfect. And to some, that's not fair. The Equality Movement, capitalizing on the growing fear and jealousy, gains political traction and actually outlaws their existence. Society shows its darker side as The Ones are marginalized. The line between right and wrong blurs in the face of injustice and Cody becomes closer to a group of radical Ones intent on fighting back. James begins to fear just how far she is willing to go for the cause.
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
I read a magazine article that noted that every country has different laws and regulations about genetic engineering. It struck me that very soon, there is going to be a generation of people from all over the world born with unique advantages. This is going to be insane!
Very quickly, I knew I wanted to dramatize one possible version of how these developments might unfold. I think the issue of fairness is going be very difficult for humanity to figure out, and that is a theme I like to explore in all of my projects. And then against that broader backdrop, I was excited to write about how this technology is going to affect people on an individual basis.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
Cody, of course! I don't want to spoil anything, but she has a unique ability to understand the issue of genetic engineering from both sides. It was a challenge to put myself in her shoes and offer a reasonable perspective on something that the rest of the characters are so divided over. Hopefully when this happens in the real world, we can all look to Cody as a guide for handling it in a mature way.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
The scene when The List comes out was very exciting for me. It feels like a moment that guarantees a wild ride is about to begin, and even if you don’t know where it’s going to lead, you immediately want to buckle up for all the twists and turns.
YABC: Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you've learned as a writer from then to now?
Planning before you start the writing process is everything. My goal is to have such a clear outline that if I got struck down my lightening in the middle of writing, anyone else could finish the book. And hopefully they would dedicate it to me.
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
It scares me, not in a visceral way, but as reminder about how powerful technology is and how easily it can be used in sinister ways.
YABC: What was your favorite book in 2015?
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, by Elizabeth Kolbert. A great non-fiction book about how our planet is falling apart. I recommend for anyone looking for that warm end-of-the-world feeling.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
Hopefully turn this book into a movie! I come from a screenwriting background, so as much fun as it was to get this story down on paper, it feels like the last step is seeing it in motion on a big screen.
I just finished the sequel to The Ones, which I think people will enjoy. And I have another contemporary YA series I am just starting. The protagonist is going to begin the story in an absolutely impossible dilemma, which I think is always a great place to start.
YABC: Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?
I’d rather revise standing on a bed of nails than draft on a Hawaiian beach. With drafting the possibilities are endless. I love to revise because it’s very satisfying and lot easier to make something – a sentence, a chapter, whatever – just one percent better. And if you’re revising, that means you got to the end already!
YABC: What would you say is your superpower?
I never forget a face. There should a CBS show about me.
YABC: Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?
I do a lot of volunteering with the 826 organization, which was founded by author Dave Eggers to foster creative writing programs in inner cities. Working with young kids to create wild stories every week has been a cool reminder that we all have that instinct within us. We always have and we always will.
The Ones
By: Daniel Sweren-Becker
Publisher: Imprint/Macmillian
Release Date: September 6, 2016
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Wednesday, November 16, 2016
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The Ones by Daniel Sweren-Becker
"We are not all created equal.
Seventeen-year-old Cody and her boyfriend, James, were two of the lucky ones randomly selected before birth to receive genetic engineering.
Known as the Ones, this one percent of the population is healthy, beautiful, and talented…and to some that's not fair. Mounting fear and jealousy of the Ones’ success leads to the creation of the Equality Movement, which quickly gains enough political traction to demote Cody, James, and others like them to second-class citizens.
Cody knows even before the brick smashes through her window that it's going to be bad. As their school, the government, and even family and friends turn against them, Cody begins to believe they have no other choice but to protect their own. She draws closer to a group of radical Ones led by the passionate and fevered Kai, and James begins to question just how far she is willing to go for the cause…"- summary from Amazon
This was a really great, quick thrilling read set in a fairly realistic setting with some dystopian overtures. I read this over two days on the beach when I was vacationing- that's how much of a fast, rollercoaster ride of a book this was. I never finish books that quickly but I could barely put the book down. I was however a little disappointed that this was the beginning of a series; nothing on the book indicated this was part of a series so I went in thinking it was a stand-alone and then toward the end of the book, realizing there's no way this could all end in the amount of pages left. I'll definitely check out the rest of the series though because I'm completely hooked.
FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.
Posted by BookChic at 12:00 AM
Labels: Review
Book Review: ‘The Ones’ by Daniel Sweren-Becker
September 6, 2016 Holly Reviews
Book Review: ‘The Ones’ by Daniel Sweren-BeckerThe Ones by Daniel Sweren-Becker
Series: The Ones #1
Published by Imprint on September 6, 2016
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 304
Format: ARC, Kindle Edition
Source: Review Copy
Goodreads
3 Stars
Cody has always been proud of being a One.
She and her boyfriend James were two of the lucky babies from the 1% of the U.S. population that were randomly selected to benefit from genetic engineering. Now, she and the rest of The Ones are excelling. They are healthy, beautiful, and talented. They aren't otherworldly, just perfect. And to some, that's not fair.
The Equality Movement, capitalizing on the growing fear and jealousy, gains political traction and actually outlaws their existence. Society shows its darker side as The Ones are marginalized. The line between right and wrong blurs in the face of injustice and Cody becomes closer to a group of radical Ones intent on fighting back. James begins to fear just how far she is willing to go for the cause.
Who knew that The Ones by Daniel Sweren-Becker could make genetic engineering and today’s social issues could go hand-in-hand? Not me, and yet that’s exactly what this science fiction read managed to do. And I loved it and loathed it all at once.
Let’s take a step back. Sweren-Becker has created a world where the genetic modification of humans, by combining the best DNA of two parents to create a higher-than-average child, is no longer such a farfetched idea. Enter Cody and James, two children chosen before birth to become “Ones,” each one of 100 babies chosen for the DNA modification. Fast forward a few years, and the Supreme Court has ruled that The Ones have unfair advantages over regular society, and from there The Equality Movement gains traction, and The Ones begin to feel the heat of what being different can actually mean.
I love the premise of The Ones. Sweren-Becker does an amazing job of weaving this sci-fi idea, which really isn’t so out of this world, into a novel that has huge themes of social injustice, racism, and radicalized fear that are so prevalent today. It starts out small, with James, Cody, and others being forced to wear special badges pointing out their status as Ones during school, but soon spirals into ridiculous circumstances that are not so far removed from American history. I honestly think The Ones is an amazing way to start a conversation with a younger audience about these social issues, and I think Sweren-Becker does a truly fantastic job making this situations feel real.
And I have to say that I love the differences between James and Cody. I love that they fall on such opposite sides in respect to handling how the government and citizens are reacting to the Ones. I love that I believe they represent the opposing sides of people directly involved in today’s social justice issues. James is the peacemaker, Cody is the justice-seeker. James wants to think, Cody wants to act. They balance each other out, which I think is great for The Ones, even if Cody did get on my nerves more than once in the novel.
But even though I loved the message within The Ones, and am eagerly awaiting the next novel (because CLIFFHANGER), I will say that had James not been included in the story, I might have given up on the novel before it really began. As one of the main characters, I often found Cody to be super unlikable, mainly because she felt very wishy-washy. I thought she was going to be this driving force and instead she gets drawn into blindly following a highly untrustworthy character, and Cody just felt like she had more backbone than that at the beginning of The Ones. My hope, as a reader, is that she grows in the second novel and gets the spark back that I saw at the beginning of The Ones.
Overall, if you’re looking for a realistic piece of YA science fiction, I think you’ll find Sweren-Becker’s The Ones a worthwhile read.
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
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Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for The Ones by Daniel Sweren-Becker! Today, I shall share a playlist that I came up with to go with the book, and a few little thoughts of my own about it- so that you get where the playlist is coming from, of course! Plus, I like to share.
The Ones by Daniel Sweren-Becker
Series: The Ones #1
Published by Imprint on September 6th 2016
Pages: 304
Format:ARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review
Goodreads• Amazon • Book Depository
Cody has always been proud of being a One. She and her boyfriend James were two of the lucky babies from the 1% of the U.S. population that were randomly selected to benefit from genetic engineering. Now, she and the rest of The Ones are excelling. They are healthy, beautiful, and talented. They aren't otherworldly, just perfect. And to some, that's not fair. The Equality Movement, capitalizing on the growing fear and jealousy, gains political traction and actually outlaws their existence. Society shows its darker side as The Ones are marginalized. The line between right and wrong blurs in the face of injustice and Cody becomes closer to a group of radical Ones intent on fighting back. James begins to fear just how far she is willing to go for the cause.
My Playlist
reviews2
Look, this book had me from “dystopia”. You know I love it. Can’t get enough of it. So obviously I needed to read it! It’s actually set not that far in the future, and is crazy plausible. “Designer babies” are already a thing that happens, so this isn’t really that hard to imagine. Nor is it hard to imagine that anyone feeling threatened by the new crop of genetically modified folks would be up in arms, especially as they reached adulthood and started competing in colleges, the job market, etc.
The story follows Cody and her boyfriend James, who have been quite successful (though also hardworking) in academics and athletics. When the backlash against The Ones begins, they have very different strategies on how to deal with it. James wants to keep his head down and just keep doing his thing while trying to ignore those who want to oppress him. Cody, meanwhile, will take none of this lying down. She’s a fighter, it’s clear. James is mostly just worried about Cody doing something that will hurt her, and his escalating problems with his family.
I really felt for them both- on one hand, as much I would want to say I’d be like Cody, fighting for what is right… how many of us really do? The quietly oppressed like James would likely be the majority. They were both great characters, and I felt for their plights equally.
This story was incredibly readable, quick, and full of action. I breezed through it, eager to know what was happening, and why it was happening. There are a few things that I felt were a bit unbelievable, even in a technologically advanced society. Some of the science seemed a little too convenient for the plot, but that was really the only issue I had with the book.
The main thing I took away from this is that it is quite easy to compare it to so many different groups’ struggles in our own society. With all the current turmoil in our present-day country, this book is timelier than you can imagine. The parallels to things happening right now are uncanny, and I loved how it is all mirrored in the issues facing Cody, James, the other Ones, and society at large who has to decide: What will their legacy be? What will they stand for?
Bottom Line: The Ones is a past faced, thought-provoking debut that has an eerie basis in our current societal landscape. Add to it some relatable characters, and great twists, and it makes a book I didn’t want to put down!
4s
About Daniel Sweren-Becker
Daniel Sweren-Becker is an author, television writer and playwright living in Los Angeles. He has written for ABC, USA, MTV and Nickelodeon, and his play Stress Positions premiered in New York at the SoHo Playhouse. He grew up in Manhattan, before attending Wesleyan University and NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Nowadays he tries to get to the beach as often as possible, hopes to sample every ice cream sandwich in LA, and teaches creative writing at 826LA's community center. The Ones is his debut novel.
Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram
Check out the other tour stops for more fun!!
August 30th: http://fictionfare.blogspot.com/ (Author Interview)
August 31st: http://www.readwritelove28.com (Character Profile – Kai)
September 1st: http://takemeawaytoagreatread.com/ (Mood Board)
September 2nd: http://www.swoonyboyspodcast.com (Fan Dream Cast)
September 3rd: http://bookbriefs.blogspot.com/ (Character Profile – James)
September 4th: http://lilisreflections.blogspot.com/ (Guest Post)
September 5th: http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com (Character Profile – Taryn)
September 6th: http://cuts-of-paper.blogspot.com/ (Character Profile- Cody)
September 7th: http://itstartsatmidnight.com/ (Playlist)
Do you like books that, even though they aren’t set in contemporary society, manage to have very relevant messages? What is the last book you’ve read like that?
And hey, do you like any of these songs? This is my very first bookish playlist (not including the ones I make in my head for The 100), so I am excited about it!
Posted September 7, 2016 by Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight in Blog Tour, Music, Review / 25
The Ones by Daniel Sweren-Becker Blog Tour
August 30, 2016 by Jaime 0 Comments
The Ones by Daniel Sweren-Becker Blog Tour
We are incredibly excited to share an interview with you from the author of THE ONES! But first, a bit about the book!
The Ones by Daniel Sweren-Becker Blog TourThe Ones by Daniel Sweren-Becker
(Twitter, Goodreads)Published by Macmillan on September 6th 2016
Genres: Action & Adventure, General, Science Fiction, Thrillers & Suspense, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Add This Book to Your Goodreads TBR
Cody has always been proud of being a One. She and her boyfriend James were two of the lucky babies from the 1% of the U.S. population that were randomly selected to benefit from genetic engineering. Now, she and the rest of The Ones are excelling. They are healthy, beautiful, and talented. They aren't otherworldly, just perfect. And to some, that's not fair. The Equality Movement, capitalizing on the growing fear and jealousy, gains political traction and actually outlaws their existence. Society shows its darker side as The Ones are marginalized. The line between right and wrong blurs in the face of injustice and Cody becomes closer to a group of radical Ones intent on fighting back. James begins to fear just how far she is willing to go for the cause.
Describe The Ones in 5 words.
Genetic Engineering, fair or foul?
How did the idea for The Ones come about…was it an idea, a character that invaded your brain, or something else entirely?
I read an article about genetic engineering that mentioned how every country has different rules. That’s crazy, right? Immediately I wanted to tell a story about the dilemma that this technology is going create in our lifetime. It is clearly going to have amazing benefits, but will that be worth the inequality that comes with it?
Were there any scenes that had to be cut in the editing process that you wish would have made it into the final print?
I honestly can’t remember. The weird thing about writing a book, for me at least, is how important you think everything is in each draft. When your editor wants you to change something, you think it will ruin the book. And then the next draft gets done and you can hardly remember the “essential” thing that got removed. If only I could remember that…
Did any of your characters surprise you by doing something you didn’t expect?
For sure. I think that James has the most surprising arc. The decisions he makes at the end of the book, not just with his actions, but with his emotional choices in regard to his family, really surprised me. I never imagined he would end up being that brave.
No spoilers but if you had to pick only one, what would you say was your favorite scene to write in The Ones?
The last one, of course! It meant I was unshackled from my desk and free to see the sky again! But my second favorite was the moment that Cody finds out the crucial secret about her identity. When I was writing that scene I could feel all the energy for the rest of story and the other characters come together and ignite – it really shot me forward in a thrilling way.
Do you have any writing habits or are there any odd things that you need in order to sit down and write?
I have a kind of beneficial procrastinating habit in that I’d rather clean my entire house before I start writing. Other weird habits: I need to use an external mouse for my laptop; need to have a bouncy ball to throw against the wall; need to know what I am eating for lunch.
What books have you recently read or are you currently reading?
A recent YA book that I really enjoyed was Denton Little’s Deathdate, by Lance Rubin. It is a great dark comedy with some cool conspiracy elements too. Right now I’m in the middle of Barbarian Days, by William Finnegan. Pretty fun to live vicariously through his crazy surfing stories.
What are you working on now?
I am about to finish the sequel to The Ones, which will be out next fall. I’ve been walking around dying to tell everyone what happens to these characters, but I guess I should probably let them read for themselves. And as soon as I’m done, I’ve got another YA series ready to be written – I can’t wait to get started because the protagonist in this story is in a position that I feel like is truly impossible to handle. It should make for some fun writing.
Favorites
Favorite Song (right now) — Fool for Love, by Lord Huron
Favorite Book (right now) — Lonesome Dove (now and always)
Favorite TV Show/Movie — Veep
Favorite Word — Gallivant
Favorite Color — Blue
Favorite Curse Word – Asshat
This or That
Coffee or Tea – Tea, as in iced, as in Snapple
E-books or Real Books – Real, forever.
Cake or Pie – Pie, blueberry, a la mode
Dogs or Cats – Dogs, big ones
Tattoos or No Tattoos – None, so far
Beer or Wine – Beer, cold.
About Daniel Sweren-Becker
Daniel Sweren-Becker is an author, television writer and playwright living in Los Angeles. He has written for ABC, USA, MTV and Nickelodeon, and his play Stress Positions premiered in New York at the SoHo Playhouse. He grew up in Manhattan, before attending Wesleyan University and NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Nowadays he tries to get to the beach as often as possible, hopes to sample every ice cream sandwich in LA, and teaches creative writing at 826LA's community center. The Ones is his debut novel.