46. The Bar Code Tattoo by Suzanne Weyn

The Bar Code Tattoo by Suzanne Weyn
ISBN: 0429395623
Point Thriller, New York, 2004
250 pages

Teaser: What would you do if the law required you to have a barcode tattooed on your wrist containing all of your financial, medical, and genetic information?

Summary: Kayla's life is crumbling around her. Though she is a talented artist, she has been told that no art school will accept her due to her poor computer skills. This is only the tip of the iceberg. The barcode tattoo is the biggest thing, and all 17 year olds, are getting it. The barcode contains all of your financial information, identification, and even your medical insurance. With a barcode you don't need to carry cards, everything is just a swipe of your arm away. Kayla thinks the barcode is creepy, and has no plans to get one after her birthday. Then Kayla's father commits suicide, and her mother blames the tattoo. As Kayla looks for the truth, she discovers that the barcode tattoo contains more than just your identification, medical insurance, and financial information. It also contains a breakdown of your genetic code, and those with undesirable traits or predispositions to illnesses are suddenly fired from their jobs, turned down for loans, and their barcode credit no longer valid at stores. As Kayla delves into the secrets contained within the barcode, a law is passed making it mandatory for all people over 17 to have the barcode tattoo. Kayla's mother snaps, and in an attempt to burn off her own tattoo, sets their house on fire. While Kayla survives, her mother does not. Fearful of being forced to get the barcode tattoo, Kayla goes on the run. Eventually she ends up in the Adirondack mountains with a group of others who do not wish to get the barcode tattoo. The book ends with Kayla resolving to stop hiding and fight against the barcode tattoo.

Evaluation: Creepy and surreal, this book shows a chilling future that we could easily slide into. At the same time, genetics, cloning, and genetic manipulation are much more advanced in this book than they currently are. In the book the US still bans cloning, but a mention of clones in other countries turning 17 indicates that human cloning is possible in this book, and has been for nearly twenty years. Genetic splicing is also briefly mentioned. The action is gripping and fast paced, making it hard to put down this book.

Unfortunately, the characters are a little shallow, and at more than one point I was a little skeptical of some of the situations, events, or science. Legislation also moves too rapidly to be believable, but that can be overlooked as a possible futuristic change. The Bar Code Tattoo also ends without any major resolution of the key issues, but as this is the first of two books, that isn't really a problem. It does set up a solid foundation for the second book, and leaves readers wanting to find the next book to see what happens.

Challenge issues and age recommendation: Cloning may be a controversial issue for some, and while it is only briefly mentioned in this volume, it is a major part of the sequel. Suicide and self-mutilation are frequently mentioned in the book, as a number of people become suicidal, paranoid, and mentally ill after receiving the tattoo, or attempt to remove the tattoo by burning it off or using acid to eat away the tattoo. Mentions of violence are also present. Overall, the book is no more explicit than the evening news, and I think that it would be appropriate for anyone 12 and up.