Gattaca

"We now have discrimination down to a science." -Vincent Freemen, from Gattaca

In a future not so far away, is a world where two parents can choose how their child will become through gene therapy. Vincent Freemen was born without gene therapy and because he has a high chance of many disabilities, he becomes an outcast. While his younger brother Anton goes on to greater and better things that he was made to have from even before birth. Though Vincent is supposedly weak, he has one dream, to go to the best space exploration station Gattaca and go to outer space and the great beyond. This story is about how Vincent achieves his dream, and how he overcomes the doubts that society and his brother have put into his mind.

This wonderful movie is beautifully made and teaches that gene therapy cannot guarantee perfection. I love how the character Vincent tells from his point of view how he feels about the society he lives in and he teaches the people around that he can be capable of extraordinary things. This movie will have you quoting it forever.

This movie is rated PG-13 for vulgar language, some brief violence, and sexuality so I would say this movie would not be appropriate for children. But it is a great movie for young adults to see.  

High school students should definitely try and see this because they are now currently learning about biotechnology including gene therapy in school.

    

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

After the destruction of Earth, Arthur Dent and his not-so-human neighbor Ford Perfect both hitchhike across the galaxy on an adventure that leads to the ultimate answer of  the most important questions; Where did we come from? Why are we here? What is our purpose in life? What is the meaning of life. Ford and Arthur meet new people and see new places and get through their adventures with the help of a special book that Ford has, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

This book is funny and clever. The characters are great and the plot is adventurous and hilarious. I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a good laugh. But behind all the laughter there is meaning to this book. Arthur Dent discovers what being human means to him and that he had taken his planet home for granted. And he becomes very grateful to have such an adventurous neighbor such as Ford Perfect.

This book is really good for most people ages 12 and older, there is so vulgar language and might be a little complicated for younger kids. Other than that it is a very clean and fun book.

If you don't already have a summer reading list I would highly recommend that you put this book on it.