Expiration Day is a new young adult novel by William Campbell Powell. It takes place in the year 2049, when the fertility rate has dropped to a disastrous level. It has dropped so far that couples have started leasing robots called teknoids designed to look, talk, and act like children. They go to school, grow up via upgrades by the corporation Oxted, and provide a child’s love for their parents. The only problem is that they are recalled to the factory by age 18.
Expiration Day is told through the journal of Tania Deeley from age 11 to 17. She goes to school surrounded by girls who may or may not be teknoids, including her best friend. The book takes us through her teen years as she learns more and more about teknoids, Oxted, and life. Although this book could be classified as a dystopian future, where many things are hidden, it is really the story of a girl growing up, dealing with the cruelties of youth, as well as the joys. Mr. Powell takes us on quite a ride as we get to know Tania, rejoice with her, grieve with her, and understand her.
Well worth the read, I suggest you pick up Expiration Day today. I, for one, could not put it down.