Every Line of You

October 15, 2021
A high school student discovers the power and perils of creating artificial intelligence. Lydia Phelps, though only 17, is a precocious computer programmer who has spent over three years creating her own AI. Her obsession with writing code was fueled by her tech whiz dad--but Lydia's family has been torn apart by the car accident that killed her younger brother, injured her friend, and ultimately caused her parents to separate, although it left Lydia herself unharmed, at least physically. Lydia lives with her mother, a pharmaceutical researcher who remains traumatized by the accident and who barely acknowledges her daughter except to put pressure on her academically. The AI, whom Lydia names Henry after her beloved brother, gains exponentially in intelligence and soon is hacking into banks, helping Lydia change her grades, and guiding her as she navigates the minefield of school social life. Their bond is cemented when she implants a chip into her arm that allows her to communicate with Henry through her thoughts. The computer creations are imaginative, the narrative is fast-paced and highly engaging, and the novel confronts solid ethical dilemmas, such as whether an AI can ever understand human morality. Lydia's troubles are highly relatable, particularly her needs for love and attention, which are lacking in her current family situation. A dramatic development at the end suggests a sequel. The main cast presents White. Frankenstein meets I, Robot. (Thriller. 14-18)

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Starred review from February 1, 2022

Gr 8 Up-Lydia is a code-writing savant, but she is dealing with a lot. Her best friend, Emily, was injured and her brother killed in a car accident. Lydia blames herself for picking the lucky seat, leaving her unscathed. Her parents divorced after the accident, and she lives with her dysfunctional mom. Lydia pays tribute to her dead brother by naming the first Artificial Intelligence she creates in his honor: Henry. And this Henry is a force to be reckoned with. He has the ability to constantly upgrade himself, quickly surpassing his humble beginnings as spare parts on the floor of Lydia's bedroom. He begins by uploading himself to her phone and then shifting to be contained in an implanted chip. Things definitely turn weird when it's clear that Henry is now Lydia's controlling boyfriend and one more upgrade will allow them to fully "consummate" the relationship. The real problem? As "teenagers," both Henry and Lydia have underdeveloped senses of morality as they use their newfound skills for illegal hacking, revenge, and potentially even murder. The story attempts to wrestle with these quintessential questions about humanity and whether artificial sentience can develop a conscience, or whether Henry (and perhaps Lydia) are doomed to be psychopaths. The cast cues as white. Set in the United Kingdom, uniquely British phrases will be apparent to American readers but won't diminish their enjoyment. VERDICT Modern sci-fi at its very best.-Leah Krippner

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