Restoring Harmony by Joelle Anthony

Release Date: May 13, 2010
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Pages: 320
Review Source: Library

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
The year is 2041, and sixteen-year-old Molly McClure has lived a relatively quiet life on an isolated farming island in Canada, but when her family fears the worst may have happened to her grandparents in the US, Molly must brave the dangerous, chaotic world left after global economic collapse—one of massive oil shortages, rampant crime, and abandoned cities.

Molly is relieved to find her grandparents alive in their Portland suburb, but they’re financially ruined and practically starving. What should’ve been a quick trip turns into a full-fledged rescue mission. And when Molly witnesses something the local crime bosses wishes she hadn’t, Molly’s only way home may be to beat them at their own game. Luckily, there’s a handsome stranger who’s willing to help.

Restoring Harmony is a riveting, fast-paced dystopian tale complete with adventure and romance that readers will devour.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book, although I didn't fully connect to it, and that's why the rating is a bit lower. Molly was likable: strong, brave, caring, and smart. I liked that she was able to do things on her own, but also able to accept help from people when she knew she needed it. 'Restoring Harmony' is a dystopia, yet it doesn't have a dark tone to it. I guess the adults in the novel are a bit more bitter about their situation because they knew what it was like before the oil became government controlled, and before organized crime took control of everything. Molly and the younger generation seem to have accepted their fate to a certain extent. They don't know any different, so they feel hopeful. I think 'Restoring Harmony' would appeal to those who don't usually read dystopias because of this lighthearted tone. There are certain dangers that happen in the book, but you never really feel like horrible things could happen to the characters. Because of the genre, I almost expected (and wanted) Molly and her friends and family to try and take down The Organization, but instead, the book remains a personal narrative about Molly and her journey to bring her grandparents back to Canada. And somehow? That really does work. The book has a satisfying ending that I think most people would be happy with.

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