Going Green

Going Green #1

by Heather S. Ransom

In the future, the color of your skin lets everyone know who you are. Those who can contribute to making the world a better place are Green, walking GMOs with plant chloroplasts in their cells who no longer need to eat. Life is good. People are happy.

Well, ...some people.
Not everyone gets to “go Green.”

Calyssa Brentwood, a high school senior just finished with her cellular enhancement, is on her way to securing her place in the upper ranks of society. Until she finds herself far from the safety of Sci-City,
...on a farm,
...in the middle of a rebel insurgency.

Realizing that nothing is as simple as it seems, Lyssa soon discovers that each choice brings new consequences
...ones that may turn deadly for those she cares about most.

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction

321 pages, Paperback

Published March 21, 2017

About the author

Life as a middle school science teacher for twenty-four years has allowed me an intimate look into the minds of thousands of young adults, most of whom are desperate to find their place in a society constantly changing around them. Many have found escape, ideas for facing challenges, or simply hope for a future where they can make a difference, through reading. So every year, even though I'm teaching science, I have my classes read. And we imagine together what our futures might hold, telling stories about advances in technology that could change our world.

I grew up in a family that loved stories. My mom told incredible, fanciful adventures where I, along with my brother and sister, lived in a pond with tadpoles, or traveled across the dusty hills as Native Americans, or howled at the moon with the coyotes. As my mom told these stories, I became the character. I felt the water moving through my gills as I swam with Wally Wadpole. I tasted the dust in my mouth while riding my horse, Many Moons, on the hunt to bring back food to my tribe. I heard the coyotes calling me to come play, long after the stories were over. I fell in love with a good story, one that immersed me in a world that felt so real I never wanted to leave. This is what I hope to bring to my readers.

When not teaching or writing, I enjoy spending time with the man of my dreams, Marv, and our two absolutely amazing adult kids, Danielle and Marvin. Living in Grants Pass, Oregon, affords me the luxury of ample opportunities in the amazing outdoors, as well as helping out at our local businesses, a pizza pub and cigar shop.

Every day brings a new adventure. Dream the dream you want, then find the way to make it happen.

Reviews

[Karen Eisenbrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This appealing young-adult novel begins in the shallow end, with high school girls giggling and squealing about the latest development in protagonist Calyssa's life. From there, it dives deep into issues of class privilege, inequality, and genetic modification in a high-tech post-post-apocalyptic future where the chosen elite get to “go Green.” Calyssa is near the beginning of this process, which enhances humans with modified chloroplasts so they can make energy from sunlight, water and air, freeing up the time that would be spent finding, preparing, and eating food. Green citizens are supposed to use this time making the world a better place, while non-Greens do the necessary grunt work to support them. Meanwhile, anti-GMO rebels are attacking experimental crops outside the safe enclave of SciCity.

Although Calyssa has sympathy for the poor, deprived non-Greens, she believes the party line that those who aren't chosen must be less intelligent, less deserving than Greens. A sudden change in Spring Break plans puts her in the home of a friend whose non-Green farming family reveals a side of the class divide she'd never considered. A week with these kind, down-to-earth folk changes her mind about a lot of things—including her friend's handsome, intelligent brother Gabe. Can love between Green and non-Green survive as tensions heat up between extremists on both sides? The book ends before we find out, but an epilogue hints at sequels yet to come.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[enne ✰ (inactive) · Rating 3 out of 5]

let me start off by saying i got the pleasure to meet Heather (the author of this book), which is when i got a free signed copy, and she was so sweet! she's such a nice person!!
unfortunetly i didnt love this book though, which i feel really bad about because heather was so great!! i feel like the book was just very amaturely written, and the plot confused me, it didnt even really pick up until towards the end, and it was just kind of a mess. the first half of the book was four stars though! the second half was two stars sadly.
again i really wanted to like this but it just wasn't it for me.
the characters, on the other hand, were so silly!! (in a great way though). so i liked that!!
it just felt like a poorly written book, which is a shame because i loved the story idea!!
anyway Heather if you see this, you probably don't remember me because my name is different, but I want you to know that I thought you were such an amazing person, this book just wasn't for me, I'm sorry!!
anyway, basically this was a cute book that was just poorly executed.
okay thats all! bye bye~

[Mikko Azul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, tense and timely! I loved this book! Going Green pushes the envelope of scientific exploration, bigotry and greed. Ultimately, this riveting and complex story demonstrates our need to grow up, take responsibility for our decisions  and realize that doing the right thing for love is always the correct action to take regardless of the bottom line.Mikko Azul

[Kurt Clopton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heather Ransom has created a fantastic world in her book. I love the premise, and what it says about the human race (sadly), that they can escape annihilation but manage to get back to the same backwards attitudes. But there's hope...

[Micayla Lally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ransom has created a wonderfully imperfect world with characters striving for perfection in their own way. She combines high school crushes with real world concerns, "I didn't even need any tech!" A timely reminder for all of us.
Going Green is reminiscent of The Hunger Games and as such, I'm dying for the next instalment.

[booksofallkinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a future where the human population almost died out because of a virus destroying all of the earth's plant life, scientists and researchers saved the planet by changing humans, or enhancing them, into something more, something special. This process is known as Going Green due to the physical changes involved and is considered to be the ultimate goal - to go green, join the upper echelons of Sci-City, and devote your life to technology and development. For those who cannot afford to have the enhancement procedure, a tougher future lies ahead, where they are ridiculed and deemed as drones, or worse they may join the rebel forces who fight against Sci-City and all that it stands for.
Calyssa Brentwood has waited for the day that her eyes would change colour and the changing process would begin. Finally, she is going to be green and maybe now she will fit in with her father and sister. Maybe now she will feel more comfortable in her own skin. But when a mix-up over spring break finds Calyssa staying out of the city with Ana and her brother Gabe Stayton, life will never be the same for her again. At the farm where everything is done the old way before technology took over, Calyssa begins to find a peace that she never thought possible, and witnessing the love that flourishes in the Stayton home, she cannot help but feel envious of their closeness. But as danger enters their countryside idyll, Calyssa begins to realise that maybe her entire life has been a lie - what if those in power in Sci-City are not as honest as they appear? What if the rebels have genuine reasons to stand together and fight? And as her independence and confidence grow, Calyssa cannot help the feelings that are growing for Gabe, who is so much more than a drone. But with a powerful father and a deeper, darker, threat on the horizon, will Calyssa be brave enough to take a chance and risk it all?

GOING GREEN by Heather S. Ransom is a gripping and addictive dystopian novel that hooked me instantly and kept me riveted to the very last page. With characters that are so much more than what they initially appear to be and a unique and engaging plot, GOING GREEN is a Young Adult novel like no other. The pace is perfect, and the scientific elements of the story fascinating, and I really cannot wait for more from Calyssa and Sci-City. An excellent read!

*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher (Not A Pipe Publishing)

[Jeaux Bartlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought-provoking read about the sci-fi possibilities of what might happen if GMOs went wild and humans underwent genetic modification to be able to absorb energy from the sun and turn it into their own food. Told from the point of view of Calyssa a relatable, even if sheltered and privileged, teen, the book explores what might happen if we created two classes of society - those who go green and those who can't or don't want to - the power struggles between them and the potential for everything to go wrong.
The plot moved more slowly than I'd anticipated, but the characters were interesting, and I rooted for Calyssa to come to the dawning realization that perhaps everything in her world wasn't what it seemed.
I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a high school teacher, and I am constantly looking for books to recommend to my students. One thing that I actually look for is realistic characters that are both flawed and relatable - characters that I think my students can relate to in some way.

What I personally like about Going Green is that fact that the main character, Calyssa, grows over the course of the story. She is both likable and very real; she seems like any teenage girl you could meet in a school who struggles with dealing with her family and friends, and trying to find her place in the world.

Something else that I like is that Ransom creates a very realistic, scientifically possible world. With all the concerns about science and how it is progressing, this story line is very relevant to our world today. The concerns about how far science may go hearken back to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and many other 'classic' Science Fiction / Speculative Fiction authors, and it is fascinating to see how contemporary authors continue the questioning of "What would happen if..."

The only part that I did not like was thew fact that the story ended before I wanted it to - I hope that this is going to be the start of a series and is not a stand alone book. I personally want to know more about the characters and how the world is going to continue to develop.

Overall, I think this is a fantastic book for both middle and high school age readers and will be picking up copies for my classroom library.

[Benjamin Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure which impresses me more, how relevant this book is to contemporary issues, or how much fun it is to read!

[Jessica Jesinghaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teen angst, disillusionment & discovery

Calyssa, or Lyssa to her friends, has just turned 18. She lives in SciCity, a bastion of hope and progress decades after a virus called PK nearly wiped out all plant life on earth. Her family was among the scientific leaders responsible for the breakthroughs which saved humanity and brought them back from the brink. In this new world, tech reigns supreme and genetic modification (a blending of human DNA with plant) which causes people to ‘go Green’ is the ultimate symbol of your status, intelligence, and worth. Lyssa has just undergone the ‘enhancement’ and in a few weeks she’ll be fully Green and her life will be perfect! But a series of events sees her spending her spring break with an acquaintance from school and her non-Green family on a farm far removed from the technology and glitz of SciCity.

What ensues is a wholesome journey of self discovery. Lyssa has always been tolerant of non-Greens, in a way many of her friends are not, yet over the course of her week at the farm she really begins to question the rhetoric she’s been fed her entire life.

What starts out as an apparently straightforward teen sci-fi tale quickly morphs into a commentary on the importance of questioning authority. With undercurrents of racial & class equality, government corruption & neglect, and the morality of genetic modification ’Going Green’ quickly becomes something of a rallying cry for social justice.

Lyssa has some big discoveries & tough choices to make. This is definitely a YA title, replete with teen drama, angst, and more eye rolls than I cared to count. I may have been looking for a little more depth from the characters, but Lyssa is still a heroine worth rooting for. All in all I found this to be a highly entertaining read and am fully invested in the rest of the trilogy.

[MariH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going Green is a fun and relevant read. The thought of a future where the people are green is strangely not that far fetched. As my son pointed out (he's a Science Guy who loved this book) the world of genetic engineering is getting closer to that possibility every day. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a little science with their science fiction and. We are both looking forward to the next book.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going Green may be geared towards young adult readers, but that didn’t make it any less appealing to this 40-something young at heart reader! The story line is especially significant with current events, and will make you really think about those issues from both sides of the fence. It was a very well balanced story, full of drama, excitement, romance, and politically charged situations that left me wanting a sequel the moment I put it down. Heather Ransom has some serious literary chops, as well as a fantastic imagination. I can already envision this story playing out on the big screen, and will be first in line to buy a ticket!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Going Green. It is a very engaging book about a high school senior, Calyssa Brentwood. She lives in a future society where the ultimate goal is to be green. Being green was the way you became part of an elite society. If you could not afford the enhancement procedure, you were an outcast. It seemed that everything was wonderful for people of Sci-City, if they were green. WE learn that not everything is always as wonderful as it seems! I highly recommend this book, and I am looking forward to a sequel.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going Green is a great science fiction read with a very contemporary feel. The author is a bonafide science teacher, so the "science" is authentic and enlightening, but it's also a coming-of-age story where the heroine Calyssa has to grapple with bullying, parental loss, sibling rivalry, and burgeoning romance. It's a fun, fast, and informative read for teens and young adults … and even not so young adults!

[Rick Cook, Author · Rating 5 out of 5]

• TITLE: “A Wonderful Sci-Fi Tale About Personal Growth and Perspective Shifting”
• A heart-warming, crisply written YA story with a “soft sci-fi” background about a young woman (18 years old) on the cusp of making a major decision in her life: “going green”; a.k.a., having her cells switch to using chlorophyll to produce the energy her body needs, rather than relying upon food produced at the expense of plants and expanding her carbon footprint. Plus, there’s a deadly virus that’s wiped out a lot of plant life, so there’s even less food to go around. Sounds like a reasonable, scientific alternative, right? Yes… and no; it depends upon how far it’s taken. Without giving away more spoilers, this is the central conflict in the book. I’ve not read a sci-fi book with such a concept in place either, so I found the idea intriguing. It’s “soft sci-fi” in that the author doesn’t get into the science all that much, but instead (smartly!) focuses on how this new technology can divide people if you let it.
• The story has real dialogue between teens and is often funny. It certainly reminded me of high school. I chuckled a lot and LOL’d quite a few times, enjoying the banter between the characters very much. I especially loved the sarcastic quips between characters and the inner monologue of the main character, Calyssa. It made for some funny and memorable moments. As an author myself, I think I can learn a lot from Ransom’s use of character dialogue; it was well done and very real.
• The plot moved along quite nicely and always kept my interest. Ransom gives just enough character description and detail to go beyond a cardboard character, but not so much that the story suffers. In short, her pacing is excellent.
• Thematically speaking, it was especially nice to see how the main character “Lyssa” changes her preconceptions about those choosing to not “go Green.” About a third of the way into the book, Lyssa is forced to move out of her comfort zone, and there, she learns about the real world, coming face-to-face (or human-to-cow? sorry, inside joke…) about how wrong she is about many things, and that her arrogance & limited worldly knowledge might be a debilitating factor in her life. It’s about learning and growing beyond the “group think” culture around you.
• The book has wonderful, solid themes throughout, such as tackling cliques, self-doubt, prejudice, the dangers of arrogance & judging people too quickly, the loss of a parent (beautifully done in parallel with Lyssa’s love interest and his family), expanding one’s perspective, forming relationships, and—best of all—how important family is. As Lyssa is the daughter of a very powerful and well-known man, several people are jealous of Lyssa’s position in society (and somewhat at school). This jealousy is echoed by Ana, a girl Lyssa meets about one-third of the way into the book. The bonding of Lyssa and Ana (as well as with Gabe) is the heart of this book, and the book does NOT disappoint!
• For all that Lyssa has and knows, she slowly comes to realize that she has so much more to learn. This is a valuable lesson for every reader, young or old. Lyssa’s personality exemplifies good traits that all people should embrace, namely being honest, unafraid to grow and express yourself, being observant, and questioning whether your friends really are friends beyond just a superficial surface.
• I loved reading this book and learning about the characters and how they interact. As the plots accelerated toward the book’s conclusion, I simply could not put it down and tore through the remaining 70 or so pages at lightning speed to see how it all ended. The conclusion was satisfying and left the door wide open for a sequel, which I am buying today! This is a great book, especially for a YA reader.

[Michelle Beer · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Sang Kromah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This timely and relevant dystopian novel hooks you instantly. The novel takes place in a future, where the human population has almost died out because of a virus that has destroyed all of the Earth’s plant life.

Because of this, scientists have come up with a way to save the planet by enhancing humans into hybrids. The process is called Going Green due to the physical changes involved and is considered to be the ultimate goal – to go green, join the upper echelons of Sci-City, and devote your life to technology and development. For those who cannot afford to have the enhancement procedure, a tougher future lies ahead, where they are ridiculed and deemed as drones, or worse they may join the rebel forces who fight against Sci-City and all that it stands for.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going Green is fast-paced and fun, with an environmental twist. Heather Ransom draws us into a world where humans go green in order to survive. But the genetic enhancements create a separate class of humans, and spurs on rebels, fighting for a life free from modification. Calyssa finds herself drawn into the growing unrest as she falls for an unmodified human who shows her that there is more to life than her enhancements. The first book in this series drives towards a conclusion that is all too real, and reminds us what it means to be human. How far would you go to save the planet? And what would you do to save yourself? Ransom considers these questions while giving us characters we can connect with and a story that leaves us on the edge of our seats. Going Green is sure to leave you wanting more from this debut author. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

How much of who we are is nature vs nurture? In a not so far future, nature, nurture, and genetic enhancements help shape how one high-schooler, Calyssa Brentwood, filters her world. How do these factors influence her decisions and how she navigates in and out of her social circles? This book is a fantastic read, with a blend of real world science, and what ifs that seem totally possible. Young adults will relate to being torn between family, friends, and discovering their guiding principles. Going Green is action packed while emphasizing the importance of empathy, an open mind, and an open heart.

[Doranne Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heather Ransom has written an amazing young adult futuristic novel. I had a hard time putting it down; she shares on so many levels, including life as a teenager with adventure and a little romance. I enjoyed her dialogue and lovely descriptions; she gives us a glimpse of lives from the past, present, and future. She presents a cautionary message but with hope. When was the last time you sat down to a dinner, with a non-GMO home-cooked meal, and shared about your day with family and friends?

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Going Green
Author: Heather S. Ransom

Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 21
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 21 readers:
18 would read another book by this author.
17 thought the cover was good or excellent.
16 felt it was easy to follow.
18 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
12 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
20 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
18 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
‘The best word to describe this is ‘gripping’ or possibly ‘intense’. I thought it was a well-written book with characters I loved.’ Girl, aged 15
‘This is a solid dystopian novel for teenagers. It’s a saga of sorts with a little love and a little danger – no, a lot of danger. I read the second book too but which is actually even better.’ Girl, aged 16
‘SciCity is really well described. I think I might be slightly in love with Gabe. It seems to mirror the world we live in with class divide and the moral problems of modifying genetics. I suspect this author knows science really well or did a lot of research for this book.’ Girl, aged 17
‘Tons of twists in this fantasy thriller for YA. I think the green element and how it all works is very clever.’ Boy, aged 14

To Sum It Up:
‘A complex YA dystopian novel full of exciting twists and turns. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[Sydney Culpepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fun, scientific book takes you on a journey to a world where people have chloroplasts in their cells and rebellion in their hearts. When the book starts, we see the world through Calyssa's "green"-colored glasses, where the ultimate privilege is to become a walking GMO. Then you no longer have to eat, and you can spend your time working on ways to better society. Some people don't want to "go Green," and others can't afford it, but it's voluntary anyway. Sounds pretty good, right?

Wrong. As the story progresses, it quickly becomes clear that all is not as it seems. Between the government's stance and the rebel group's story, something doesn't quite add up. Conspiracies and lies are revealed, and the truth is as clear as a muddy river. As Calyssa and her new friends get caught in the crosshairs between the government and the rebels during what was supposed to be a simple spring break, Calyssa's whole worldview shifts, and she must decide what to fight for.

[Kyle Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! Heather has built an incredible world and I’m excited this is the reader’s first step into it. The story of a teenager trying to find her way in a world divided by GMOs, corporations, and class it’s very refreshing take on loss of innocence in a world that might look like utopia on the surface but is definitely not. There is no clear hero versus villain, which is what I loved. We see all sides of the struggle through Calyssa and watch her world view evolve. I can’t wait to see where Heather takes this story next and I have a feeling Going Green is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this intriguing world and story. Well done and highly recommend!

[Erin Riha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ransom has crafted a colorful, furturistic world that feels remarkably prescient. The characters are vivid and their relationships are relatable. What really sets this science fiction dystopia apart is the meticulous detail the author, a science teacher herself, has incorporated to build the world of SciCity and its surrounding environs. It is this authenticity that makes it such a compelling read.

[Oliver Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going Green has beautifully written characters and interactions set in a politically rich world. It follows the realistic portrayal of a privileged teenage girl and her life as a "Green". With so many wonderfully written characters and a wonderful concept, it's a shame that many of the interactions and plot points seemed forced or unnecessary. I look forward to reading the sequel to see how Heather S. Ransom fixes these issues in Greener.

[Anne Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for YA readers and even older readers who want to understand their children and grandchildren's world. It has messages about the consequences of following the crowd, developing a moral compass and individuating from parental authority. The author is a hip junior high science teacher and she nails the high school culture and dialogue.

[Colleen 📚BookLover❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book I had to read for a class so I was not excited for it but then after I got in some chapters I was loving it. It had Drama Romance some action and some others all put in at a small teen book not one of the books that are like 10,000 page long so that was a lot of fun.

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going Green is a great book with a very intriguing story! I loved the details and the creativity, and as someone who tries to be as "natural" as possible, I loved and appreciated the concept. It was very neat to see the farm through Calyssa's eyes, but also a little frightening considering that her life isn't too far from what our future could hold down the road. I have read others describing it as "all too real," and I definitely agree!

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I started reading this book and hated it at the beginning. I hated every single character inclouding Calyssa. I somehow managed to force myself to continue reading and I am glad I did because I really started to get into the plot, relationships, and characters. In the end, I left the book with a deep need for a sequel that I will read very soon.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone and even if you don't really like the story at the beginning keep reading cause I promise you it is gonna be worth it.

[Ariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE THIS TRILOGY! 💚