Delirium

Novel: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Genre: Y.A. Literature
Other works by Oliver: Before I Fall, Requiem (to be released in February 2013), Pandemonium
For more information regarding Oliver and her writing, please visit her website.

Delirium was recommended to me last semester by my Practicum mentor teacher, Wendy. She loved Oliver's novel so much, she donated a copy to the middle school's library. I was finally able to crack the pages of this novel eight months later, and I'm so glad I did!
Oliver's novel takes place in Portland, Maine which is one reason why I couldn't put it down. I was thrilled to read about the Old Port, Congress Street and the statue that is erected in Monument Square. Finally Portland, Oregon doesn't receive all the attention!
Who would have thought that in a world that is already infected and plagued by so many diseases we'd have room to add just one more? More terrifying than terminal cancer and more infectious than H1N1: love, or what the people of this new world call the deliria. All citizens of this new society are required by law to receive the cure once they reach the age of eighteen. Until the cure can be obtained, each person is doused with medical books (The Book of Shhh), revised editions of the Bible and terrifying tales that reenact the fatality, that's correct, fatality of this disease.
Leah Holoway is only ninety-five days from receiving the procedure which will secure her place in a safe, painless and predictable world. She's anxious for her chance at safety because she has the disease coursing genetically through her veins. Leah Holoway is only ninety-five days from receiving the procedure when she does the unthinkable: she falls in love. 

I would consider teaching Oliver's novel to a classroom of students. Although it's more obviously geared to young women, there are aspects of this book that young men might find engaging. Although the government boasts a safe community for its citizens, both cured and uncured, there are tremendous amounts of violence on a nearly regular basis, all of which is inflicted by the government. Also, the plot of this novel is quickly paced. You can forget the aspects of dated and cliched teenage love stories. Although this story has Romeo and Juliet peppered throughout it's pages, just remember that this version has fully automatic weapons.
There are some very interesting, conversation-starting essential questions buried among the pages of Oliver's novel:
1. What are the positive aspects of being in love? And the negative?
2. Even with the risk of utter heartbreak and tremendous amounts of unmeasurable pain, would you give up your ability to love?
3. Why would a government choose to become involved in its citizens personal lives?