Only Human; The Missing Link

Thompson, author of the ‘Switchers’ trilogy, sets herself a new challenge in this pair of novels dealing with some of the ethical dilemmas posed by the possibilities of genetic engineering and cloning of animals and people.

In The Missing Link , 13-year-old Christie and his differently-abled step-brother, Danny, set off on a long journey to find Danny’s mother and discover just what she does in her mysterious lab. They eventually achieve their aim, finding out what Danny’s ‘difference’ really is, and why the animals who help them on their way are able to talk. Many opportunities for personal growth are offered, and, while Thompson shelters her charges from too much danger, she skilfully helps them face more extreme difficulties as their journey progresses. Christie, as narrator, is more explicit about his feelings than we might expect, and helpfully so. This is very secure writing – Thompson has a strong sense of the elements the story needs for its progress, and how to introduce these economically and imaginatively. The story continues in Only Human where the boys set off once more, this time with an obsessive scientist searching for the last yeti. Once again, we are swept along by the action, but Thompson’s control is less evident here – the wider framework of ethics and the importance of personality in making big decisions perhaps demand a looser hold. The fantasy element is also given free rein, as Danny finds a tribe of mer-people and helps them identify the danger from radioactive waste.

I found these books hugely enjoyable, with many themes explored. My testers, aged 13, found the issues complex but were intrigued nonetheless, and boys and girls alike were attracted by the book covers.