Graduation Day – October 6, 2015

Graduation Day (The Testing) Paperback – October 6, 2015
Author: Visit ‘s Joelle Charbonneau Page ID: 0544541200

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 UpCia Vale, the girl who survived the Testing, vows to join the rebel alliance fighting against the United Commonwealth. But who will follow her? And who can be trusted?

–This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

New university student Cia overhears a plot that will not only strengthen the controversial testing that permits students entry to the university but also will result in the governments overthrow. When she shares details with United Commonwealth President Collindar, she is tasked with killing 12 important government officials to stop the plot. But is it the right thing to do? Although this first-person narrative is burdened with repetitious introspection, it also builds to a satisfyingly tense climax before a final clever authorial twist subverts the story. Readers should start with The Testing (2013) and Independent Study (2014) to get the necessary backstory for this series ender. Grades 7-10. –Cindy Welch

–This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Age Range: 12 and up Grade Level: 7 and upSeries: The Testing (Book 3)Paperback: 304 pagesPublisher: HMH Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (October 6, 2015)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0544541200ISBN-13: 978-0544541207 Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.2 inches Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Best Sellers Rank: #7,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #4 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Social & Family Issues > Violence #6 in Books > Children’s Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Difficult Discussions > Violence #22 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Social & Family Issues > Values & Virtues
Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau is the third and final book in The Testing trilogy. It continues the story of Cia Vale, survivor of the brutal University entrance exam known as TheTesting, University student and rebel as she attempts to end The Testing. i have enjoyed both previous books and enjoyed reading the ending of the story.

What I liked

The protagonist. I really liked Cia as a YA protagonist. She has her head on her shoulders and gives great consideration to the consequences of her actions. She’s very much of the watch and wait mould. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t take action, but she doesn’t act without thinking. These character traits are what lead to her central position in the drama. The story would have played very differently with a Katniss Everdeen or a Tris Prior as the protagonist.

The themes. The theme of Testing is continued throughout the series. This is continued in Graduation Day when Cia must test the loyalty of those she wishes to have as allies, and she herself continues to be tested in more ways that one as she seeks to end the horrific University entrance exam. Trust is also a major theme in Graduation Day as Cia must decide whom to place her trust.

The pacing. The pacing kept moving along briskly and kept me turning the pages.

What I didn’t like

Mockingjay. Two leaders, one rebel, one elected, both telling two different stories. Teen heroine must work out which of them is telling the truth and the future of her society rests on her decision. Sound familiar? In my review of The Testing I commented that it had similar themes and plot points to The Hunger Games, and I’m seeing the same in the final book of the series.
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