Release Date: April 26, 2011
Age Group: Young Adult
Received From: Publisher & NetGalley
IBSN: 9780061962745
Blurb:
When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society.
Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job.
Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.
When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.
I’m not sure where to begin with this review. I think I will start out with my only complaint. Might as well get it out of the way, because I loved the rest of the book! My one issue is that it was Confusing! (With a capital C) But once I got used to the slang and the strange new world I had no problems with it what so ever! By at least 50 pages in I wasn’t lost anymore. So please, if you find it confusing in the beginning, stick with it! It’s worth it in the end.
I discovered Megan McCafferty’s Jessica Darling series recently, and I fell head over heels for them! But, be warned Bumped is nothing like those books! Just because you love one doesn’t mean you will love the other. This book is all about the extreme end of things. Melody and Harmony both represent a different side. Melody has been raised and conditioned all her life to be a pro, to make babies for other people for money. Harmony has been raised in a fanatical religious community where getting married at 13 is the norm. They are two completely different girls, but at the same time they are suffering from the same kind of pressure and influence from their elders.
I’m not going to talk about my likes or dislikes of each girl, like I normally would. Partly because I liked both of them, but mostly because the girls themselves aren’t what stands out in this book. It’s the situations they are in, and the strange world that is so normal to them. I think that a lot of people will either love or hate this book. It deals subtly and not so subtly with issues that push people’s buttons. I think a lot of parents are going to take offense to this book. There will be shouts of ‘This book supports teen pregnancy!’ but if you have a brain at all you will clearly see that it does the exact opposite.
I ask that you read this book and see for yourself which side you will fall on. The love side or the hate side. Even if you dislike it I guarantee that it will be unlike any book you have ever read before and it will definitely give you some things to think about.
ps. Sequel? Yes? Hopefully? Please!?
Don't worry, it says on Goodreads that a sequel is in the works.
Megan has said there will only be two books total.
I'm reading it right now and I have got to say while I don't hate it, I'm not loving it but I am willing to finish it before I pass judgement. It definately does not support teen pregnancy but it is very sexual for a YA book.
NC
Truly Bookish
I am so curious on this one.. Really need to read it
It sounds very different from anything else 
I think.. Great review.
Lori, your review is the first one I have I seen that was so positive about this book. Everyone mentions the confusing aspect, but I think that has a lot to do with dystopian novels. I was prepared to skip this one, but I trust your opinion and will have to make up my own mind now. Thanks for the review.
I've got Bumped through net galley but I'm finding it really hard to get through because of the confusion. I think also my experience with it is being affected by the fact I'm reading it on the computer so I'll give it more chance when I get the kindle this month. I did an interview with the author and she says there's definitely a sequel in the works but the series will stop at that. Thanks for the thoughtful and honest review, Lori!
I read it and fell squarely on the hate side, mostly for the overuse of slang and confusing aspects.
http://www.workadayreads.com/2011/03/bumped.html
Glad to see you liked it. I , however, wasn't much of a fan.
Great review!
-Mocha from A Cupcake and A Latte.
I recently read a negative review of this written in the slang from the book and I gotta say, that kind of put me on the fence about this one. However I know I had been really excited about it before and since you enjoyed it so much, I'll give it a try. Thanks for the review.
~Briana
P.S. Sloppy Firsts has been sitting on my shelves forever. Really need to read it. lol.
Lori, can you please elaborate a bit on what place the Church has in the novel? Is it important part of the story?
As I read the Author's interview on presentinglenore blog and Megan McCafferty said that "The Church in BUMPED is a fictional amalgamation of faiths, but is primarily inspired by the Amish"
Interested to know what you think,
~ Sorilla
I actually went into this book thinking I wouldn't like it because of the reviews I'd read (negative AND positive) but after I got used to the slang and how things worked it really grew on me. Megan is a really talented writer and I had an easy time picturing everything REALLY well once I had the world figured out a bit better.
I did an interview with her and she did say there's a second book.
I completely agree with your review. The language is completely disorienting for a while, but honestly I don't think the book would have quite the same overwhelming impact without it. I'm sure there's going to be a lot outrage about this book because satire goes STRAIGHT OVER some people's heads, but even if you hate it, this book is worth reading, in my opinion. Fantastic review!
i've heard awesome things about this book and your review doesnt disappoint! I can wait to start reading bumped! i just got approved in netgalley so im really excited!
either way, great review! thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Diana
Great review Lori! I am really looking forward to reading this one!
Thanks for the review. I really need to get my hands on a copy.
I've heard so many things about this book. I'm going to add it to my to read shelf. I'm just gutted that I missed the giveaway for it! *facepalm* Thanks for the review Lori
Jessica