85 pages • 2 hours read
Joelle CharbonneauThe Testing
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2013A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Joelle Charbonneau's The Testing, 16-year-old Malencia “Cia” Vale is selected for a highly competitive and secretive process called The Testing, aiming to identify the best candidates for leadership in a post-war dystopian society. As Cia navigates brutal and life-threatening challenges, she uncovers shocking truths about The Testing and fights for survival while safeguarding the secrets that could alter her future. The book includes topics such as violence, death, and trauma.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Joelle Charbonneau's The Testing is praised for its fast-paced, gripping narrative and strong protagonist. However, some critics find its similarities to other dystopian novels and predictable plot points a drawback. Overall, it's commended for engaging young adult readers with its thrilling and thought-provoking premise.
Who Should Read The Testing?
A reader who would enjoy The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau is likely a fan of dystopian young adult fiction with high-stakes competitions and strong, relatable characters. Comparable to The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Divergent by Veronica Roth, this reader appreciates themes of survival, government control, and personal resilience.
RecommendedReading Age
12-18yearsLexile Level
830LBook Details
Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Action / Adventure
Military / War
Climate Change
Relationships
Futurism
Life/Time: The Future
Emotions/Behavior: Memory
Values/Ideas: Power & Greed