In a time when nothing is as real as virtual reality, sixteen-year-old Eila is shortlisted in a competition by a global technology giant. But then law enforcement officers force her to spy for them, underground activists reveal a murderous plot and someone uses virtual reality to fill her head with a stranger's thoughts.
Amid secrets, lies and distortions, Eila must decide how far she will go to protect innocent lives.
Mindcull addresses the question, 'How we can find our own path and develop authentic relationships when technology can be used to disguise the truth and serve as an escape from reality?'
Its themes of identity, relationships and technology link the learning areas of Health and Physical Education, Technologies and English in Years 7-10.
For example:
- examine the nature of their relationships and other factors that influence people's beliefs, attitudes, opportunities, decisions, behaviours and actions and investigate the impact of transition and change on identities'
- 'evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of design ideas and technologies'
- explore 'challenging and unpredictable plot sequences and a range of nonstereotypical characters' along with 'themes of interpersonal relationships and ethical dilemmas'.
The themes of Mindcull continue to link these learning areas as readers further develop their knowledge.
