I finished the book. It was good. I remember why I liked it so much. It still rings true today. Mrs Hoover included enough description to allow the reader to imagine the world without including too much that would date it. It isn't overly optimistic or dark. The kids aren't magically insightful. It introduces a lot of complex topics without offering simplistic explanations.

This was written for young adults but I think there is a lot for any age.

Why did every 80's book look like this?

When I was 10yo I read a book from my school's library about two children, different from their peers, oppressed by the adults of the world. I moved to a new school the next year. I didn't remember the title or author but I could never forget the cover art.

I visited the old school library but couldn't describe it well enough for the librarian to identify it. I asked other libraries and specialists but never found it.

Today I asked ChatGPT

"This Time of Darkness" by H.M. Hoover 1980

Bought a strawberry cream donut from Uni Donut for my 6yo. It was ¥450. I asked her if she finished her donut.

"I didn't like it so I just licked the sugar off"

Now I have a sugar free donut covered in probiotics! It must be a very healthy donut now :-)

Warning:

Aeon credit card scam afoot. Be careful what links you click. This one is obviously not an Aeon domain even though it has Aeon in the name.