Candor

By Pam Bachorz

In the model community of Candor, Florida, every teen wants to be like Oscar Banks. The son of the town's founder, Oscar earns straight As and is student-body president.

But Oscar has a secret. He knows that parents bring their teens to Candor to make them respectful, perfect, and compliant through subliminal messages that carefully correct and control their behavior. And Oscar's built a business sabotaging his father's scheme with messages of his own.

After all, who would ever suspect the perfect Oscar Banks? Then he meets Nia, the girl he can't stand to see changed. Saving Nia means losing her forever. Keeping her in Candor, Oscar risks exposure... and more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lerner Publishing
• Release date: Aug 1, 2009
• ISBN: 9781606841167

Pam Bachorz

Pam Bachorz grew up in a small town in the Adirondack foothills, where she participated in every performance group and avoided any threat of athletic activity, unless it involved wearing sequined headpieces and treading water. With a little persuasion she will belt out tunes from "The Music Man" and "The Fantasticks", but she knows better than to play cello in public anymore. Pam attended college in Boston and finally decided she was finished after earning four degrees: a BS in Journalism, a BA in Environmental Science, a Masters in Library Science and an MBA. Her mother is not happy that Pam's degrees are stored under her bed. Pam draws inspiration from the places she knows best: she wrote CANDOR while living in a Florida planned community, and set DROUGHT in the woods where she spent her summers as a child. She currently lives in the metropolitan New Jersey area with her husband and their son. When she's not writing, working or parenting, Pam likes to read books not aimed at her age group, go to museums and theater performances, and watch far too much television. She even goes jogging. Reluctantly.

Book preview

boy.

CA-CHUNK, CA-CHUNK, CA-CHUNK.

The sound drifts through my bedroom window. Pokes through my homework haze. It’s not loud, but it’s impossible to ignore. Because it doesn’t belong here.

Ca-chunk, ca-chunk, ca-chunk.

Candor sounds the same every night. Hissing sprinklers. Screeching swamp frogs. The drone of the mosquito truck, circling every block.

This doesn’t fit.

Ca-chunk, ca-chunk, ca-chunk.

It’s getting louder now. I roll back my chair and stand up. There’s time for a quick expedition outside. Homework can wait for five minutes. Or more, if this is something interesting.

But one of Dad’s Messages streams into my brain. Academics are the key to success. Makes my knees lock and my feet weigh a hundred pounds. I’m not going anywhere.

There’s homework to do.

The Messages stay filed away until you’re about to do something interesting. Your brain knows what to feed you: a Message rushes into your head. Covers everything else. No desire. No fear. No hunger, even. I sit again and open my bio book.

Another one flows in. Studying is your top priority.

Got it, I say out loud, like my brain is a separate person. You can shut up now.

Other people don’t notice when a Message fills their head. But I’ve been here longer than anyone. And I’ve found ways to train myself. I know when my brain is feeding me Messages. I know how to fight them.

When it’s worth it.

But tonight there is homework to do. A lot of homework. I stare at my book. Krebs Citric Acid Cycle. Anyone who memorizes it gets fifteen bonus points on the midterm. That should make my score 115. I excel at bio. Like everything.

Ca-chunk, ca-chunk, ca-chunk.

I trace my finger over the cycle diagram. Isocitrate goes to oxalosuccinate. The words roll around the surface of my brain.

Now I hear a new sound. Rattle-rattle-rattle. It’s familiar. But what is it?

It wouldn’t hurt to take a peek. I flick up one of the wood blind slats above my desk.

I see a row of houses lined up five feet from the sidewalk, each with cozy-lit porches and lush flowerbeds. The broad sidewalk is lined with white picket fences. Plastic fences—they never need painting or termite treatments. Everybody is inside, where they’re supposed to be.

Except the girl on the sidewalk. She’s bent over. Her arms are bare. Long hair spills over her shoulders and shines in the porch lights.

It’s Thursday night. Nobody is supposed to be out. It’s time for flash cards, and extra credit, and college essays if there’s time. Nobody would want to be out. The Messages make sure of that.

Maybe she’s new. Maybe she’s a potential client for me.

It’s been boring lately. I haven’t had a playmate in months—fewer people are moving in, and the ones who come lack funds. It’s hard to fight being perfect 24/7. I need a release, even if it’s something small.

Most of my clients come to Candor with goodies. I make sure they share with me. But right now all I’ve got is Sherman. He’s loaded with the green stuff, but tiresome. He didn’t even bring a single dirty magazine when his family moved here.

Sure, I have a girlfriend. But she’s so buttoned up, I only keep her as a part of my disguise.

I’m the model Candor boy—a son to brag about. Proof that the Messages work. That’s what everyone thinks. Even my dad.

He doesn’t know it’s all an act. That I’ve built my own business, a business that makes his customers very unhappy. It’s strictly boutique, for a select few. Not many can afford me.

Maybe this girl will.

Never waste our natural resources. I pull the chain on my desk light. Sometimes it’s not worth fighting.

More Messages try to push in. They tell me to stay. Study. Avoid distractions. I close my eyes and imagine a wall in my brain. It’s made of steel. No cracks for the Messages to seep in.

It’s just one of the ways I fight, and it took years to get good at.

Tonight it works. My head is almost silent. But there are thuds behind the wall. Eventually something will break through.

She’s standing up when I get outside. Tall, with plenty of curves to stare at.

Who are you? I blurt out.

Stupid. I sound like an idiot. Totally out of control.

A one-sided smile lights up her face, but it’s gone fast. Nobody you should care about.

I stare down at her feet. Scuffed combat boots. Rolled-up camis. And a skateboard under one foot.

Ca-chunk, ca-chunk. The sound of a skateboard crossing the sidewalk cracks. Something you never hear in Candor.

Dad hates skateboards—says they’re dangerous and destructive. My brother, Winston, used to ride one—before he died being stupid. The Messages make sure everybody else’s kids are careful. Kids toss their boards right after they move in.

You must be new, I say.

Let’s see. She pastes a fake-looking smile on her face. Her voice is overly enthusiastic. We moved in on Friday. From Boston. No, I don’t love it here. No, I don’t want to join the debate team or service club or any other little group you’re a part of. And I could care less what you got on your SATs.

She’s the opposite of nice. But I like hearing someone say what she really thinks.

You think you’re too good for the rest of us? I say.

She snaps open her mouth and locks her green eyes onto mine. But then she shrugs and looks away. Never hold yourself above others, she mutters.

That’s a Message. Not surprising, if she’s been here six days. What’s amazing is that she’s still mostly not Candor.

Not that she’ll make it past two weeks. Nobody does.

Not unless I get them out. That’s my business. I get new kids out of Candor before they’ve changed. Back to the real world. It’s not cheap, but it’s the best deal of their lives.

I wonder if she’s got easy access to cash. I also wonder if she’s wearing a bra.

You rich? I ask. With her, I don’t have to bother with Candor fakeness.

We’ve got enough. She looks past me, down the sidewalk. Restless.

Come inside. We have lemonade, I say.

I hate lemonade.

We have water. And coffee. Really expensive coffee. My father’s only vice.

Not thirsty. She plants one foot in the middle of her board.

Whatever. I have to go anyway. I’ve got bio. And French. And, of course, civics. Stupid mouth. Why won’t you stop talking? I sound like I care if she goes. Which I don’t. Not much. It’s not like I need her money. There’s plenty tucked away.

Then I spot something in her hand. A cylinder, shiny, with an orange cap. Is that spray paint?

She gives me big eyes, like she’s never seen it before. How’d that get there?

You stole it, didn’t you? Thieves are excellent clients. Plenty of cash and toys, and they’re always useful on the outside. My clients owe me for life. And I collect.

I didn’t steal it. I … bought it.

Liar. Nobody sells spray paint in Candor.

Fine. I found it on a construction site. It’s half gone anyway. She lifts it and gives it a shake. Rattle-rattle-rattle.

The other mystery sound.

Let me watch. She seems like the graffiti type—not that I’ve ever seen one before.

Candor is a graffiti-virgin town.

This could be a historic moment.

Why do you want to watch? Does Daddy need a full report? She laughs. Its girly, light sound doesn’t fit with the combat goth-teen look.

Do you even know who my father is?

Those green eyes sweep over me and away.

"Sure. And I know who you are. The famous Oscar Banks. She spreads her arms wide, like an announcer on a stage. Tall, tidy, and handsome. Debate-team captain. Valedictorian. Future savior of the free world."

She thinks I’m handsome. I knew this girl was smart.

You want an autograph? I shoot her my best just-kidding smile, but she’s not looking. What’s your name, anyway?

Like I said, don’t waste your time. Her lips twist like she’s tasted something sour.

That’s fine. I can look her up in Dad’s files and get the scoop on whatever she did to land here. Look at her family’s credit report.

Right now, I want entertainment. Let’s go paint something. But a Message flows into my brain. Keep Candor beautiful. It knows what I want to do and pushes my feet backward, toward the house.

Not now, I say. Then I shake my head. Not you, I tell her.

Get lost, crazy boy.

I fight the Message. Build my wall. I want to be near someone who isn’t perfect, doing something she isn’t supposed to do.

If you ditch me, I’ll tell my dad, I say. And he’ll tell your parents.

It makes me sound like I’m six, but it’ll work on any kid who’s lived here a few days.

So what? She moves like she’s going to roll away, like she doesn’t care about getting in trouble. Like she’s different from all the other kids here.

But then her leg drops back to the pavement. She sighs. Always strive to make your parents proud.

Nobody escapes the Messages.

Not that kids understand what’s happening. Dad warns their parents never to tell. Children don’t understand, he says. They’ll get angry. Resistant. It could take longer for the Messages to soak in. It’s not like the adults, who can’t wait for the Messages to make them—and their less-than-perfect children—new and improved.

I guess he has a point. I found out and I’ve been fighting them ever since.

She rolls a little closer. Please don’t tell.

I won’t if you let me come.

She snorts. "Like you’d do anything bad. You’re just like the rest of them. You’re the king of the rest of them."

My facade fools her, just like everyone else. That should make me proud. Instead a flush crawls over the back of my neck. I want to prove her wrong.

Our eyes meet. There’s something, just for a second. Something that makes her smile. Something that makes my stomach flip.

I reach across her body. Our chests touch for a second. And then I’ve got the paint can.

I sprint down the sidewalk. I’m not sure where I’m going, except that it’s away. Away from my father and the Krebs cycle and being the perfect Oscar Banks.

Just in case someone looks outside, I jam the can under my shirt. Always be ready for just in case.

She’s on her board now, rolling next to me. Give it back, she says.

No way. I pat the hard metal under my shirt. It wants to be free.

The Messages are crowding into my brain, trying to correct me before I’m a bad boy. Vandalism is wrong. Never deface someone else’s property.

Just because I hear them doesn’t mean I have to obey. That’s what makes me different from the others.

I don’t know if I’ll win this time. If I’ll get to do something I want and the Messages don’t. But I’m going to try.

There’s a streetlight out on the corner of Persimmon and Longview. Unusual. The street crew will have it fixed before dusk tomorrow—or sooner. A guy with a lightbulb and unquestioning obedience to my father could show up any second.

This will have to be fast. I whip out the paint.

The girl grinds her skateboard to a stop.

Don’t waste it. Her voice is loud. I need that.

It’s mine now. I uncap the paint and survey my options. The streetlight post? A slick section of fence? The grass?

I press down the button and there’s a hissing sound. I’m doing it—making a big orange streak on the post, defacing property. Breaking rules.

My mouth splits into a huge grin. I can taste the tang of the paint.

But the Messages scream in my brain. Badbadbad.

I stuff them back. Swing the can wide.

It feels good.

THE NEW MESSAGE is waiting when I walk into school the next morning. That’s very bad news for me.

Music is playing from the round white speakers in the ceilings, as always. Today’s classical piano. The teachers say the music helps us concentrate, but it’s chockful-o’-Messages.

Today the music has a new one.

Tell someone if you know who painted the graffiti.

It floats on top of all my thoughts, bobbing, reminding, not going away. My feet want to take me to the nearest teacher. My mouth wants to spill out the truth. I did it, I’d say.

But I won’t. If Dad found out, he’d send me to the Listening Room, where they take the hard cases and wipe their brains clear. Fill them with nutritious delicious Messages. All my years of fighting would be for nothing.

I picture the steel wall in my brain sliding down like a garage door. The Message is trapped. It can’t get me. I can barely hear it behind all that metal.

The quiet in my brain gives me space to think. I realize I have to find the skateboarding girl—now, before she obeys the new Message.

But my girlfriend finds me first.

Did you hear the news? Mandi’s blue eyes are open wide. She’s holding a clipboard. There’s graffiti everywhere.

A tall girl turns the corner ahead of us. Swingy ponytail, pink cardigan, white sneakers. No, definitely not her.

It’s a quarter to seven, fifteen minutes before first period. Soon skateboarding girl will be locked behind one door and me behind another. She’ll have forty-five minutes for that Message to sink in.

The halls are full of kids putting their backpacks in lockers with no locks. No worries about theft or secrets here. Kids talk, but it’s quiet, like the boring cocktail parties my parents used to have in Chicago. It smells like oranges—tile cleaner—and whole-grain waffles. Healthy breakfasts make for smart minds.

Oscar Banks, my man. A short boy wearing a button-down and leather loafers—white socks—claps me on the shoulder. Care to join us for chess club after school?

I have never seen this kid in my life.

Or maybe I’ve seen fifty of them, and they all blend together.

Mandi lets out a loud sigh and taps her clipboard with her pen. She thinks she owns me, which is better than chess boy owning me, at least.

Gosh darn, I have to study. I sure wish I could make it.

Nobody’s an outcast here. The Messages make sure of that. So there are still cliques—like the science nerds, the super studiers, the nutrition freaks—but they all recruit like they get a prize every time a new person sits at their lunch table.

They all want me. I only say yes to an invite when my reputation needs feeding—just enough to keep the Oscar Banks persona alive.

No need to say yes today.

Chess makes your brain more agile. He taps his head and raises his eyebrows like we’re sharing a secret. And if people see you play, we’ll get more joiners than the debate team.

Next time for sure.

Mandi taps the board with her pen. Rap-rap-rap. Pause. Rap-rap-rap. Christopher, would you please excuse us? Oscar and I have something to discuss.

Chess boy skitters away, but a boy wearing a physics club T-shirt steps in the space he left behind. Mandi gives him a look and he’s gone, too.

We have to take action, she says.

I can’t talk, I tell her. There’s an emergency. Chess boy ate up at least four of my precious minutes to find the girl.

Of course there’s an emergency. Our beautiful town has been defaced.

I give her what she wants so she’ll let me go. It’s shocking. Horrible. Beyond belief.

I saved the top spot on the petition for you. Mandi shoves the clipboard at me. When I don’t take it fast enough, she wraps my fingers around the pen. The only time she touches me is when she wants me to do something.

Mandi asked me out two years ago. We’re the smartest kids in class, she said. We should date. Not that I’m bragging—one should never brag about one’s own accomplishments.

Why not? I said. Having a perfect girlfriend was just another layer for the disguise.

So I take her to dances, and we sit together in study hall. Sometimes we go out for ice cream. She likes to have her own fro-yo sundae. No sharing. We get along fine.

She’s intense, even with her brain soaked in Messages. Usually it’s entertaining, but today she’s in my way.

Here. I give the signed petition back and step to the left. I have to find her.

Mandi matches my step, so we’re still facing each other. Take the board and get it signed. I have plenty.

Then can I go?

She nods. Fifty signatures by lunch. Um, I mean, please try. Always ask for favors nicely. Mandi looks frustrated with herself. It must be hard having both the Messages and her bossy self inside one brain. But I really need fifty.

I put her out of her misery. I promise.

People are moving faster now. Almost time to be where you’re supposed to go. We all know the great are never late.

Mandi slips into the stream without saying good-bye.

Oscar! Do you want to be my lab partner today? It’s the girl who sits in front of me in chemistry. Her curly brown ponytail looks highly flammable. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if I tilted my burner toward her….

If you think you can keep up. I give her a small wink to feed the persona. No, seriously, it would be my honor.

She blushes as if I just suggested making out under the lab table. Okay, um, well, see you there!

Before another worshipper can approach, I see skateboarding girl at the end of the hall. Black T-shirt and tangled hair, in the middle of smooth-headed clones wearing pastel. Beautiful and dangerous.

I push through the crowd.

Oscar! I’m having an SAT review party Saturday—

Can’t. I push past.

Black T-shirt, straight ahead but moving fast. I up my pace.

Some interchangeable girl steps in front of me. Is that a petition? May I sign it?

I toss it to the beggar. Keep it and get fifty more.

I almost lose her. For a second, it’s only pastel and blank faces, but then she turns a corner and I catch a glimpse. A black cloud in a blue sky.

Oscar, heads up! Some idiot tosses me a baseball, like I’m his hallway shortstop. I bat it aside.

I’ve

Reviews for Candor

[carleyshea · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The end left me feeling unfulfilled. With a character that has such a strong mind and will to be his own person, I was disappointed in the way things turned out for Oscar. Not that I wanted a particularly happy ending, but there was something left to be desired that I didn't get. I enjoyed the concept and the story, but felt it wasn't executed to it's highest potential. I would, however, be interested in seeing what else Bachorz has in store.

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great debut novel. A bit like the Stepford Children and M.T. Anderson's Feed. The two main charcaters are particularly well-developed.

[librarybrandy · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Read for a book discussion that will probably have no attendees. Sigh.

I'd have liked more answers about how the town came into being, or gets promoted, so something, or at least some idea that the author knew what those answers would be. I'm on board with the ending, though.

[bethlynlucas · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Candor is a quick read. It is a decent book about an adolescent boy whose father has created a way to force all of the children to be perfect, except his own son who is fooling him. The ending leaves much to be desired.

[mrsbakitch · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a really interesting read about how far someone might go to create a perfect society.

[ar1anna_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's more like a 3.5 stars rating.I liked the story (I found it original and well written), and the character were great too. I wanted more Oscar-Nia moments because the love story seemed a little bit rushed to me, but it was a nice read anyway. I only have one regret about it, I wanted Oscar (so badly) to keep the flowers in the end, I just wanted to know that love goes on no matter what. ... And it's a shame that the parents don't get to realize that it's their fault the kids are not as perfect as they want them to be. The brainwash makes the kids perfect, but it has the opposite effect on the parents, because maybe they don't deserve to be parents at all if they are not able to understand their own child and make him/her a better person in a "normal" way.

[mjspear_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In the town of Candor, Oscar Banks is the archetypal good teen. But Oscar has a secret. He knows that his father controls all of the residents of Candor through subliminal messaging in the local sound systems. Further, Oscar has learned to resist these messages himself and help worthy others to escape Candor. New girl Nia is a self-described Artist and beautiful. Oscar falls for her and is torn between wanting to help her escape and keep her --with him-- in Candor. The turmoil and final result nearly destroys all that Oscar is.This books works on many levels: a thought-provoking commentary on the issue of public good (how far would we go to create a 'perfect' society?), a suspenseful chiller (will Nia escape? Will Oscar be discovered?) and a thoughtful love story (do you love someone because of or despite your differences?) Girls will read it for the love story, guys for the adventure, and all will benefit from the issues contained within.

[ramonawray · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I liked it. The premise of this book is all kinds of awesome. Oscar's voice was strong and grabbing. The ending was kind of disappointing, but only because you cared for Oscar so much, you wanted him to succeed. A well-written, well-plotted book. Recommended.

[chris13_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The novel, Candor, encompasses knowing your own identity. The protagonist, Oscar knows a secret that not everyone knows, he knows that parents bring their children to Candor to change them. He then meets a girl, Nia who he does not want to be changed in Candor. (110/249)

[kellyx3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The novel, Candor, encompasses the idea that nobody trips over mountains; it is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. In the beginning, Oscar Banks, the protagonist struggles with not listening to the brainwashing messages. Through the middle, he perseveres through creating a relationship with Nia. By the end he has learned that he cannot escape the messages, but he can save the one he loves from them. (249/ 249)

[parisred · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The novel, Candor, encompasses a community that controlls it's teens through what music they listen to. In the beginning, Oscar Banks, the protagonist struggles with disobeying the messages and building a relationship with Nia, a girl who just moved into their society. Through the middle, he perservers through finding who he is as an individual and what he wants from Nia. By the end he has leared the cleshe that true love concers all, becasue he sacrafices his freedom for her's. ( 249 pgs/ 249 pgs read)

[callmecayce · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very quick, good novel about a boy who struggles against his parents to overcome subliminal messages that are pumped into his city. I really liked this book.

[delzey_2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

How do you deal with unruly teens? Send them to live in the mind-controlled community of Candor, Florida.Oscar's father built Candor in the wake of losing his oldest son. The town is a model community, perfect picket fences and everyone striving for greatness. To achieve this effect Oscar's father built subliminal mind control into the town's architecture, through music constantly playing and reinforcing only the messages he wants.But Oscar's mother resented her husband's methods and left. Oscar was strong-willed and able to resist the messages long enough to teach himself how to counter-program himself and other rich kids for a price. He's helps a dozen or so kids escape and set himself up a little secret offshore bank account. He could leave any time he wants, but he'd rather help others get out while they can since he can keep up the charade without giving into the messages that totally remove his personality and turn him into a robot like the other teens.Problems arrive in the guise of a girl, Nia, who fascinates Oscar. She's a hard case, but Oscar eventually convinces her that he's not the model citizen everyone believes and he's slowly preparing her to escape. Because he's in love with her. But Nia's parents don't feel her personality is conforming fast enough and they send her to a special room Oscar's dad has set up where she spends four days having her brain wiped clean of "bad" behavior and replaced by his extreme programming. Once out, Nia is as brainwashed as all the other kids and Oscar decides to risk everything to save her.Author Bachorz lived in the planned community of Celebration, the "perfect" town created by the Walt Disney Company. If you've seen the Jim Carey movie The Truman Show you can picture this sort of community perfectly, because they filmed the movie there. Superimpose another movie, The Stepford Wives, on top of that and you've pretty much got Candor. Which is not to say it's a bad idea - it totally feeds into the notion teens have about their parents wanting them to be perfect little robots - but it isn't without problems.Mostly what bothers me is that is the entire community is being fed messages, that would include adults and they wouldn't be able to argue about the treatment of their children (as they do here) because they wouldn't understand it. Oscar's dad, the staff at the hospital, all the adults are somehow immune to this subliminal messaging, and that selectivity just isn't possible in a town where the messages are 24/7. Oscar proves that deprogramming is possible, and the kids who are taken off-message do have to maintain a veneer of still being model Candor citizens for fear of being found out, but there's no sense that the adults are going through this same sort of counter-programming. Oscar's dad, who must maintain control over every aspect of the town's carefully planned existence, could not remain as analytical as he is if he weren't somehow constantly unaffected.That this detail is never explained (either that or I blinked and I missed it) crushes the novel for me. World building in sci-fi and fantasy, including real world dystopias like Candor, live and die by their ability to not let the world outside the book take over. At every turn I was constantly finding myself pushed out of the narrative and wondering how this was possible, how these people were affected while others were not, and ultimately how a town could be built on mind control by someone without a degree in psychology and be kept secret from the outside world. This last part is most puzzling, as kids who graduate and leave Candor must do so with a pre-recorded set of "messages" to keep them in line else they will suffer from psychosis. One family is reported to have gone on vacation, forgotten their messages, and killed themselves and each other in a hotel as the programming "wore off." It all just doesn't hold up well under close scrutiny.I ran this book by my resident 13 year old dystopia expert, and while she enjoyed it she had nothing to say about it afterward. This is unusual because most of the time she wants to talk about the Big Ideas that speculative fiction generates. When I posed the question of the adults not being influenced by the messages she had a couple of theories, but nothing that came from the book itself.A for the idea, C- for the effort.

[molly0elizabeth_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What if the people in your town were controlled by messages telling them how to be perfect? You'll find out if you read 'Candor' by Pam Bachorz. It is about a kid named Oscar whose dad controls a town with subliminal messages hidden in music. Oscar is the only one who isn't brainwashed by it, except for the new people who move in. He teaches the new kids how to escape, and, when a new girl moves in named Nia, he takes a special liking to her and has to decide whether to give her up to escape Candor or to keep her in the town and let her turn into another brainwashed Candor citizen. I really, really liked this book, and would recommend it to either gender. I especially liked it because it had such a cool science fiction plot. I connected with Nia, one of the main characters. This is definitely a 2010 must-read.

[jrlibrary · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

To those visiting Candor, Florida, it appears perfect. The teenagers are respectful, hard working, and intelligent. There are no problems whatsoever in town. Oscar Banks, the son of the person responsible for creating such an unbelievable utopia, knows the truth. Oscar knows that his father controls all the citizens by relentlessly feeding them subliminal messages such as "Academics are the key to success", "Studying is your top priority", "Never waste our natural resources", and ""The great are never late". Oscar has figured out a way to hide his true self from the scrutiny of his father and preserve his individual, rebellious thoughts. When an attractive, spunky girl, Nia, moves to Candor, Oscar is determined to save her from Candor's brainwashing process, even if it means exposing his carefully developed defenses. Is there any chance a single boy can take on an entire town, and win?

[irisheyz77 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Candor is a book that there was a lot of early buzz about. All over the the blogs and twitter there it was talk of this amazing new book. It then became a book that I had to have. I needed to learn more about this town and kind of person who would brainwash his own son just to have the perfect society. Reading the book I kept waiting for that WOW factor. The moment which would seal my love for Candor so that I could join the hordes in proclaiming its brilliance.However, that was never to be. At least not for me. I really like the premise and the writing of this novel but I didn't like any of the characters. The adults were underdeveloped and you never really learned all that you wanted to about the origins of Candor. And Oscar. Well he was just plain annoying. I was expecting someone sympathetic. Someone who wanted to fight the good fight, that last bastion of freedom in a place where your every thought is programmed. But Ocsar isn't any of those things. He is selfish and greedy and really isn't all that much better than the father who created a town filled with brainwashed kids.I really wanted to rave about this book but I just can't. I didn't see very much in the book to like. But that said I didn't hate it. I was intrigued and I kept reading to see how it all might pan out. I was shocked by the ending. It wasn't one that I had expected and so was a nice twist. So while I am not going to be jumping on the Candor bandwagon anytime soon I will be watching Pam Bachorz because I do want to see what she comes up with next. Bachorz is gifted at world building even if I didn't always like the world that I was in while reading her words. She's a gifted story teller and I hope that I can click better with her next book then I did with this one

[shellypya · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The town of Candor is ideal. The teens are obedient; they do their homework, help out around the house, and have very tame relationships. But Oscar, the son of Candor's founder, knows the secret; the teens are being controlled by subliminal messages in music. So he works to fight the system, recruiting new arrivals to free them for a price. When a new girl arrives, Oscar likes her too much to let her run away, so he creates special messages for her that help her fight the system while remaining in the town. His plan backfires when she discovers what he's been up to. Will he get caught, or remain Candor's perfect son?

[nickles_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I loved the idea of a planned city where everyone is perfect due to subliminal messages. While the teenagers are perfect children for their parents, one happens to rebel quietly and right under the nose of the city's founder, and I love that Oscar Banks is the rebel and the city planner is his dad. It was wonderful to see all the ways Oscar was able to trick his dad, and you are just waiting for him to get caught. However, while this story had a great plot of Oscar rebelling against this perfect little society and then finally falling in love with Nia (a new resident of Candor) and wanting to help her escape becoming a product of his father's messages, I was rather frustrated with the romance aspect of the story.Oscar and Nia meet and then suddenly, in my opinion, build this strong connection of love. Oscar becomes selfless in his care and desire to protect Nia. I loved this change of Oscar from him only helping other kids escape Candor through monetary compensation and then for doing it for love. However, this love between Oscar and Nia didn't feel genuine. It felt kind of flat to me. I couldn't really come to like Nia. I didn't think she deserved Oscar's protection and love. She was a character that was lacking substance.Overall, I thought the story was good but it wasn't flawless. I saw so much more potential for the book and it left me with lingering questions. It wasn't a wholly satisfying read but it wasn't bad either. And plus, I though it was an original idea.

[karen813 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Candor is a great example of "be careful what you wish for." Parents wishing that their children would adhere to strict standards of behavior would be wise to read this book and see just what a community of like minded people could turn into. Candor sounds like a great idea, use subliminal messages to mold people into what they "should" be. Drug problems, violence, crime, smoking, overeating, and all of our other societal vices are carefully eliminated in Candor. As a result everything should be perfect, right? Not so much, as we dig deeper into Candor we find out the dangers of losing your free will. Creativity is stifled, fun is rare, and since no one thinks for themselves there are no new ideas or inventions. As a reader I rooted for Oscar throughout the book even though I found his character unlikeable at times. He is the ultimate survivor and recognizes a hard truth, you can't save everyone. Oscar spends his time looking out for himself and helping kids who can pay him, until he meets Nia. Oscars transformation when he gets to know Nia is interesting to watch, he must work extra hard to overcome the messages and his own fear of getting into trouble. Nia becomes the most important person in his life and he struggles to help even at his own expense. The end is heartbreaking and I selfishly hope for a sequel so I can spend more time rooting for Oscar.

[fayeflame · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In this town, you are what you hear.....Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, he's found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. He's got them all fooled: Oscar's the top student and the best-behaved teen in town. Nobody knows he's made his own Messagesto deprogram his brain. Oscar has even found a way toget rich. For a hefty price, he helps new kids escape Candor, Florida before they're transformed into cookie-cutter teens. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor,and Oscar's carefully-controlled world crumbles.my thoughts:I don't know, Candor was different from all the i have ever read.When i read Subliminal Messages in the summary, i was already hooked. I loved everything about the book.Oscar was cool and unique, but i kind of felt sorry for him because of what he had to put up with. Like being the "perfect Candor boy", he had no freedom what so ever. I mean i know some parents are over protected BUT come on now 30 seconds each when brushing your teeth and would it kill his dad to pour his own coffee! But When to his relationship with Nina, he was himself. One of the main reasons he liked her, was because she was different and not like all the other robots in Candor.Candor just flowed, it was fast paced. The ending was a BIG surprise, you know how you have that feeling like something is going to happen and you make all those assumptions and then BANG and your left just wowed.I'm still in shock. Candor was an awesome read. Pam definitely put a new twist to YA novels. I'm hoping for a sequel.

[tynga_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Candor makes me think of The Stepford Wives, with it's very own twist. Candor is a town built from scratch on top of a Florida swamp. Oscar's dad built this weird place to brainwash everyone so they all act like perfect citizens. Parents pay millions of dollars to move in with their problem child and are promised they will become good perfect kids. You smoke? We'll fix it. You have gambling problems? We'll fix it.In Candor, nothing is to good to be true. But Oscar isn't fooled! Oscar found out what his dad is doing and fight the system in a very unique way. He helps new children escape before they become silly clones like everyone else, while playing perfect daddy's boy. Nia will put the entire operation in danger though! It is a pretty good debut novel from Pam Bachorz. Not my usual type of read but I liked it. Very well written, good characters choice, and a well built plot. Oscar's act is totally great, he is always fighting to keep the appearances while he wants to go wild with Nia. He faces a lot of moral debates and it adds depth to the story.I was hoping for a happy ending so I was a bit disappointed with the end, I don't know if Pam is writing a sequel to this book but I would sure love to know what happens next!

[dasuzuki · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The town of Candor sounds like a scary version of Pleasantville or a Stepford Wives town where everyone is brainwashed using subliminal messages to be a model citizen.But not everyone is happy. Oscar, the son of Candor's founder, is a running a business getting other teenagers out of Candor before the brainwashing can kick in. This story first grabbed my attention because this "town" seemed like something that could really one day exist. In today's world where violence and crime is on the rise I can see some people trying to create a world where everyone is conditioned to be the model citizen.The people in Candor are so perky and perfect that it was laughable. I loved Oscar's girlfriend, Mandi, you could see her former controlling and high strung self warring continuously with the messages about being nice to everyone and always being polite. Still I'm sure if I ever lived in a world like that though the humor would quickly fade.It took me awhile to get into the book and I will say the ending was not what I had hoped for but it was not a surprise. Definitely an interesting take on what some might view as a Utopian town

[thebookcellar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Candor is a fresh take on the sci-fi topic of mind-control while being intriguing, thought-provoking, and almost a little creepy. The thought of teens lives being controlled by messages they don't even realize are there moves it right up the scale. Candor is definately a book to keep your curiousity pumping! Candor took a few chapters to really pick up, but once it did, there was no putting it down. The story was addicting - I had to know what would happen next. Pam Bachorz kept you guessing at every twist and turn what was going to happen. The ending was the biggest shocker of all! I loved all the characters, both main and supporting. Oscar and Nia were such opposites in some ways and alike in other ways. Nia was my favorite character, I loved her attitude and her I'm going to do what I want sass. At first I wasn't the biggest fan of Oscar, but the change in character when Nia comes into his life changed my opinion of him. When Nia came into his life, he was still the arogant son of a genius, but he seemed more real. The supporting characters were great as well. Mandi played her role perfectly, letting you see the effect the messages have on the teens. Sherman was another that because the messages in his life you found yourself sympathizing with him while at other times you were annoyed with him. I was expecting something a little different from Oscar and Nia's romance. At first, it seemed there was no basis really and they just fell for each other right away. I didn't feel as much of a build between the two as I expected. Later, you truely can tell the emotions they have for each other are there completely, but to get there seemed a bit of a jump. Candor is definately one to pick up this fall! I'd pick up a continuation of Candor's story in a heart beat should Pam Bachorz chose to tell us more!

[abbylibrarian_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Candor is a perfect town. Nobody hurts anyone, no one eats too much, everyone is always on time... because everyone hears the Messages hidden in Candor's ambient music. Oscar has learned to block the messages and he'll get you out... for a price. But when the lovely, feisty Nia comes to Candor, Oscar may have found his weak spot. I couldn't put this novel down and I really enjoyed seeing Oscar's good-boy front and then the deviant underneath. I'd recommend it for fans of Uglies.

[skstiles612 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oscar Banks it the kid everyone wants to be like and the kid every parent wants their kid to be like. Oscar’s father is the founder of Candor, Florida. People bring their children to this city because they want kids like Oscar. Oscar has a secret though. He knows the music has subliminal messages that make the children follow all of the rules. He helps rich kids escape before it is too late. When rebellious Nia comes to Candor, Osacar finds himself strangely attracted to her bad girl image. She knows what is going on. Oscar must decide whether he will help her escape or let her become one of the numbers. This book had a lot of twists and turns that made me love it. It has already started making the rounds in the classroom and the list of names who want the book is growing. I thought about the old movie ‘The Stepford Wives’ as I read this book. I didn’t end the way I thought it would. I would like to see a sequel to this book that tells us what happens to Nia. I look forward to a lot of good books by this author.

[ericajsc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although this is a dystopian book, it’s different because it’s tucked inside the world we know. Candor students work to get into Yale and other Candor-approved universities and Candor families leave town for vacation. I think this facet of the story added a level of creepiness, to think that this could be happening in the here and now. There were certain things about how the town was run that I didn’t understand logistically, but I do my best to read all dystopian stories in a state of suspended disbelief, so the setting worked for me. Other than a few (somewhat) minor plot points, this isn’t a predictable story that’s been done time and again. Just as things seem to be going in one direction, there’s a corkscrew turn and suddenly the story is headed in a different direction. These surprises keep the story exciting and fresh. There are probably a lot of people disappointed with the ending, but I think that the ending illuminates just how much Oscar changes because of Nia. Nia’s effect on Oscar is also interesting because it seems to be the first time since his mom left that he allows himself to really care about another person.This is the first book I’ve read that has made me fully aware that I’m reading through the eyes of a parent. I think if I had read this book when I was in high school, I probably would have been disgusted by the idea of parents wanting to brainwash their children into submission. As a parent, this concept is absurd to me and if someone came to me thinking of this as a possibility for their child I’d be outraged; yet another part of me would understand where the desire came from, because even the every day challenges of raising kids is tiring. But I’d never choose to have any child, any person I love to be subjected to the messages like the citizens of Candor are. The parents in this book allow Candor to strip away anything unique in their children, and in doing so they’re robbing themselves of the opportunity to really know their kids. Because this book forced me to think about parenting in a completely different way, I think I’ll always remember it. Though the details of the story may fade, the core of it will forever be in my mind.

[harlequintwilight · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Candor, Florida is where wealthy families take their children that make trouble. Candor transforms those children into perfect, Yale bound students, and these children always respect their parents, always do their chores, and never get into trouble…Ever.Campbell Banks built Candor into what it is; he created the technology that makes not just these kids, but also these parents, into what they are. It only takes a week, sometimes two if their strong, to fully make the change from a troubled teen to a Candor kid. That is unless Oscar Banks steps in, if the bank accounts big enough and the kids want out bad enough, he can make it happen.On the outside, Oscar is the perfect Candor kid, he’s his father’s clone, but on the inside and to those select few, there’s the truth: Oscar knows how to block his father’s Messages, he knows how to keep them from turning, how to keep them normal. Then Nia shows up. Nia is different for Oscar, there’s something about her that attracts him, that makes him want to forget everything and stop being careful, something about her that makes him want to leave Candor.There were parts of Candor that I didn’t really understand, like how Nia and Oscar could talk to each other briefly, a few times and then be in love with one another. Or like how Oscar’s father could never suspect a thing. But despite not buying how quickly their relationship came about, I found that I absolutely adored them! The moments they had were so sweet (like the “museum”, read it and you’ll understand) and they actually seemed so genuine with one another, like they saw the true parts of each other.I’ve been pleasantly surprised this year by how well the writing has been in debut authors, and Candor was no different. It was very well written, and the characters were developed so well, especially for a short novel. The last few chapters were so exciting and engrossing, that even when my body was saying “go to bed,” I couldn’t put it down.This was also the first book in a long while to bring a tear to my eye (nothing since The Siren by Kiera Cass has managed to do that). During those last few chapters, I had my ideas on what was going to happen, but when they were proven wrong and it was over, I found a tear in my eye and frantically flipping the acknowledgment pages and the back pages for something else, anything else.I don’t know for sure if there’s going to be a sequel, but apparently there are Messages hidden in Candor, because I am hoping to revisit Oscar, Nia, and the town of Candor again.

[galleysmith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The most compelling aspect of Candor is less about the rigid life inhabitants are forced to live at the hands of Mr. Banks and more about the father son dynamic that his control creates. Instead of allowing his son to grieve the loss of several family members, instead of creating a relationship built on that common ground Mr. Banks forces Oscar to rebel against unusual circumstances in a less than ordinary way.Compelled to fight for free will not just for himself but for his classmates as well Oscar’s main foe is the one person he should be relying on most. In this way Oscar is actually a true teenager as he sneaks around and tries to keep his father at bay. The difference being the consequences of success or failure are much more extreme than the typical teenage rebellion about music or grades or selection of friends.What is most interesting is that it is in Oscar’s final selfless gesture to the only person who he felt understood him, the only person he wanted to share his time and his life with, that the father-son relationship that Mr. Banks so longed for is solidified. It is in this act that Oscar becomes everything he never wanted.It is this element of the story that had the greatest and most profound impact.Written with an understated eloquence and subtlty Bachorz created an eerily robotic and somewhat disconcerting burg in Candor. The characters were over the top perky and conscientious yet rarely annoying to the reader. They exhibited traits of perfection, they were the ultimate in submission and all the while small traces of individuality leaked through in desperate attempts to show that there were still people in the mindless bodies created by Mr. Banks.The irony of it all was that Mr. Banks ended up being the most robotic and least feeling character of them all. In his desperation to forget his wife and oldest son he lost all ability to effectively communicate, he lost the ability to discern right from wrong, and ultimately he became so mired in denial and avoidance that he was no longer able to do more than provide a service to community members. He got from point A to point B by controlling every aspect of everyone’s life.Another interesting, and quite ironic, element of the story I truly enjoyed was the fact that Oscar used the same means his father undertook to try and preserve individuality. His own mind control tapes were designed to keep people themselves but in doing so he irradiated the true meaning of individuality and free will. There was still someone controlling their lives.One of the things I adored most about this book was that Bachorz wasn’t afraid to take risks. Most particularly in how she handled the end. Without spoiling what exactly that ending is the result of Oscar’s hard work against his father was shocking in a way that has the ability to make a person weep. Done with great emotion and tremendous realism Bachorz creates a satisfying resolution that makes me yearn for more. Despite having heard of no plans for a sequel I can see there is definitely room to revisit Oscar and Nia. I’d love to get a peak of what happened to each and where they are now.If you like dystopian fare that is less about fantasy and the end of the world then definitely pick up a copy of Candor it’s a fabulously interesting and thought provoking read.

[kperry_64 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oscar Banks is the perfect boyfriend, the perfect son, and the perfect example of what every child should be like. Oscar’s father is the founder of Candor, an exclusive community where everything is perfect – there is no crime, teenagers do their homework and obey their parents, and everyone lives a healthy lifestyle (since instead of ice cream the stores only sell frozen yogurt and instead of popcorn at the movies they only serve carrot sticks).Oscar plays the part of the model student perfectly – he has to in order to keep up his cover. Oscar has a way around the system and even developed his own business to counteract his father’s effects on the kids in town. Subliminal messages surround the inhabitants of Candor every moment of their lives. Messages like, Academics are the key to success, Keep Candor beautiful, Healthy breakfasts make for smart minds, and Avoid physical contact swirl through their minds, but Oscar has found a way to fight off the effects of the messages.One day a new girl moves into town. Nia is completely different from everyone else. She is wild and free and Oscar quickly becomes fascinated with her. Oscar can’t stand the thought of Nia becoming like the other robots in town and starts to come up with a plan to save her.CANDOR is an intense story about the dangers of control and the insistence of perfection. Readers will be fascinated with life in Candor and won’t want to put the book down. Oscar, even though self-serving at times, is a great character to get to know and Nia and Oscar’s relationship is heart-warming. In terms of science fiction, CANDOR is a winner.

[ekanderson_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Candor is the perfect city where perfect teens live perfect lives and make their perfect parents proud. Oscar knows why – his father, the founder, developed technology that makes even the most rebellious teens conform. Oscar gets kids out…for a price. Then he meets Nia, an artist and a rebel, and he finds himself smitten. Oscar wants to change – he wants to save Nia, whether that means getting her out or hiding her in plain sight. But the powers that be are stronger than even Oscar realized, and soon he is asking himself what sacrifices he is willing to make for love. Candor is a terrifying, heartbreaking, slightly insane story that clearly resonates a Stepford vibe and keeps the reader guessing through the last page. If you’re looking for a chilling sci-fi, this is your book.