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The Program

By: Suzanne Young
Narrated by: Joy Osmanski
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Publisher's summary

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone - but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

Includes a bonus interview with the author.

©2013 Suzanne Young (P)2013 Simon & Schuster
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Editorial reviews

Editors Select, April 2013 - This fresh take on dystopian YA draws on the lives of everyday teens to build a realistic world complete with young love, and well-meaning, but overprotective, parents. It starts out with a strikingly unique premise: With a growing depression-related suicide epidemic among teens, infected teens are whisked away to The Program, a form of in-patient intensive therapy meant to heal the behavioral contagion. But it seems to involve a little more memory-wiping than counseling. Our heroine, Sloane (what a name!), is smart, savvy, and madly in love her boyfriend, James - with whom she witnessed her own brother’s suicide. This is a book that speaks and relates to the unspoken issues teens see in the real world: self-harm, the brave face, long bouts of depression, and the wish to just make it all go away - whether that be through running away, memory loss, or even death. This would have been my favorite book when I was 15, and the relatable sense of angst will definitely appeal to Twilight fans. Joy Osmanski is a fabulous YA narrator - I’m excited to listen to her take on Sloane. Erin, Audible Editor

What listeners say about The Program

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Liked it a lot, not loved it

Would you recommend The Program to your friends? Why or why not?

I would recommend it, even more if they are parents of teenagers that are reading it (I'm 33, so my friends are more likely to be parents than to be teenagers themselves).

It has an interesting subject matter, different from other young adult books I have read, more close to our everyday society and enhancing some important issues that are a reality in the teens: the first love, facing the loss of your love ones, social pressures and expectancies, depression, suicide… and I'm pretty sure a lot of teenagers are going to feel really identify with some of the situations described in the story.

So yes, for those who like young adult books I would recommend this one.

What about Joy Osmanski’s performance did you like?

I liked Joy Osmandi's performance, it was believable in terms of emotions and I think she accomplished all characters pretty well, easily identifiable.

Do you think The Program needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I don't have to guess in this one, the end of the book is so open that is made for a follow up and in fact in the short interview with the writer at the very last chapter she confirms even the name of the sequel, not the date. And to be honest, I would listen the sequel, this is the kind of book that can keep me entertain enough as long as it keeps going with an interesting story.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

sweet

loved it. a must read. amazing series. both of my teens loved it as well

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Definitely interesting

Like how only slightly different it is from reality.
You are annoyed by things that are not scientifically possible? Don't listen to this book.
I like to dive into an author's imagination and books are such an escape that I enjoy when it's different.
Audiobook that I couldn't stop listening. "Page turner"
Not only for young adults, Im 28 And enjoyed it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing!

I really enjoyed this book. Listened to it when I was in the car. Even my 11 year old son liked it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this story!

Great great book, loved every minute of it. Amazing story, just incredibly entertaining. Everyone should read it!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Omg!

💋🙏🏻💕
Love this! So good! Omg prays to the writer! Plot was so good couldn't put it down?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing book

Great plot amazing I hate reading honestly but this book caught my interest and I listened to the hole thing in three days!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

I am not sure, if I liked it.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Program to be better than the print version?

I did not read the book, but I think, the narrator brought good life to the book.

Would you recommend The Program to your friends? Why or why not?

Maybe. I am not sure any of my friends like this kind of story and I am not even sure, if I did.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Don't take ny memories.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This is the BEST Audiobook EVER!

I don’t even know where to start with this. This is just such a masterpiece. I mean if you could fit love, darkness, looming authority figures, trust issues, anger, happiness, sadness, depression, and just overall amazingness, into ONE book this would be it. As an aspiring writer I value this piece as one of my prize role models. It’s just so filled with action, excitement, suspense, and it just fills me with an indescribable feeling of well… indescribableness. I just can’t believe that this perfectly imperfect story exists. So if this was the first review that you saw I STRONGLY urge you to BUY this audiobook RIGHT NOW! Listen to the WHOLE thing and write ANOTHER good review.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

YA dystopia

The book was just okay. Not a bad storyline but the main character, Sloan, whines and cries too much and it gets repetitive.

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