By Steve Cole (author) , Chris King (illustrator)
"Tense, thought-provoking sci-fi thriller."
Paperback In Stock £7.99 £7.19
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January 2026 Book of the Month
Dystopian fiction is right back in vogue it seems – wonder why? – and Steve Cole’s gripping, thought-provoking story feels scarily possible.
It’s 2070, mankind has experienced a string of climate disasters with large parts of the world uninhabitable, and humans reduced to eating insects. One benefit of this brave new world however, are ‘Pleekas’. The development of artificial emotional intelligence means that those who can afford it can transfer their memories and personality into an artificial body, a Pleeka.
It looks just like you, only better. Moreover, this body won’t age or get sick; won’t need to sleep, eat, use the toilet. No wonder people are flocking to sign up with Pleeka developer, the New You Foundation and with the arrival of the next generation of Pleekas, the offer is extended to those as young as sixteen, the marketing campaign being stay young, live forever, don’t consume any resources.
If this sounds too good to be true, you won’t be surprised to hear that the New You Foundation care more about their profits and power, than about people or the planet. Can narrator, teenage journalist Anders Jones and young climate change activist Tera Helstrom expose the company before it’s too late, for them and their fellow humans?
Packed full of ideas, this tense and involving story poses fascinating questions and will set all readers thinking.
Particularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 8.
Can you save the world by living for ever? Anders uncovers the sinister truth about Pleekas in this gripping dystopian thriller from award-winning author Steve Cole.
Read the full description
The year is 2070, and the New You Foundation claim to have found the ultimate answer to the climate crisis. They want human beings to transform themselves into Pleekas - perfect artificial replicas. Pleekas can go on for ever but won't create waste or use the Earth's resources.
Too good to be true?
When a chance meeting leads young journalist Anders Jones to the sinister truth, he must risk everything to expose New You - if it's not already too late …
Steve Cole was our Guest Editor in November 2011. Click here to find out more and see some of his favourite books.
Steve Cole is a hugely successful British children's author with sales of over 3 million copies. Formerly a children's book editor at various publishing houses, his Astrosaurs series launched his writing career. His work since has spanned many genres, from science fiction and adventure (including Doctor Who and Young Bond titles) to 'cli-fi' , comedy and graphic novels. Known for his lively school visits and infectious enthusiasm for storytelling, Steve has inspired thousands of young readers. In his spare time, he sings and plays bass with his band Faces Fall, teaches salsa dancing and homes rescue animals. He lives in Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire. To see more author information click here .
You can see more Steve videos on his YouTube channel - click here .
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The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed New You for Ever and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
New You for Ever features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Adventure Stories, Science Fiction, Thrillers, Ecological and Environmental Interest - Non Fiction, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Dyslexia Friendly Books for Interest age 9+, Dyslexia Friendly Books for Interest age 11+, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Speculative, dystopian and utopian fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage: Social issues / topics
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
New You for Ever was written by Steve Cole and published by Barrington Stoke an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
New You for Ever has 123 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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