conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me a description for a book titled Contaminated about Velvet, Velvet's, Up-"Contamination with the genre: Teen & Young Adult, Literature & Fiction.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Gr 9 Up-"Contamination, not contagion," they said. When the "zombies apocalypse" happened, the zombies weren't exactly like the ones Velvet had seen in the movies. They didn't rise from their graves, weren't undead, and didn't create new ones of their kind when they attacked. Instead, they were just normal people who had tried a new sports drink that promised to help them lose weight. However, as the drink became more popular, the company was unable to keep up with demand, and they began cutting corners in the production of the active protein ingredient. Unfortunately, it took several waves of apparent zombie attacks before scientists realized that the lack of impulse control and the aggression were caused by a contamination in the bottled beverage. While Velvet's father was killed in the first wave of attacks, by the time her mother had turned, electric-shock collars had been created to manage the contaminated's aggression and return them to their families. the author's novel is a unique take on a popular genre. While there are intermittent moments of suspense, the horror elements take a backseat to Velvet's plight as she strives to provide for and protect her family.-Ryan F. Paulsen, New Rochelle High School, NY(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Add another sentence about Velvet, lived.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Gr 9 Up-"Contamination, not contagion," they said. When the "zombies apocalypse" happened, the zombies weren't exactly like the ones Velvet had seen in the movies. They didn't rise from their graves, weren't undead, and didn't create new ones of their kind when they attacked. Instead, they were just normal people who had tried a new sports drink that promised to help them lose weight. However, as the drink became more popular, the company was unable to keep up with demand, and they began cutting corners in the production of the active protein ingredient. Unfortunately, it took several waves of apparent zombie attacks before scientists realized that the lack of impulse control and the aggression were caused by a contamination in the bottled beverage. While Velvet's father was killed in the first wave of attacks, by the time her mother had turned, electric-shock collars had been created to manage the contaminated's aggression and return them to their families. At 16, Velvet has lived through immense horrors, and now it has fallen to her to raise her younger sister and to care for her mother, who will never fully recover. the author's novel is a unique take on a popular genre. While there are intermittent moments of suspense, the horror elements take a backseat to Velvet's plight as she strives to provide for and protect her family. -Ryan F. Paulsen, New Rochelle High School, NY(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me the first five paragraphs for this book.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Contaminated
  THEY KEEP THEM IN CAGES. THE UNCLAIMED. Long rows of narrow, filthy cages lined up along dark corridors lit by bare, hanging bulbs. The corridors stink like disinfectant. It's a harsh, burning smell that hurts the inside of my nose, but it's better than the reek that wafts up from underneath the odor of cleanser. That smell's something raw and meaty and moist, something sick. Like dirty wounds. Blood and other things.
  Of course I know. But just in case, I hold up the picture I pulled from an old album. It's worn and creased from being in my pocket. Warm from my body. I look a lot different in that picture. I was only ten then, and I'll soon be eighteen. But that's okay. We all look different now.
  She won't be pretty anymore even if I do find her. Not after so much time out there on her own, on the streets. Not after being kept for more than even a single day in this place or one like it, a chance that's grown more and more unlikely even though I search both of the town's kennels as often as I can. Every other day, if I can manage it. Even when I don't think I'll be able to stand it one more time. Even when I can't decide if I hope someone found her and brought her in, or if I wish she'd never be found.
  I stare down the long, long rows of cages. I can't smell them anymore, which is a disgusting blessing because it means I've been here long enough to get used to it. I never want to be here long enough to get used to anything in this place.
  I know this already, the way I know her name is Jean. She introduced herself to me when I came into the kennel the first time, to fill out my paperwork. She has a son who helps out here at the kennel, and a husband named Earl, who can't work. She's never said why. It's not my business, and really, I don't care. I'm glad she's never told me, so I don't have to nod politely and pretend it matters.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me four more paragraphs.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: There's still traffic, even though most people who used to commute regularly to work have either moved closer to their jobs to use public transportation or aren't around to work anymore. Most of it's trucks, construction vehicles, cleanup crews. Still a lot of military. Our world's been put back on its feet, but like my mom, it's still a little too unsteady to walk on its own.
  There is a good chance, though, that we can hitch a ride. People aren't as afraid of hitchhikers now, since sometimes it's the only way to get anywhere. You wouldn't think that's the case, that people would be afraid of picking up Connies... except I guess that Connies don't stand on the side of the road with their thumbs out—they just rush at the cars and run them off the road.
  I'm not even hitching, but only a few cars pass us before one pulls over. The driver rolls down the passenger-side window. "You need a ride?"
  He looks okay, but while I might've taken him up on it if I were alone, I have to think about my mom. I shake my head.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me the last five paragraphs.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: About an hour later, the president addresses the nation. He sounds tired, and the broadcast isn't entirely clear. He talks a lot about safety and precautions, and the importance of citizen cooperation. I can't really follow a lot of what he's getting at, because all of his words sound like they were written by someone who was more interested in seeing how many syllables they could use than being easy to understand. I think maybe that's on purpose.
  One thing stands out, though. Unlike the first time around, this Contamination isn't limited to the United States. It's not limited to the consumption of one single product, either. According to the president, there's a pandemic in motion, the source of which is unclear. Possibly terrorism.
  We're huddled under a blanket, listening to the broadcast. Opal has fallen asleep beside Mom. We keep the volume low so they don't overhear. I wish I didn't have to listen, but I can't stop.
  Under this blanket, it would be easy to forget the world out there. We could pretend we're just two kids kissing in private. We could pretend a lot of things, none of which is true, and even though I'd like to, I know Dillon and I are going to face the truth.
  Neither of us knows what to do or say, so we listen to the president's speech until the very end. One thing's clear, the world as we knew it is gone. The world we've grown accustomed to is gone, too. Now we can only wait and see what's going to happen next.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Swap the first and the last sentence.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Now we can only wait and see what's going to happen next. He sounds tired, and the broadcast isn't entirely clear. He talks a lot about safety and precautions, and the importance of citizen cooperation. I can't really follow a lot of what he's getting at, because all of his words sound like they were written by someone who was more interested in seeing how many syllables they could use than being easy to understand. I think maybe that's on purpose.
  One thing stands out, though. Unlike the first time around, this Contamination isn't limited to the United States. It's not limited to the consumption of one single product, either. According to the president, there's a pandemic in motion, the source of which is unclear. Possibly terrorism.
  We're huddled under a blanket, listening to the broadcast. Opal has fallen asleep beside Mom. We keep the volume low so they don't overhear. I wish I didn't have to listen, but I can't stop.
  Under this blanket, it would be easy to forget the world out there. We could pretend we're just two kids kissing in private. We could pretend a lot of things, none of which is true, and even though I'd like to, I know Dillon and I are going to face the truth.
  Neither of us knows what to do or say, so we listen to the president's speech until the very end. One thing's clear, the world as we knew it is gone. The world we've grown accustomed to is gone, too.About an hour later, the president addresses the nation.