conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Provide a description for a book titled The First Twenty about UpTwenty, Settlers, Scavengers with the genre: Teen & Young Adult, Science Fiction & Fantasy.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Gr 7 UpTwenty years after the collapse of civilization as we know it, two rival communities are trying to eke out an existence from what's left: the Settlers and the Scavengers. When a raid of the settlement goes wrong and Nixie, a dowser, is left behind, will she be able to escape? And with everything a settlement has to offer, will she even want to? the author has written a not particularly new take on the postapocalyptic genre, without some of the more common dystopian elements seen in contemporary YA. What sets this title apart is its easy and unapologetic incorporation of gay and lesbian characters. The central romance is between two young women, the character whose death kicks off the narrative is gay, and his partner is an important parental figure in the narrative. Those looking for YA read-alikes to Veronica Roth's "Divergent" books (HarperCollins) won't often stumble across gay characters. Fans of Alex London's Proxy (Philomel, 2013) will enjoy. VERDICT An important, if flawed YA science fiction work with diverse representation.L. Lee Butler, Hart Middle School, Washington, DC
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Delete the first sentence.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: When a raid of the settlement goes wrong and Nixie, a dowser, is left behind, will she be able to escape? And with everything a settlement has to offer, will she even want to? the author has written a not particularly new take on the postapocalyptic genre, without some of the more common dystopian elements seen in contemporary YA. What sets this title apart is its easy and unapologetic incorporation of gay and lesbian characters. The central romance is between two young women, the character whose death kicks off the narrative is gay, and his partner is an important parental figure in the narrative. Those looking for YA read-alikes to Veronica Roth's "Divergent" books (HarperCollins) won't often stumble across gay characters. Fans of Alex London's Proxy (Philomel, 2013) will enjoy. VERDICT An important, if flawed YA science fiction work with diverse representation.L. Lee Butler, Hart Middle School, Washington, DC
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Provide the first five paragraphs for this book.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: The First Twenty
  Heat from the afternoon sun burned the back of Peyton's neck as she stood at the foot of her father's grave. Four men carefully lowered his wrapped body into the narrow pit dug into the scorched earth. Most of the security detail stood around her, their arms crossed respectfully behind their backs. Others patrolled the perimeter of the graveyard, scouting for Scavengers.
  Peyton would find those responsible for her father's death and she would make them pay. Clenching her fists to keep them from trembling, she pulled herself straighter.
  Enrique's shrouded body hit the ground and the crew pulled the ropes out. Peyton reached down, grabbed a clump of dirt, and scattered it over his body without thought. The others followed suit and murmured words she couldn't hear. Remnants of the old days, perhaps. She said nothing as she watched.
  When everyone had paid their respects, the four men once again took over and picked up their shovels to bury him properly. Peyton turned to address the security detail that stood behind her, deferring to her for instructions—just as they had once done with her father.
  She surveyed those in front of her before nodding tersely. "We need to get back to the Mill and make plans. Let Ryan, Willow, and Jasper stay. They'll provide enough coverage."
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Provide five more paragraphs.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Peyton moved quickly, jumping to her feet and grabbing Nixie's upper arm. It was a good thing she was so small. Almost her entire hand fit around her biceps.
  Nixie's muscles were locked with tension, but after a few moments, they relaxed. The fight left her body and she sighed audibly. Peyton loosened her grip just enough to let Nixie turn, but not enough that she would be able to flee if she felt the need to.
  Nixie's laugh was a sharp, harsh sound that grated on Peyton's nerves. "Trust me, I'm harmless. Probably more harmless than Static."
  Nixie sat on the ground next to her and Peyton released her arm, joining her. She sat close, but not so close as to make her feel like she was being crowded, even though the desire to wrap an arm around her shoulder nearly overwhelmed her, and not just to keep her from fleeing. She clenched her hands and thrust them into her lap to keep them in place. "Try me."
  Nixie took a deep breath and sighed again, looking down at the ground. Her fingertips brushed against some dirt and started tracing seemingly random patterns. Bits of grass and twigs were rearranged. Peyton wondered if she'd actually say anything.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Provide the last five paragraphs.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Jasper had his fingers in Ranger's short hair, and he grinned widely. "Not that much would get accomplished. Dr. Easton would kill me."
  Ranger's eyes drooped and he yawned. "That feels nice," he murmured before whatever sedative the doctor had given him kicked in.
  The outer door banged open and Dr. Easton yelled, "For the love of—Static! Will you please be careful? This is a medical ward, not some party house!"
  Peyton turned and they all looked at each other, silent as the voice droned on in the background, giving more information. Static recovered from his shock, found a discarded pencil, and scribbled furiously on the rough counter. Finally he turned, his eyes wide.
  Peyton glanced down at her hands enjoined with Nixie's and smiled. They'd come a long way since that day Nixie fell into the river, and the future stood before them with endless possibilities. Tugging her girl closer, Peyton wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. Nixie looked up, her cool blue eyes crinkled at the corners with delight. "Some of us already have."