SOLVED. YA Science Fiction. Read ~2010. World falling apart/too many people, group of kids end up scavenging and making a home for themselves. Go to VR tests as a group. Spoilers ahead. [s]

[Starfish_shoelace]

I read a book a long time ago, I believe it was around 2010, but not entirely sure. I vaguely remember it starting with a kid in society and I believe once they reach a certain age only the super intelligent kids get to stay in society and the rest get kicked out to somewhere less nice (in my head its basically a small portion of society is nice and the rest of the world is practically a giant trash dump). I remember a group of kids ends up getting together and finding a house and basically scavenging and making it home. They also get some sort of pamphlet or something about some sort of VR type test thing where they are provided (food?) something in return. This VR type thing is of a different planet and them trying to work together to survive. They end up having complementing skills during these sessions.

In the end it turns out they were like a perfectly selected group of individuals and they worked well enough that the final "VR" simulation was actually the real deal and they are actually on this new planet. I also remember other similar groups being there and it ended with basically the start of a new civilization.

[Rainbowheart]

Invitation to the Game

[Starfish_shoelace]

Rainbowheart wrote: "Invitation to the Game"

That's it!! Thank you so much!

[Rainbowheart]

Awesome, glad to help out!