SOLVED. about a group of teenagers who go to school by plugging into a computer and learning in a virtual reality, kind of like the Matrix. And for about 21 years they get trained in this virtual world [s]

[Sam]

Okay so this book was about a group of teenagers who go to school by plugging into a computer and learning in a virtual reality, kind of like the Matrix. And for about 21 years they get trained in this virtual world, and leave it to see their family and friends in the 'real world.' But towards the end when the teens have been sufficiently trained they are told that the world they thought was the real world was also a virtual reality, and they have been chosen to be the last remaining humans on Earth to save the world. So they leave the virtual worlds, and find earth in ruin, and they start on their quest to returning it back to its old state.

I read this a long time ago and for a few months I've been trying to remember its title. Any help would be much appreciated!

[April Ann]

I'm not coming up with anything. Do you know what decade it may have been published in? How long ago did you read it?

[Sam]

I read it about two years ago, I think it may be young adult. I'm really not sure what decade it was published in, though. Before 2000, I think, because I rented it from the library and it was pretty worn.

[Jackie "the Librarian"]

Could you be thinking of Invitation to the Game by Monica Hughes?
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14...

[April Ann]

I found this one: Virtual World by Chris Westwood. Published 1997...I'll keep looking...

[Sam]

No, I don't think it's either of those, but Virtual World seems to have a similar concept.

[April Ann]

There's The Third Eye by Sophia Stewart. There is some skuttlebut pertaining to "The Matrix" surrounding this one.

And Captive in the Virtual World by Cathy East Dubowski, haven't found a good description but it's for ages 9-12 and may be a series. (VR Troopers)

Virtual War by Gloria Shurzynski, pub. 1997 is simialar... Description:
In a future world where global contamination has necessitated limited human contact, three young people with unique genetically engineered abilities are teamed up to wage a war in virtual reality. First in "Virtual War Chronologs"

[Sam]

No I looked at all of those, but a few days ago I sat down determined to find this book. So I searched on google hundreds of different phrases from the bits and pieces I remembered from it. And after a while I finally found it. It's Idlewild by Nick Sagan: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44...
I've already placed in order for it on ebay to reread again. Thank you all so much for helping!