Unwind

Peach’s Picks Rating


Title:
Unwind

Author:
Neal Shusterman

Illustrator:
None

ISBN:
978-1-4169-1204-0

Publisher:
New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Copyright:
2007

Length:
335 pages

Plot Summary:
This story is set in a dystopian society created after civil war in futuristic America. Abortions are outlawed, but a radical concept similar to abortion is in place. Children ages 13 through 17-years-old can be unwound, meaning their parents or guardians can make the choice to sign their child over to the state. Once the state receives the teen, body parts are harvested and given others in need. Children live in fear that they will displease their parents and be unwound. Orphans are an easy target for harvesting. Some families even give birth to a child with the express purpose of offering them to the state as tithes. Sixteen-year-old Connor Lassiter from Ohio finds that his parents have decided to unwind him because he has anger management problems and is unruly. On the way to the harvest camp he meets Risa, an orphan, also on her way to be unwound, and Lev, the product of religious parents who believe he should be tithed to the state. They form a rocky alliance and attempt to escape their fate.

Critical Evaluation:
The book contains three interwoven stories, those of Connor, Risa, and Lev who are on their way to be unwound. Through the narrative the author addresses weighty issues: when life starts and stops, religion, free will, and betrayal of parents, authority figures, and friends. These issues appeal to teens who will find them both thought-provoking and shocking. The story is told in third person, rather than in first person that is such a common literary device in YA fiction. The characters of the teens are well-developed and the reader immediately identifies with each character’s special circumstance that led them to be sent for unwinding. The author has developed a plot that is includes intrigue, betrayals, and narrow escapes. At first the book is a page turner, but in the middle the tale begins to ramble as though the author lost the story. Toward the conclusion of the book, the narration tightens and becomes a page turner again, only to conclude abruptly with an ending that is too perfect and happy. Some readers will be offended by the concept of the book and will compare it to a pro-abortion stance. The premise of a parent willing sending their teen to be unwound offers the reader much to ponder and can lead to provocative discussions.

Reader’s Annotation:
This story, set in futurist America, offers parents the opportunity to rid themselves of troublesome teens by sending them to be harvested for body parts. Sixteen-year-old Connor Lassiter finds that his parents have chosen to unwind him and now he is on the run.

Author Information:
Grew up in Brooklyn, New York
Began writing when he was young
Attended junior high and high school at the American School of Mexico City
Attended the University of California, Irvine where he was a member of the swim team and also wrote a humor column
He holds degrees in psychology and drama
Shortly after graduating from college he negotiated a book deal and was hired to write a movie script
He lives in southern California and has four children
Currently his works include novels, screen plays, and television scripts
He has also directed two award-winning short films
His novels have received many awards:

Genre:
Science fiction

Curriculum Ties:
Use in literature classes

Booktalking Ideas:
What would you do if you found your parents did not want you anymore? Not only do they not want you, they are sending you away to be killed and your body parts harvested for others who need them.

Explain that Connor’s parents do not want him any more and read aloud a passage from the book found on page 6: “Connor’s parents don’t know that Connor knows he’s being unwound. He wasn’t supposed to find out, but Connor has always been good at ferreting out secrets. Three weeks ago, while looking for a stapler in his dad’s home office he found airplane tickets to the Bahamas. . . One problem, though: There were only three tickets. His mother, his father, his younger brother. No ticket for him . . . . So Connor went looking a little deeper when his parents were out, and he found it. The Unwind order. It had been signed in old-fashioned triplicate. The white copy was already gone – off with the authorities. The yellow copy would accompany Connor to his end, and the pink would stay with his parents . . .”

Reading Level/Interest Age:
Grades 8-11

Additional Books by Author:
Antsy Does Time
Everlost
Everwild
Full Tilt: A Novel
Schwa Was Here

Challenge Issues:
Premise of book is similar to abortion
Deal with challenge by having a challenge policy in place, selection policy in place (ALA policies). Meet with library administration if necessary. Provide positive review(s) from professional publications.

Why this work is included in Peach’s Picks:
The book received a starred review in School Library Journal and positive reviews in Booklist, and Horn Book. Four peaches are awarded because the book has an interesting concept, but is rambling with a pat ending.

Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Unwind-Neal-Shusterman/dp/1416912045/ref=sr_1_1_oe_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273440520&sr=1-1

References:
Shusterman, N. (2010). “bio.” Neal Shusterman. Retrieved April, 27, 2010, from http://www.storyman.com/bio/