Common Sense Media Review
Shocking sci-fi gives teens plenty to get wound up about.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 28 parent reviews
Parents say that this book can be a gripping read for mature teens, sparking deep conversations about life and tough moral issues, but it also contains disturbing themes of violence and body dismemberment that some find inappropriate for younger readers. While many appreciate its ability to engage students and provoke thought, caution is advised for those with sensitive dispositions, making it more suitable for teens aged 13 and up.
- engaging read
- thought-provoking themes
- disturbing content
- suitable for mature teens
- caution advised
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 139 kid reviews
What's the Story?
In the future, a war has been fought between the pro-life and pro-choice armies. Their final settlement: the Bill of Life, which ends abortion but allows parents to choose to have their children "unwound" between ages 13 and 18. "Unwinding" is the transplanting of every part of the teens' bodies; since every bit of their bodies is still "alive," they haven't technically been killed, right? WhenConnor discovers that his parents have signed an order for his unwinding, he tries to escape. Eventually meeting up with Risa, another escaping Unwind, and Lev, whose life has been tithed to the church, Connor tries to keep them all one step ahead of the police. But Lev may have other ideas.
Is It Any Good?
Once readers have managed the huge suspension of disbelief that UNWIND's premise requires, they'll find the story exciting and thought-provoking. Raising issues that range from abortion, organ transplant, and euthanasia to the rights of parents, children, and society, Shusterman does what he's done many times before -- takes an idea and runs with it far beyond where most authors are willing to go.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the future world presented in Unwind. How does it compare to other books, movies, or other media set in the future?
Why is it important to read books set in imagined futures? What do we have to gain from this story?
What is the point of science fiction? Why do you enjoy reading these books? Do you choose them only for entertainment -- or do they improve your critical thinking?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster
- Publication date : November 1, 2007
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 13
- Number of pages : 335
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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