 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Unwind
- By Neal Shusterman
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Shocking sci-fi gives teens plenty to get wound up about.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this science-fiction tale is set in a society that kills teens to obtain body parts for transplants. Amid other violence, there's a very disturbing (though not graphic) scene of dismemberment that makes this book a better choice for teens mature enough to handle this difficult content.
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? When Connor 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.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the future world presented here. 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?
More generally, 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?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
I'm in-between the ages of 10 and 15 and I loved this book!
This is my second time reading it, and I loved it! I wouldn't recommend it for people under the ages of 10. It is a little disturbing because of the 'unwinding' part, but it's NOT real, its FICTION.
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AGE
Parents...listen
I personally read the novel. I am 17 and have read this book for a class. The review points out the negatives about the book but not the positive of the book. I do not think that parents should worry about what their children are reading at 15,16,17 or 18. Our lives are way more detailed than what our parents lives were. Which makes my classmates angry when we read these reviews and they are all negative. Focus on positive things in life and pick your battles. This isn`t on of them to fight.The morals of the book are what to look at, not the "several kissing scenes", which have NOTHING to do with the book! IF parents are going to be like this, then they need to be glad that their child is reading. Most kids today do not read.
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AGE
Neal certainly out-did himself with this one...
This book is beyond well-written. It engenders your mind into vividly imagining everything described in this novel. You really begin to feel for the characters and develop an understanding towards their fear for being 'unwound'. Outstanding.
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Kid, 12 years old
August 10, 2010
AGE
luv it
i just read it and luv it!!!!!!!!!! u hav 2 read it!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
it was awesome!
i loved it a lot because it made me think and it catches you off guard with so many different points of view
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AGE
A Great Sci-Fi for Teens
This book, although packed with messages--good ones, was very intriguing. The present-tense writing style and interesting plot made it hard to put down. I suggest it.
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AGE
AWESOME
First of all commonsense you don't know nothing about kids. I've heard worse language in my school. The book is amazing with twists in the plot. I read it in a day, I coundnt put it down. The thought about unwinding is unique. The thought you could be going to school one and to harvest camp the next is scary and thrilling. And a new play on terrorism just makes it my faverate book yet! Take that commonsense!
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AGE
Three generations LOVED it!
I (grandma) LOVED the book as did my 15 year old grandson and his old mother. It is extremely well written with absolutely delicious descriptions, great building of characters, fascinating concept and full of "discussable" moral dilemmas. Grandson and I "read" this via audio book while on the road and couldn't wait to get back in the car to read some more! We were so disappointed the book ended because we wanted MORE of these characters! I recommend this to anybody 13 and up...parents should read it as well as it has many great opportunities for starting parent-child conversations, discussions of values and thought-provoking possibilities! My grandson, a voracious reader puts this book at the top of his favorites list as do I!
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AGE
Awesome book!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Language, violence, ect. isn't that bad, but I recomend this book to kids ages 10 and up.
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AGE
Great for 13+
I personally loved it! Although this book does bring you down. I mean, after all parents do condemn their own kids to death. The role models (some of them) are positive because they fighting for what they believe in.
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| Author: | Neal Shusterman |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Publisher: | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication date: | November 1, 2007 |
| Number of pages: | 335 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 13 - 13 |
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