The Unwanteds, Book 1
By Patricia Tauzer,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Magical fantasy has peril, battles, positive messages.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
Where to Read
Community Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
More mature than you think
Report this review
:) :(
Report this review
What's the Story?
Quill is a gray, oppressive world where -- on one day each year -- 13-year-olds are separated into three castes: Wanted, Necessaries, and Unwanted. Wanteds go to the Academy, Necessaries get to work, and the Unwanteds, mostly creative kids, are sent to the Death Farm to be thrown into a lake of boiling oil. Told from the point of view of one boy, Alex, marked Unwanted because he draws pictures in the mud, the story really begins when the Unwanteds arrive at the Death Farm and instead discover a place called Artime, which is very different from their terrible expectations. There, they meet Marcus Today, the magician-leader of Artime, who has created a world where each individual is valued and encouraged to grow. But it's not long before Alex and his fellow Unwanteds will have to use their creativity in a violent battle between the two societies.
Is It Any Good?
The beginning chapter is a bit shocking, though most kids, especially those who love touching the edges of terror, will find themselves pulled into the story immediately. The rest is filled with fast-paced action and magic, and kids who were labeled as "Unwanted" are empowered through their own talents. The writing is not complicated, which makes the story approachable for reluctant readers. More mature readers may wish the characters, societies, and plot points were a bit more developed. Overall, this is an entertaining read: the characters are likeable, the good guys win, and the message is a positive one.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about dystopian novels and fantasy books. What makes these books so intriguing? Do dark fantasy worlds help us talk about fears and terrors we might have?
This book grew out of the author's concern that the art and music classes were being cut from her children's school. She said that seemed like a punishment for the creative kids. Have you seen this happen at your school? Should schools offer more art and music, or stick to more practical subjects?
Book Details
- Author: Lisa McMann
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Aladdin
- Publication date: August 30, 2011
- Number of pages: 400
- Last updated: January 16, 2016
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Read
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate