Shusterman, Neal.
UNWIND
New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2007
IL YA
ISBN 1416912045

(4 booktalks)

IMHO the most terrifying science fiction stories are the ones that are most similar to our own contemporary world. Here’s the scenario for Unwind: a civil war was fought between Pro-life and Pro-choice forces with an end result more chilling than either side could have imagined. Abortion is now strictly illegal, but between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, a parent or the government may choose to retroactively 'abort' a child. Teens have no legal rights and can be sent to “Harvest Farms” where their body parts are parceled out to others in need through a process called “unwinding”. Unwinding at the end of the day? NOT a good thing.
If a kid is in trouble a lot, or an orphan who is an expense for the state, they’re expendable. For totally different reasons, three teens find themselves on the way to a “harvest farm” and end up in a fight for their lives. This is an exciting and thought-provoking story of survival.  (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Awards Program, 2009-2010)

Booktalk #2

Imagine a society in which adults pick and chose who is worthy of living and who is not? In some cases, your own parents have signed away your life so your body can be harvested and distributed to more “worthier” people? Or maybe you are the child of religious fanatics who believe this is an honorable destiny for their child, in the name of religion? Equally unfortunate are those who have no parents and are living off of society, and are handed over to be harvested so the cost of taking care of you can be cut? Would you be brave enough to escape? Do you believe you have the courage and instincts to survive and fight for your life?    (Rhode Island Teen Book Award nominee, 2010)

Booktalk #3

Welcome to a future world where your parents can send you to be "unwound". Due to the Bill of Life being passed, the Unwind (teen) is taken in and every part of them is harvested and will go on to be transplanted into the living. It does not qualify as "killing" because the organs are taken while you are still alive.

Connor has just found out that he is scheduled to become an Unwind and he tries to escape. He meets up with Risa and Lev who are also escapees, but Lev may not be true to his word.

This is a fast paced, gruesome thriller. Highly recommended (Definitely for older teens)
Reviewed by Amy Denniff for Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award

Booktalk #4

In the future, parents have the option of having their teenagers “unwound” or “retroactively aborted” where all their body parts and organs are transplanted into needy recipients. Connor, Risa, and Lev narrowly escape being unwound and search for a safe haven amid betrayal, political intrigue, and harrowing, non-stop flights and fights.  (Florida Teen Reads nominee, 2010)