unwind by Neal Shusterman

     This week I read the book Unwind by Neal Shusterman. The concept of this book was very interesting. The idea that abortions would not be aloud, but between the ages of 13 to 18 you could unwind your child’s body is mind blowing. How could you ever sign away your child to be torn apart and given out to various people. I mean at least people’s lives are being saved. Though when you think about it they are just taking away one life to save another. Is that really any better? The main theme is this novel is the idea of pro life and pro choice. This is show since the parents are given the option to unwind their children to help save lives. Some people even have kids for the sole purpose of being unwound once they turn 13. This is seen in the character Lev, he was the tenth child in his family and was born just to be unwound. Though his parents did not keep the fact that he would be unwound a secret, because of this Lev made it seem as if it was an honor that he was going to be unwound and was gladly going to go. 

     I felt all of the character developed in their own ways throughout the novel. Connor developed because he started out as somewhat of a problem child because he was getting into fights and because of this was signed off to be unwound. Then on his journey of running away from being unwound he found his true purpose, this was to help those that were like him and become the admiral for the graveyard (where those who were going to be unwound stayed until they were 18). Risa developed from a girl that was always trying hard enough to be the bottom bunch of children so that she would not be given up to be unwound. After her journey she also found her purpose at the graveyard and also refused to be given new body parts when she became paralyzed because she stuck up for what she believed in. Lev developed from being expected to be unwound to turning into someone with explosive fluid in him thus not allowing him to be unwound. The brain washing that his parents had thrust upon him slowly leaves him. 

     This can reveal that in the future the world can take a weird turn that could never be expected. If this became a reality no one would be safe until they were 18, making everyone trying to act on their best behavior then going crazy and revealing their true selves once they turned 18. Though the idea that a parent would sign away their child’s life seems unthinkable. 

     This appeals to adolescents since it targets their age group. Thinking that their parents could sign away their life after one fight they had is a game changer. They would literally be in control of your life and if you would go on living this way or in multiple people. I feel that this would appeal to them since it is a serious issue that is an alternative to abortion and this is the age group where you start thinking about these issues.

Rating: B+