BOOK REVIEW: Rough Draft

1. Find out about the author. How did they end up writing this particular book? How is the author's life reflected in the book?

2. What was the author's purpose(s) in writing this book, and how can you tell? How well was this purpose achieved?

3. How would you describe the author's style of writing? What's your opinion of the style?

• You must include a passage or two from the text if you choose this question.

“Neal Shusterman’s novel “Unwind” explores the aftermath of just such a division. In an undated future, far enough away for iPods to be sold at antique stores, the Heartland War has devastated the United States. To negotiate a peace between the Life Army and the Choice Brigade, the federal government has outlawed abortion but instituted the practice of “unwinding,” or retroactive pregnancy termination. Before the age of 18, any teenager, at the discretion of a parent or guardian, can be killed and disassembled, with his or her organs going to the sick and injured.”

In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away. In Unwind, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award winner Neal Shusterman challenges readers' ideas about life -- not just where life begins, and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive.

"...One thing you learn when you've lived as long as I have-people aren't all good, and people aren't all bad. We move in and out of darkness and light all of our lives. Right now, I'm pleased to be in the light."

This quote is also a reason to why Neal Shusterman writes the novel Unwind. In opinion, Neal's relationship with this quote seems to reflect more on Neal's understanding and view upon what is known as the present is a shadow/light covered moment.

Also another reason why Neal wrote this novel is in his brief and quick interview about the book. This interview can be located in the first link below.

Sources:

http://www.storyman.com/books/unwind.html

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/19564.Neal_Shusterman

Basic Book Review

1. Find out about the author. How did they end up writing this particular book? How is the author's life reflected in the book?

2. What was the author's purpose(s) in writing this book, and how can you tell? How well was this purpose achieved?

“Neal Shusterman’s novel “Unwind” explores the aftermath of just such a division. In an undated future, far enough away for iPods to be sold at antique stores, the Heartland War has devastated the United States. To negotiate a peace between the Life Army and the Choice Brigade, the federal government has outlawed abortion but instituted the practice of “unwinding,” or retroactive pregnancy termination. Before the age of 18, any teenager, at the discretion of a parent or guardian, can be killed and disassembled, with his or her organs going to the sick and injured.”

In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away. In Unwind, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award winner Neal Shusterman challenges readers' ideas about life -- not just where life begins, and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive.

"...One thing you learn when you've lived as long as I have-people aren't all good, and people aren't all bad. We move in and out of darkness and light all of our lives. Right now, I'm pleased to be in the light."

This quote is also a reason to why Neal Shusterman writes the novel Unwind. In opinion, Neal's relationship with this quote seems to reflect more on Neal's understanding and view upon what is known as the present is a shadow/light covered moment.

Also another reason why Neal wrote this novel is in his brief and quick interview about the book. This interview can be located in the first link below.

Sources:

http://www.storyman.com/books/unwind.html

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/19564.Neal_Shusterman

Vignette Project Review

Strolling threw these wonderful Vignettes one that really stood out to me was a Vignette that Fermin Carrera had done, the Vignette that I choose out of the other was Fermin's post about the subject of Gangs, thier colors, actions upon others, and classification between each other, this Vignette is "Pandillas en East Oakland."

East Oakland is where I stay. Home to three Latino gangs, Border Brothers (BBs), Nortenos (chaps, Nortes, X4) and Surenos (X3). Yea I Know about this. I’ve been around Nortes and Border Brothers before, but I’m not gang affiliated. Yea I know the gangs signs, but won’t throw em up where I stay at. I might get shot and killed.

In this first CD that Fermin accomplishes, I figured that the symbol in his Vignette is Gangs and how they classify them selves to differ than the other gangs which are Border Brothers (BBs), Nortenos (chaps, Nortes, X4) and Surenos (X3). The following inflected symbol in this Vignette does not connect to anything in the other Vignettes. So I figured this wasn't a symbol for the following vingettes, however I figured that this symbol may only reflect to this Vignette in particular.

Reading more deply and clearly into Fermins Vignette, I Found that thier is indeed a connecting symbol that applys to all of Fermins Following Vignettes, and no these vingetes aren't Guns, or Gangs, it's not even about sketching or even ovens and bass. The following Vignettes are examples or more like clues of the Vignette symbol.

Gunshots at night or even in the plain day. Yes this Is tough living in a city where all this shit happens. Drive bys near my house and all I can say is “DAMN”. Gangs shoot and kill to prove a point. That point is states to not mess with them. This ain't a surprise for me, This is just East Oakland, and I got to deal with it.

When it comes to playing bass, my godfather is a beast. I’ve seen him play before and sometimes, I don’t even know what notes he’s playing because he’s just so fast. But soon, I’ll be just like him, I’ll be the toddler running, skipping, and jumping everywhere.

Animation is my thing. I hope to major in it. I know that I can because I just love to draw. My inspiration was Dragon Ball z, my all time favorite cartoons. Considered to be epic animation. Drawing is my favorite thing to do and someday, I’ll be famous for my work.

His Symbol is staying alive and surviving. However, in other words, his symbol is learning and benefitting from others, so he can build on and become even better. I believe Fermin has strong potential and will become famous for what ever it is he decides to do. Whether thats animation, bass, or even some type of force against gangs and teaching youth that a neighborhood of gangs shouldn't motivate a person to join one, it should teach them that they must become stronger and learn from others mistakes.